Well I suppose it had to happen sooner or later, I got caught out at a junction and due to some evasive action the chain jammed in the front derailleur. Nasty sounds and a big clunk meant the whole front mech was in a bit of a state. Managed to jury rig the gear into something I could get home on but the bike is now in the workshop. Looks like a new front mech is needed and there are a few other faults (headset bearings and the gear cables are shot) So I will get it repaired and get me back on the road ASAP. Half tempted to upgrade and use the current bike as a run around / commuter. Will have to check the bank balance before I make that decision.

Well, a few days of just the normal commute to work. There was a break in the weather so I took the opportunity to take in a 20mile ride after work. The route has some nice hills and climbs (which I need to get some practice on). Things are getting much easier the more time I spend on the bike. Have signed up for a number of sportives which start soon. So check back for some photos and updates on these soon.

With a break in the weather I got a chance to get out in the “Sun” (a balmy 8 degrees Celsius…has spring arrived ?) So a nice ride out from Camberley to Alton and back was the plan for the day. With the bike all ready and a some breakfast fuel loaded in my guts off I went. 1.8 miles in (just as I am getting warmed up) I notice the tell tale feeling of a front wheel flat. I must have done something bad in a previous life, I am thinking to myself as I am once again by the side of the road, bike upside down, wheel off and messing about with inner tubes and puncture repair kits. I get the puncture fixed, and get the tire up to pressure with my nice new mini pump and away we go.

Total Punctures on training rides = 3
Inner tubes used so far = 2

Getting out into the back lanes through Crondall and onto Well I make some good time. (although I am very conscious about the road surface and getting another flat, as I don’t have a spare inner tube now). I make it to Alton and pick up “cycle route 23” which cuts me through to Four Marks. Well it should do until the cycle path turns into a track .. and then a muddy track .. and then into a forest path. Now …being on a road bike with nice thin tires is great for bowling along a country lane, but off-road its a nightmare and the bike is all over the place.  I make it back onto the road after 2 miles of hell and vow never to follow a “cycle path” again. A quick stop for lunch near a bike shop, where I get my tire up to full pressure with a borrowed pump and spend 40 minutes picking mud, pine cones, and all sorts of stuff out of my brakes and gears. I return to Camberley avoiding the “cycle route” incident free, amazed at the number of cyclists who are out must have spotted at least 20.

Total distance covered was 60 miles (just over half of what I need to cover on the day)

Well its a not been the best week so far for training rides, just the basic commute to work and back, I hate cycling with about 3 layers on, but its so cold. I thought I might as well devote some time time raising some money. So I fired up the old Twitter and sent out some tweets to see if I can get some famous support. If I get a mention from anyone famous I am gonna post their picture on the fundraising page. Stay tuned.!.. if the weather clears up I will be out on a longer ride this weekend.