It's a very long time since I've ridden my road bike, since I cannot manage to get the tyre back on if I have a puncture. (so can only ride it with John with me.) Since we tend to do Ebike rides together on a Sunday, and Gravel Bikes on our Monday rides in winter (due to the state of the roads), it never gets used.
So... John checked it over a few days ago, and I decided to give it a spin up to Binfield over Carters Hill today. But John was out on a club social ride this morning, so I waited until he got back.... just incase I needed to phone a friend. 😉 He joined a "green" club ride this morning, averaging 13.5mph.
I set off, with the saddle feeling slightly weird in a lower position to my normal ride position, but within a couple of minutes it all felt right. Gears super smooth, and although block brakes, seems to be quite responsive.
Fighting into wind all the way to the top of Carters Hill, my average speed was 12.5mph 😂. Then down to Binfield Church and up to Jack O'Newbury. Easy.
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| Pretty bank of Primula along Wicks Green, Binfield. |
A short stretch on Forrest Road, carefully watching out for some awful potholes, and into Binfield Road. I noticed a lot of very black smoke in the far distance about half way along Binfield Road, and thought this doesn t look good. I thought maybe an accident on the motorway.
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| Dark clouds of smoke in the distance much dark at times as I peddled down Binfield Road. |
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| Just before the motorway bridge, I had to stop as two fire engines had blocked the road, and jumped out to open a gate to a farm road. |
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| Celebrating with a Chocolate Ice Cream at home.😎 |
Must take it out more often, although atm, some of my rides are using tracks since the weather has been so dry.