This week's project was building this steel frame track bike for the Manchester velodrome.
More to follow in a later post...
Friday, 28 February 2014
Countdown to the Cote de Holme Moss
With the Tour's visit to Holmfirth on 6th July only a few months away, I decided to ride Holme Moss on the 6th of every month leading up to the day itself. Now, after the cold winters we've been having, I thought it might be interesting to see the changing seasons (remember Holme Moss was blocked by snow for several weeks in late March and April last year) as well as the transformation that will happen with 100,000 people on the Moss on the day. But so far, it has just been grey and very windy...but still beautiful none the less!
Thursday, 27 February 2014
Stage 2 of the Tour de France 2014 - Part 2
Following on from an earlier post, this article covers the second part of Stage 2 of this year's Tour and it is very exciting as is it is on local roads. Now I have to own up that I did this ride back in October last year. It was actually my birthday ride. And my birthday present? That was vehicle support for the ride with spare bottles, food, mechanical assistance and photographer just like a pro!
So this ride picks up the route in the Holmfirth, loops over the hills into Derbyshire for a (very!) short section before heading back into Yorkshire towards Sheffield. It is a tough route, certainly the toughest section of the whole of the Grand Depart, and not just for the amount of climbing. Large sections are technical and steep, involving racing on narrow, twisting and rough roads. It is going to be exciting come 6th July...
So this ride picks up the route in the Holmfirth, loops over the hills into Derbyshire for a (very!) short section before heading back into Yorkshire towards Sheffield. It is a tough route, certainly the toughest section of the whole of the Grand Depart, and not just for the amount of climbing. Large sections are technical and steep, involving racing on narrow, twisting and rough roads. It is going to be exciting come 6th July...
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Choosing a New Bike - Introduction
I often get asked about choosing a new bike. Unsurprisingly, there is no set answer to suit everyone and it depends on the particular circumstances of the customer and the intended use. But I thought it might be useful to write about some of the common things that get discussed for future reference.
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Stage 2 of the Tour de France 2014 - Part 1
The route of this stage leaves York, skirts the bottom edge of the Dales before turning South through the South Pennines and Peak District to Sheffield. Like before, I wanted to look at the key parts of the stage where the action might happen on the day.
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Setting new cleats
I've had the same brand and model of road shoes for over six years now (not the same pair though!), so it's been a long time since I've had to set the cleat position on a different make. And with some new shoes, I've been struggling to find a comfortable position for the cleats. So after several abortive test rides, it was time to be a little more scientific.
Looking at my old shoes, I found the angle between the cleats and the centre line of my feet was quite different on the left and right shoe. I guess it happened over time, and I simply copied the position from one set of shoes to the next. I've never ridden fixed cleats though, so my feet have probably being able to find their natural position.
On the new shoes, I've aligned the cleat angle on both shoes parallel to the centre-line of my feet. I wondered where the centre actually was though, so I stood on a piece of paper in a 'natural' position with feet under hips and traced the outline of my feet. I've then imagined two parallel lines over the tracings, roughly perpendicular to my hips, and set the line of the new cleats to match. The line is similar to the old right cleat.
Forward and back adjustment is set to match my old cleats, which for me is the first joint of of the big toe about 10mm forward of the pedal axle. (This seems to work for me, though there are lots of different opinions.) I did this taking lots of measurements between the cleat and the the toe and heel on the new and old shoes, and also by marking the position of the big toe joint on the shoe. As many measurements as possible seems best. Side-to-side adjustment is also to match the old shoes as closely as possible.
So, we'll see how the new shoes feel with this position. First impression is much better, but a long ride is needed to really tell. I might take the old ones with me just in case!
Looking at my old shoes, I found the angle between the cleats and the centre line of my feet was quite different on the left and right shoe. I guess it happened over time, and I simply copied the position from one set of shoes to the next. I've never ridden fixed cleats though, so my feet have probably being able to find their natural position.
On the new shoes, I've aligned the cleat angle on both shoes parallel to the centre-line of my feet. I wondered where the centre actually was though, so I stood on a piece of paper in a 'natural' position with feet under hips and traced the outline of my feet. I've then imagined two parallel lines over the tracings, roughly perpendicular to my hips, and set the line of the new cleats to match. The line is similar to the old right cleat.
Forward and back adjustment is set to match my old cleats, which for me is the first joint of of the big toe about 10mm forward of the pedal axle. (This seems to work for me, though there are lots of different opinions.) I did this taking lots of measurements between the cleat and the the toe and heel on the new and old shoes, and also by marking the position of the big toe joint on the shoe. As many measurements as possible seems best. Side-to-side adjustment is also to match the old shoes as closely as possible.
So, we'll see how the new shoes feel with this position. First impression is much better, but a long ride is needed to really tell. I might take the old ones with me just in case!
Saturday, 24 August 2013
Stage 1 of the Tour de France 2014
Yesterday, I went to ride part of the first stage of next year's Tour. It's easier to do this than ride the whole stage - it means you can make a loop and start and finish at the same spot. You can pick the good bits too and avoid the inevitable sections of busy main roads that the race uses to link places together. I don't try to follow the exact route either. So, if there is a choice between a quiet country lane and a busier main road for the Tour, and they both go to the same place, then I will choose the quite lane every time.
So, I set off yesterday morning from Grassington with a good friend. The planned ride was to follow the Tour route over Kidstones to Aysgarth, then Butter Tubs, before making our way back from Muker via Hawes and Fleet Moss. So the route was ideal to look at the key climbs of Kidstones and Butter Tubs.
After a good 15km warm-up in Wharfedale on the minor road through Coniston (not the official route but a much nicer road to ride), the climbing starts at Buckstones with the ascent of Kidstones.
Now this is the first time I'd climbed Kidstones. It is a steady grade to start which meant a fast tempo for us helped by the tail wind. And by drafting a tractor and heavily laden trailer! A flatter section towards the pub at Cray - where we were distanced by the now faster moving tractor (I'd like to think we could have kept up if we wanted, but it was early in the ride to be going hard) - gives some respite before the steeper top section. It never feels that steep though, I think because of the hairpins and the interesting geology to look at - if you like that sort of thing. The steepest section is very short, and will be a sprint for the pros. Even we managed to sprint to the top, catching up and then overtaking the tractor!
The descent through Bishopdale to Aysgarth is fantastic and quick. Amazing scenery and a super fast twisty road. This is all going to add up to some fantastic helicopter shots next year, especially if the weather is good and the roads are dry. Once in Aysgarth, after cutting the corner after Grange Farm, the minor road through Askrigg is the better option. The next 15km or so shows off Wensleydale at it's best. Limestone drystone walls and barns in every field. It is a good chance to recover too before the second major climb of the day.
Butter Tubs is a well known climb in these parts. From Askrigg, it starts with a steep right turn, a shock to the legs after the tempo of the valley road. But the steep section is only short with the gradient easing at the first corner as you enter the wood, and this pattern sets the tempo for the climb. The road sign warns of grades up to 17%, which seems about right, but height is gained in three relatively short steps and the pros will sprint up these. If anyone is gapped, there are chances to re-group. Watch out for the cattle grid on the final steep section. Although challenging to keep momentum going over the grid, it marks the end of the steep grades and the start of the false flat to the summit. Big ring gears all the way if you're feeling strong!
Butter Tubs is the high point of the day at 526m. So it beats Holme Moss, my local big climb and the high spot of Stage 2, by a mere 2m!
The descent to Swaledale is going to be interesting. Grades of 25%, bends and narrow roads is going to make the racing exciting to say the least. At least the road will be swept for loose gravel, or at least I assume it will be, so the pros won't have to contend with this as well. It is going to be a sight to see large bunches descending these roads at speed. And making that sharp right turn at the bottom!
After Muker, we left the Tour route and headed back to Askrigg over Askrigg Common. This was a new road for me, and far and away the best of the day. So, go and ride this one if nothing else. After this, it was Fleet Moss into a stiff headwind. This was just payback for the helping hand earlier in the day. At least it was either steeply up or downhill most of the way back to Grassington!
Having ridden the Tour hills of Stage 1, I can't see them ruling out a sprint finish to this stage. Kidstones is neither long nor particularly steep and is on good tarmac and wide roads. I think I can see now why this road was chosen ahead of Fleet Moss, which could have been much more influential on the stage finish. Butter Tubs is a more severe test for most, but the steep sections are short for the pros and there should be the chance to regroup on the climb or the false flat to the top, or failing that on the flatter valley roads afterwards.
A break could and probably will go early in the stage given the nature of the route and the road conditions. They will have an advantage, probably as far as Swaledale, but once on the wider and flatter roads of the last 50km or so, odds are they will be reeled in. And I can see the sprinters being there in the bunch. So would anyone bet against Cavendish coming first in Harrogate, his mother's home town? Here's hoping for a GB yellow jersey in the Tour in Yorkshire.
Next: Stage 2 through the South Pennines.
So, I set off yesterday morning from Grassington with a good friend. The planned ride was to follow the Tour route over Kidstones to Aysgarth, then Butter Tubs, before making our way back from Muker via Hawes and Fleet Moss. So the route was ideal to look at the key climbs of Kidstones and Butter Tubs.
After a good 15km warm-up in Wharfedale on the minor road through Coniston (not the official route but a much nicer road to ride), the climbing starts at Buckstones with the ascent of Kidstones.
Now this is the first time I'd climbed Kidstones. It is a steady grade to start which meant a fast tempo for us helped by the tail wind. And by drafting a tractor and heavily laden trailer! A flatter section towards the pub at Cray - where we were distanced by the now faster moving tractor (I'd like to think we could have kept up if we wanted, but it was early in the ride to be going hard) - gives some respite before the steeper top section. It never feels that steep though, I think because of the hairpins and the interesting geology to look at - if you like that sort of thing. The steepest section is very short, and will be a sprint for the pros. Even we managed to sprint to the top, catching up and then overtaking the tractor!
The descent through Bishopdale to Aysgarth is fantastic and quick. Amazing scenery and a super fast twisty road. This is all going to add up to some fantastic helicopter shots next year, especially if the weather is good and the roads are dry. Once in Aysgarth, after cutting the corner after Grange Farm, the minor road through Askrigg is the better option. The next 15km or so shows off Wensleydale at it's best. Limestone drystone walls and barns in every field. It is a good chance to recover too before the second major climb of the day.
Butter Tubs is a well known climb in these parts. From Askrigg, it starts with a steep right turn, a shock to the legs after the tempo of the valley road. But the steep section is only short with the gradient easing at the first corner as you enter the wood, and this pattern sets the tempo for the climb. The road sign warns of grades up to 17%, which seems about right, but height is gained in three relatively short steps and the pros will sprint up these. If anyone is gapped, there are chances to re-group. Watch out for the cattle grid on the final steep section. Although challenging to keep momentum going over the grid, it marks the end of the steep grades and the start of the false flat to the summit. Big ring gears all the way if you're feeling strong!
Butter Tubs is the high point of the day at 526m. So it beats Holme Moss, my local big climb and the high spot of Stage 2, by a mere 2m!
The descent to Swaledale is going to be interesting. Grades of 25%, bends and narrow roads is going to make the racing exciting to say the least. At least the road will be swept for loose gravel, or at least I assume it will be, so the pros won't have to contend with this as well. It is going to be a sight to see large bunches descending these roads at speed. And making that sharp right turn at the bottom!
After Muker, we left the Tour route and headed back to Askrigg over Askrigg Common. This was a new road for me, and far and away the best of the day. So, go and ride this one if nothing else. After this, it was Fleet Moss into a stiff headwind. This was just payback for the helping hand earlier in the day. At least it was either steeply up or downhill most of the way back to Grassington!
Having ridden the Tour hills of Stage 1, I can't see them ruling out a sprint finish to this stage. Kidstones is neither long nor particularly steep and is on good tarmac and wide roads. I think I can see now why this road was chosen ahead of Fleet Moss, which could have been much more influential on the stage finish. Butter Tubs is a more severe test for most, but the steep sections are short for the pros and there should be the chance to regroup on the climb or the false flat to the top, or failing that on the flatter valley roads afterwards.
A break could and probably will go early in the stage given the nature of the route and the road conditions. They will have an advantage, probably as far as Swaledale, but once on the wider and flatter roads of the last 50km or so, odds are they will be reeled in. And I can see the sprinters being there in the bunch. So would anyone bet against Cavendish coming first in Harrogate, his mother's home town? Here's hoping for a GB yellow jersey in the Tour in Yorkshire.
Next: Stage 2 through the South Pennines.
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