Managed to get the last few bits and bobs for our trip last week and tackled installing the bike rack, panniers and new shortened stem last Thursday whilst the wife was out. It did not go as smoothly as expected because the bracket which attached to either side of the brakes was fouling on the calliper. After much measuring and bending i eventually installed it without stopping the caliper moving which i thought might be a good idea....
Then came the trial packing of the panniers from the list that has been circulating for the past few months on all the essentials required. Once
i managed to find everything and distributed the weight across the panniers it topped out at 6.5kg (less toiletries) so am happy i am already up on Neil by 1kg (including Crocs). All seemed pretty solid after a number of adjustment of the clips so that they came on and off easily but there was a significant increase in weight seeing as it was only 6.5kg. Here are the pics below of my bike fully loaded
Time for a practice run
As it was a nice evening on Friday i thought i would get some miles under my belt with loaded panniers. All seemed OK and the additional weight was not that noticeable apart from reduce braking efficiency when going down the hills and the need to drop a cog or too when climbing. After a number of miles i did start to feel it in the legs slightly but i managed to complete 35 miles without any dramas. We all agreed to do 2 days running this weekend so more was expected tomorrow
Saturday - 50 Miles
After a very good nights sleep as the wife and children had gone away to the seaside i did not even wake up until 9AM. Being fully rested i proceed to shed some more weight with a quick haircut which should have shed a few ounces are least. Need to consider the merit of a full body wax prior to L2P so that i am as light as possible!!!!!!!
Took a new route on Saturday for which i ended up taking a few more hills than i would have liked as i passed over the Chiltern Hills (clue was in the name). I was very happy that whilst on the climb to Amersham i easily went past a fellow female cyclist who looked very disappointed as she had not additional weight to carry.
I rewarded myself with a quick snack and also a replenishment of inner tubes as the 2nd factory fit tube that came with my bike both failed at the base of the valve by splitting wide open whilst checking pressures.
Took a slightly different route on the way home to notice that i was going to come up short on distance so took an additional loop and finished with a total of 47.69 miles with an average speed of 14.12 and a ride time of 3hr 22mins and ascended 1231 feet and descended 1264 feet.
I am happy that the 2 days went well especially it is more challenging to cover the miles when on your own.
I have my new bar tape to install this week now that i am happy with the stem and seat position and the elbow pain had reduced significantly to no more than i am sure is to be expected when on the roads for this long.
More to report later this week to keep the miles up in preparation of my holiday on the 18th.
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