Rock Shox fitted, but chain broken!!

With thanks to J for his help, the Rock Shox Psylo's are now fitted and I rode them to work today. They're plusher and more compliant than the XCR's, which means they bob a lot more than I'm used to. However, they're more progressive, which should mean they won't bottom out so easily.

Was looking forward to a bit of off-road on Monday, but as I tried to climb the bike up a couple of steps on the way home I snapped the chain :( Now I need to agonise whether I go for a full Deore LX groupset or just a chainset or just a chain? The gears are really worn, the derailleurs are out of true and the crank arms are still creaking slightly. I reckon the groupset could win it. Especially at £160!!

Oh, and I sailed through the 400 mile marker today :)

Result!!

A chat with my mountain biking next door neighbour and we came to the conclusion that there was way too little rebound in my shocks. And......it just so happenned he had a pair of Rock Shox Psylo's in his garage which he was about to chuck!! So, I now have them, with much thanks to J. Even though they're a bit elderly and 2nd hand and the paint job is a touch scabby, they should be a huge improvement on my basic Suntour XCR's. Maybe, I may not go over the handlebars quite so often!! Can't wait to get off-road again!!

Well that's a first for me! Wiped out by a car!

Riding back from work last night and this stupid bint pulled out in front of me then 100 yards down the road slammed on midway past overtaking a parked car to talk to someone. Of course I slammed into the back of her. STUPID COW! Bent both derallieurs. There was a plus side - my ribs didn't hurt. So perhaps they're almost mended. Sneezing still crucifies me!!

Done it. Now I've just got to get home again!!

Cycled in to work as challenged. I'm sure someone bet me I wouldn't - that should be worth a bag of sweets for the office!! A tad over 45 mins - which is an excellent time for me. Chuffed!

Challenge accepted!!

A conversation in work went along the lines:
I wonder if I can get up that hill and back in a lunch break.
No way, that'll take hours.
Oh I don't know, I think it should be possible.
No way, I bet you anything you can't.
Challenge accepted!

So, one evening when my ribs feel a bit better I'll do a test run up it.

Another recent development is the realisation that I could still do some tarmac rides while I nurse my rib cage back to health. So, on Saturday I did a test ride to work and back. It was fine, 9.75 miles in a hour dead. So last night I put the old Marigold Acnes back on (because they'll roll better than the Maxxis' on tarmac) and this morning I'll take a kit bag to work. Tomorrow, if the weather's OK-ish, I cycle to work.

Smashing through the 300 mile barrier!!

Tonight's ride means that's 300 miles since the end of January. Some (somewhat anal!!) stats:

• 300 miles in 29 rides
• average distance of my rides of 10.5 miles
• top max speed is 35.9mph which was down the hill approaching Kittle on the road from Blackpill
• my overall average speed is 5.6mph
• the longest ride was my Cardigan epic at 28.6 miles in 7 hours
• the top average speed on one ride (which was 100% tarmac) was 10.9mph
• weight lost 1.5 stone.
• Brake pad sets destroyed: coming up to 5!!
• 1 Bottom Bracket destroyed
• I think the SPD pedals may be on their way out.
• Punctures - lost count
• Max patches on a single tube - may be about 9!!

Overall I'm pretty pleased, but I'm celebrating with a sore knee and painful rib cage. Thought I'd ride some easy stuff this evening, but manged to bounce off a rock on a well known downhill and fall onto a bank against a tree stump. Bashed my ribs again and could barely breath for a minute or two. I don't half feel tender now!! I'm not sure if this won't put the kibosh on me riding the Black Mountains. Had my eye on Grwyne Fawr, known as Brown Trousers to off-roaders! If it doesn't happen I'm making a special trip up there when I'm a bit fitter.