Here I am again in Brazil, and given the time difference it is likely tomorrow already in the UK. But this is still my ride today, and a bit of other stuff related to riding too.
Last year, I did try to buy tyres and pedals and a saddle to suit me and the bike I bought while I was here. It was not possible, any way I tried, so when I returned to England, I bought the stuff. Last Monday the trip back here started and the only thing customs were upset about ( in Manchester ) was the little spanner for tensioning the Brooks saddle. OK bin that, I have a few. So, arriving here I knew I needed a pedal spanner and a new seat post. Decathlon have a branch fairly close that efficiently provided what I asked for, and also introduced me to a local Audax rider. There may be ordinary rides in view, see how things go, I ain’t up for Audax rides in Portuguese yet.
The tyres, Durano DD for some odd reason, went on reasonably easily. The seat post, after today’s short ride, does exactly what it was bought for. A very nice minimal design that just, well, works. The pedal spanner is much better than the one I have in Leeds, but one is needed so rarely.
So, the ride. The hill down from the apartment is just the same as ever. So much so that the camera had wilted on its mount by half way down. You will have to wait for the next ride for the proper video of the descent of this particular road. Because it is the first ride here since last May, and also hoping the new stuff was going to work right, I just took the easy pedal along Beira Mar to the Hercilio Luz bridge.
There are two bridges, in fact. An old unused one which is being cared for, presumably so it does not fall down and kill folk, and the more recent one which is in need of repairs. The bill for which repairs is causing some raised tempers in certain quarters. Anyway, betwixt the bridges I stopped, fettled a few bits that had not been used for nine months, and turned around for home. I had forgotten water and also something to stop my arms turning lobster red. Ten and a half miles only in thirty two degrees of warm. And when I reached the bottom of the hill that the ride started with I pedalled pitifully few yards up it. Still, twas good to have a ride, even if I could not ride all the way to the front door. Big grin was there anyway.
And a map, not really inspiring but I should find that sort of route . . .
Last year, I did try to buy tyres and pedals and a saddle to suit me and the bike I bought while I was here. It was not possible, any way I tried, so when I returned to England, I bought the stuff. Last Monday the trip back here started and the only thing customs were upset about ( in Manchester ) was the little spanner for tensioning the Brooks saddle. OK bin that, I have a few. So, arriving here I knew I needed a pedal spanner and a new seat post. Decathlon have a branch fairly close that efficiently provided what I asked for, and also introduced me to a local Audax rider. There may be ordinary rides in view, see how things go, I ain’t up for Audax rides in Portuguese yet.
The tyres, Durano DD for some odd reason, went on reasonably easily. The seat post, after today’s short ride, does exactly what it was bought for. A very nice minimal design that just, well, works. The pedal spanner is much better than the one I have in Leeds, but one is needed so rarely.
So, the ride. The hill down from the apartment is just the same as ever. So much so that the camera had wilted on its mount by half way down. You will have to wait for the next ride for the proper video of the descent of this particular road. Because it is the first ride here since last May, and also hoping the new stuff was going to work right, I just took the easy pedal along Beira Mar to the Hercilio Luz bridge.
There are two bridges, in fact. An old unused one which is being cared for, presumably so it does not fall down and kill folk, and the more recent one which is in need of repairs. The bill for which repairs is causing some raised tempers in certain quarters. Anyway, betwixt the bridges I stopped, fettled a few bits that had not been used for nine months, and turned around for home. I had forgotten water and also something to stop my arms turning lobster red. Ten and a half miles only in thirty two degrees of warm. And when I reached the bottom of the hill that the ride started with I pedalled pitifully few yards up it. Still, twas good to have a ride, even if I could not ride all the way to the front door. Big grin was there anyway.
And a map, not really inspiring but I should find that sort of route . . .
misty at the start but once the sun fought its way through it was very warm, had no set route in mind as I did not wish to put Karon under any pressure as her first ride I could tell she was feeling a little apprehensive 
..lol
