My first metric ton on the Essex Countryside ride

[SteveBM]

Completed my fist metric ton on today's Essex Countryside event
Am really pleased with my performance given the weather

Had two punctures on the route. Made me realise that I need to attend a cycle maintenance course. Many thanks to the good Samaritan who stopped to help me out. I really was useless

Onwards and upwards!

See you all on the London to Southend

 

[ianrauk]

Nice one Steve.
A great milestone...

re the punctures. Always a good idea to practice changing a tube at home.

And is that the London Southend FNRttC?
If so.. see you there.

 

[SteveBM]

Had to google FNRttC! Didn't even know they did one of these! I'm on the Bike Events British Heart Foundation event. The FNRttC looks interesting though!

 

[ianrauk]

Had to google FNRttC! Didn't even know they did one of these! I'm on the Bike Events British Heart Foundation event. The FNRttC looks interesting though!

aah.. ok.. good luck with that then. Not that you will need it. After doing a 100k L2S will be a breeze in the park for you/

 

[Rob500]

Well done on the 100K Steve.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Made me realise that I need to attend a cycle maintenance course.

When I started I had to look up how to change a tube too.

There are loads of useful youtube vids, but best of all is the experience here especially with some of the more obscure problems.. With what I have picked up I can change wheels, tyres tubes, cables shifters and set up the shifters. In fact, Im 100% sure I could buile a bike up except for any bearings that need pressing, and thats only because Idont have the tool.

If you put a little effort into learning you can save a load of cash by doing jobs yourself and picking bits of experience from here.

 

[SteveBM]

When I started I had to look up how to change a tube too.

There are loads of useful youtube vids, but best of all is the experience here especially with some of the more obscure problems.. With what I have picked up I can change wheels, tyres tubes, cables shifters and set up the shifters. In fact, Im 100% sure I could buile a bike up except for any bearings that need pressing, and thats only because Idont have the tool.

If you put a little effort into learning you can save a load of cash by doing jobs yourself and picking bits of experience from here.

Yeah, makes loads of sense. Looks like I need confidence, technique and a bit of strength

 

[djone101]

Well done Steve - I was there - weather was not good was it! Seemed ok until we turned into the wind after Boreham, then it felt like it was only ever up hill and into a strong head wind. Got soaked about 5 miles from the end too. Still it was a good route - I'm a local and didn't know many of the roads they used. Next up for me is Essex Castle Ride 75 miles this time, hoping for better weather....

 

[Brad]

Well done buddy! Now onto the LEJOG

 

[SteveBM]

Well done Steve - I was there - weather was not good was it! Seemed ok until we turned into the wind after Boreham, then it felt like it was only ever up hill and into a strong head wind. Got soaked about 5 miles from the end too. Still it was a good route - I'm a local and didn't know many of the roads they used. Next up for me is Essex Castle Ride 75 miles this time, hoping for better weather....

Weather was pretty crap! ( just re-read this post and can't believe I wrote Good rather than Crap!!!!)
A very kind lady at the Pleshey (?) Village Hall let us poor cyclists take cover from the hailstones until the worst had passed which was very kind.
I was then the subject of a great "You've Been Framed" moment, when a passing car drove through a large puddle and absolutely soaked me. I had to stop to empty water from my shoes and wring out my socks!

@Brad - haha, had to Google LEJOG mate! Not quite ready for that yet. London to Southend is my next "biggy". Looking forward to that. Will be packing 3 tubes just in case!

 

[Blue]

Well done. The first 100 miler will be a breeze now.