When considering the content of this page, for inspiration I viewed other cycling blogs which seemed to be very scientific. Having not the slightest bit of interest in other peoples average speeds or how many miles they have covered, I doubted anyone else would want to view a running log of my stats. I will mainly concentrate on what interests me, which is getting out there and exploring the best routes and anything else that feels important along the way.
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Knutsford - Arley - loop (25 miles)
I'm really enjoying these evening rides to blow off the cobwebs. Really building up my stamina now and overtaking more people than are overtaking me! This loop is my current favourite. Starting off from the layby at Ye Olde no3 pub, on the Lymm road by the Bridgewater canal, turning onto the countrylanes towards Bucklow Hill, then through Rostherne and Tatton park. At Knutsford, turn towards Tabley hill. Head towards Pickmere, then turn right onto Budworth Rd, passing Heyrose Golf club. Turn right onto Budworth Heath and carry on following signs for Arley. On reaching Arley road turn left and then right onto Reedgate lane. This is a winding road that eventually brings you out onto Swineyard lane. You can build up some real speed towards the A50, where you turn right. At Hoo Green, turn left at the Kilton pub. Where the road forks take the left lane towards chapel lane, where you turn left and then take the first right. Now you have completed a full loop and are on the downhill road back towards the starting point.
Lymm - Tatton Park - loop
I'm really enjoying these evening rides to blow off the cobwebs. Really building up my stamina now and overtaking more people than are overtaking me! This loop is my current favourite. Starting off from the layby at Ye Olde no3 pub, on the Lymm road by the Bridgewater canal, turning onto the countrylanes towards Bucklow Hill, then through Rostherne and Tatton park. At Knutsford, turn towards Tabley hill. Head towards Pickmere, then turn right onto Budworth Rd, passing Heyrose Golf club. Turn right onto Budworth Heath and carry on following signs for Arley. On reaching Arley road turn left and then right onto Reedgate lane. This is a winding road that eventually brings you out onto Swineyard lane. You can build up some real speed towards the A50, where you turn right. At Hoo Green, turn left at the Kilton pub. Where the road forks take the left lane towards chapel lane, where you turn left and then take the first right. Now you have completed a full loop and are on the downhill road back towards the starting point.
Lymm - Tatton Park - loop
I created this route myself because it's near to where I live, but you can do it as well, as the starting point is the Barn Owl Inn car park, next to the Bridgewater canal. There are a couple of small climbs from Lymm to High Legh, and Rostherne, but the majority of the ride is flat with quiet country lanes and little traffic. Tatton park is an ideal place for a pit-stop should you require one. The full distance is 28 kilometers, so a perfect saturday morning ride.
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What to buy a road cyclist for Christmas?
If you have a partner, spouse of relative that loves road cycling and you're already on the hunt for Christmas stocking fillers, let me give you some inspiration on some items that a road cyclist might quite like to unwrap on Christmas day.
Avoid those bad after shaves, knee-high socks and K-Tel CD compilations and put your money into one of these gifts and you'll be assured of a big happy smiling roadie. They will be super impressed at your insider knowledge of all things cycling and you'll be guaranteed a brownie point filled Christmas day.
I'll keep adding items as I think of them or come across them, additionally if you have any contributions, just leave a comment.
Gifts Below £10
- Book - Tyler Hamilton - The Secret Race. Undoubtedly the book of the moment, you will seriously impress your cycling partner with your insider knowledge buying this as a gift. The book that brought down Lance. Less than a tenner on Amazon.
- Bike Floss. It's good to floss and these will make quick work of a dirty cassette or hard to reach area on the bike, a simple idea but really effective idea. Brilliant stocking filler from the kids at only £3.99 a set via Purple Harry.
- Condor Race Socks. Super comfortable, got loads of pairs of these - bargain £7.49 a pair. Details here.
- Scarf/Buff. On cold days this is an ideal cycling neck scarf to keep the chills away. Less than a tenner on Wiggle.
- Purple Harry cleaner and degreaser. To keep the pride and joy clean, you need a decent cleaning spray, Purple Harry do the trick with this cleaner/degreaser less than a tenner. Buy here.
- Garmin Edge 800 silicon cover. If your partner has got one of these gadgets on their bike, this silicon cover will make sure it stays in tip top condition. Less than a tenner on Amazon.
- Chain links. You will blow your partner away with these, they'll think you've been on a service course. Everyone should carry one of these in their saddle bag in case of a chain break. You just need to know what groupset they run on the bike - Shimano/SRAM or Campagnolo and hey presto. Available on Wiggle for under a tenner.
- Chamois cream. Look away now those of a nervous disposition. This is cream that you wallop all round your nether regions to help prevent saddle sore. Essential for those long rides and this product from udderly smooth was developed for milking cows. Enough said, a great stocking filler for under a tenner. Available from Wiggle.
- High Five Zero tablets. Great electrolyte additive to water. Around £5.50 a tube, someone will thank you for these. Available from Wiggle.
- Space Blanket. With accidents on the rise and slippery roads, you never know when you are going to come across an incident. A critical thing is to be able to keep someone warm and for around £3.00-£5.00 you can buy a space blanket off of e-bay which you can keep in your back pocket whilst cycling - it could be a life saver.
- Outwet balaclava. Walk into a coffee shop wearing this and they'll be pushing the panic button thinking their about to be turned over! I swear by one of these in the winter to keep the cold out, they even have a breathing hole bit for those really cold days. Great gift for under a tenner, you can find them on the Planet X website.
- DeFeet DuraGlove Wool Glove. Brilliant Merino gloves at a bargin price of £13.49, look at the delight on your partners face as they rip these open. Details here.
- Knog Lights. Great little lights to have on your bike for emergency lighting when you get caught out. £17.50 on Wiggle.
- Sealskinz Skull Cap. Perfect to nip on under your helmet on those cold winter days cycling, it's waterproof too. Around £18.00 on Wiggle.
- DeFeet oversocks. For those days when it's cold, but not wet. Oversocks help keep your feet warm. Around £12.00 on Wiggle.
- Lezyne CO2 inflator. Punctures are a pain, getting yourself repaired and back on the road in the shortest possible time is easier with one of these CO2 inflators which will pump your tyre up to pressure with one squirt. Less than £20 on Wiggle, re-fills around a tenner.
- Crudguard Mudguards. Easiest way to get mudguards on a road bike which doesn't have mounting lugs. Keeps your feet dry and water out of the rider behinds eyes. You'd seriously impress your partner with these. Around £27.00 on Wiggle.
- Inner tubes. Every cyclist always needs inner tubes, a cheap wrap up which will not be going back with the reciept. I think this Continental five pack is a great gift at under £20, order the 700x20-25mm with a 42mm valve. On Wiggle here.
- Super B Torque Wrench. It's good to torque and this is easily the best value mini-torque wrench out there. Great to keep your stem and seatpost perfectly tightened for around £15. Available here.
- Road ID bracelet. Detailing all the riders contact and health information on a wrist bracelet, essential in case of accident in allowing emergency crews to quickly contact loved ones and identify any existing conditions/allergies. Order here (comes from the USA, so give it plenty of time).
- The Obree Way training manual. The definitive book from one of the UK's greatest ever cyclists. A legend revealing his methods, this book is available at around £35, but you can also get it as a much cheaper download. Trust me, this one will be a winner. Available from Obrees website.
- British Cycling Silver Membership. If you're new to road cycling it's important you're insured and this silver membership provides some of the essential cover you'll need plus a stack of other benefits. £36 for a year. Details here.
- Fitness assessment with Total Cycling Performance. Guaranteed delight on Christmas day, this is the one that your partner will rave about for years. Time with a cycling coach, a full fitness assessment and training plan. It will make them faster on the bike and totally tick a box for a cycling obsessed partner. More details on their website.
- Cyclops turbo trainer. As the winter beds in, carry on watching your favourite TV by sending your partner into the garage to train on a static trainer. A must have for anyone wanting to seriously train throughout the winter. This is a good one for around £135 on Wiggle. (I'd also recommend you buy the riser block for £17.00).
Source - http://philsroadbikingblog.blogspot.co.uk/
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Useful links
http://www.cycle-route.com/
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/
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Useful links
http://www.cycle-route.com/
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/
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