The Beast gets his first 2012 outing!

We had our first ride on the tandem for this year (now christened The Beast - don't ask!) on Sunday morning. Delighted to say that the modifications so far - improved braking by about 50%, a higher steering position for me as the driver and new inner and outer cables all around - have made a huge difference to the bike.  Handling is better as well - it was just a shame we only had time for 7 miles, as we had other commitments.

So the only thing to try and sort now is the gearing. I am convinced that somewhere out there is a Stronglight 80 crankset with a 30 tooth chainring to replace our 34 tooth.  Anybody reading this who might be able to help, please get in contact via the comment box at the bottom of this blog.

We are now away for a while, but after that, proper training begins with a vengeance and the mileage counter will start to roll up.  Pictured is The Major and Gilly, wearing appropriate clothing for a cold Sunday morning!!

Training run from Plymouth to Looe.

We picked a glorious day for our run, although it was really quite cold out of the sun. Caught the train from Liskeard to Plymouth where we met our friend Mike. Then it was short jog to the ferry at Stonehouse and across the water to Cremyll to start the coastpath route. It was fairly easy running to begin with, and we were able to enjoy the fantastic views and take some photo's. Things got a little more difficult when we got to the firing range at Freathy, and we must have missed the main coastpath as we ended up running along the beach, and then scrambling over some seriously slippery rocks which was hard going. Fortunately there was no firing today as we would have been easy targets! We stopped for a coffee and a bite to eat at Downderry, and after this we sort of slowed down a bit. Must have been the effects of the food, and efforts of the rock climbing for me! There were lots of people out enjoying the sun at Seaton, and I envied their relaxed ambling as we trudged heavy legged along the shingle. A steep climb up from Seaton into the woods, and then a very undulating section before we reached the outskirts of Looe. Running into Looe in the late afternoon sun, and a bit of a shock to see so many people out shopping! We then caught the train back to Liskeard to pick up the car, and drive home. 24 miles in total. Jayne also managed to be first lady in her 50k race last Sunday, so the training must be going well!

Ride on a different bike - and a problem!

This weekend we were away, so no proper training.  But I managed to borrow a friends' seriously nice cross bike on the pretext of taking it for a service when collecting the tandem.  Very light, lethally fast, but too small for my tall frame, so I suffered with back ache and other unmentionable places!!  But as it was custom assembled for him, again by Gary Moger of Revolve, it was not surprising I was uncomfortable.

Our problem lies with the tandem, in that we cannot alter the gearing.  The bike is about 15 years old, and although I have not yet had a detailed conversation with Gary, (I am collecting the bike today), it appears that the parts we need are just not available unless we spend a stupid amount of money.  But apart from that, everything else has been fiddled and fettled including new cables all round, brakes and a higher riding position for me, so my back hopefully will not suffer quite as much.  We are aiming for a ride this coming weekend to try everything out. And for all those long hills around Cornwall with too higher a gear - we can always push - although it goes against the grain!
So I will write more when we have had a proper tandem ride.

Training begins for the Meads

I lie slightly with the heading, as we (Gilly and Geoff) have not been out on the tandem in 2012 yet. Partially because rain and very strong winds are not condusive to tandem riding - and more importantly, the bike is having lower gears fitted and various other tweaks to make it more suitable for the big hills we know will await us on "The Ride"!.
So in the meantime, I (Geoff) continue to ride my mountain bike (around 94 miles this year so far). It has been fairly muddy, as the picture shows, but this is nothing compared to what it was like last week, when I and the bike came back completely covered in mud. I was not allowed in the house until I had removed all my clothing!!
Gilly continues her "Gym" sessions on tuesdays, but once we get the tandem back from Gary Moger of Revolve Bicycle Works, The Track, near Portreath, proper tandem training will begin in earnest. I am really looking forward to the challenge - tandem riding is not for everyone, but it can give you a real buzz - and of course, you always have someone to talk to and share the pain!!
More anon.

The five intrepid athletes plan their route!

Second planning meeting.

INTRODUCING:

Gill and Geoff Mead (tandem riders)

Roz Collins on Florence with trailer( provisions, tent and wine!)

Jayne and David (the runners )

Where is Cornwall? How far did we say we will go??

Main discussion focussed around B&B versus camping? Gill lost argument for B&B.

A train journey, a run and a ferry crossing!

David and I had a rather muddy run along the coastal footpath from Looe to Polruan. It was quite an adventure, involving leaving the car at Par, and catching a train to Liskeard. A change of trains onto the branch line to Looe, and then a run along the coastpath. The going underfoot was muddy and slippery, and a strong wind for the most exposed parts made it tough going. I had expected to see few people out, but there were quite a number of hikers out. We got to Polruan, where I even managed to get a lovely hot cup of tea, before the rather stomach churning Ferry ride across to Fowey. We then ran to Ready Money cove and up along the Saints way back to Par. The rain came in just at the point we left Fowey, so the last part was rather cold and miserable. However, we were soon back in Par where the sun was shining again, and we enjoyed a rather unhealthy cooked late breakfast in Niles Cafe on the way into St Austell.

A total of about 18 miles running altogether.

Christmas Training

Well, I managed to get in some fairly good training this week despite the Christmas celebrations and indulgences! I did two tough hill sessions which were more of a mental challenge really given the awful weather on the day that I had to do my harder session. David and I also had a lovely run out with some of the Mudcrew. They were running the Saints way from Padstow to Fowey. We were able to join them for a section of it. Also, we had an invigorating run out from Polkerris to Menabilly on the boxing day with some of the friday Fogeys, which is a regular yearly tradition. Drinks were enjoyed afterwards in the very busy Rashleigh Inn! We had a 5 mile jog on Christmas day too, so all in all a good weeks running.