Seems I'm a bit of a cycling wimp. I've been fighting off a cold and, for numerous other reasons, didn't cycle to work at the start of the week. But back at it today.
I felt really sluggish but put in a fantastic time for my trip to work. Proof that I really am getting a much higher base-level of fitness and strength.
This afternoon I did 16 miles on my way home in under an hour, including a big hill. I was pretty pleased. Knees mostly OK but my back was aching in a strange way. Alright now though.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
A couple of birthdays
It was on the 27th April that I wrote "I give it [Blogging] a month." So here's to beating my own prediction. It's been fun!
I give it another month!
I was also going to write something profound about the fact that my 30th birthday is coming up but I can't remember what it was. Oh well.
I give it another month!
I was also going to write something profound about the fact that my 30th birthday is coming up but I can't remember what it was. Oh well.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
General Saturday Stuff
After the marathon bike post, a bit about today, which has been nice.
I cycled 25.5 miles out to Cricklade and back, the long way. A very nice route and mostly with the tailwind on the way back in. Took just over an hour and a half averaging nearly 17 mph. My best moment was doing 22.6 in a 20 mile-per-hour zone. Probably not something to be proud of but it made me smile!
This afternoon I was a bit wiped out. Felt quite dizzy and light-headed for most of it. I think I
overdo it when I go out cycling on my own.
I heard from an old friend who sounds very serious and grown up now. That was nice. Did some gardening, and then generally relaxed. Something I'm learning more about how to do these days.
Blimey - what a mundane post. I'm turning into a dull-as-dishwater, serial blogger. ARRGHH!!! Why did I feel the need to write that? No idea. Ho hum.
I cycled 25.5 miles out to Cricklade and back, the long way. A very nice route and mostly with the tailwind on the way back in. Took just over an hour and a half averaging nearly 17 mph. My best moment was doing 22.6 in a 20 mile-per-hour zone. Probably not something to be proud of but it made me smile!
This afternoon I was a bit wiped out. Felt quite dizzy and light-headed for most of it. I think I
overdo it when I go out cycling on my own.
I heard from an old friend who sounds very serious and grown up now. That was nice. Did some gardening, and then generally relaxed. Something I'm learning more about how to do these days.
Blimey - what a mundane post. I'm turning into a dull-as-dishwater, serial blogger. ARRGHH!!! Why did I feel the need to write that? No idea. Ho hum.
Saturday Cycling Miscellany
It's been a LONG week. The days have been passing very slowly and I'm a bit confused as to which of these events, thoughts and discoveries are from this week and which are older, but hey.
I've been back in the saddle with my journey's to work and back, and this has raised a few interesting cycling things.
Clothing
First, a long overdue note on clothing. You've probably noticed that my blog is titled "Magic Roundabouts and Padded Pants". This is partly from my love of the Magic Roundabout - iconic of Swindon, my home town and the place we have recently moved to - and partly inspired by a writer in the Guardian who recently wrote an article on cycling entitled "Padded pants saved my life".
Now, it's not like she fell off into her bike into a lake and would have drowned if it weren't for the foam padding in her cycling shorts keeping her afloat (I'm sure someone can come up with a better story to match the headline) - she is, of course, speaking metaphorically. And I can wholeheartedly agree with her sentiment.
Though I don't consider myself an official "lycra lout", and despite a healthy dose of initial skepticism, I have definitely discovered "technical" clothing. And there's quite a lot of it! Thankfully, my wife assures me that I don't look completely stupid when wearing my cycle gear. And I don't really care if other people do...my prepared response to anyone who might say that I look stupid would be "Well, I'm warm, dry, comfortable and stupid".
Here are some of my finds...
1) Baggies
I've taken to wearing "Baggies", which are padded lycra shorts but they have water-resistant "baggy" shorts over the top. These are great and, so I'm told, they even look cool! The difference they make to ride comfort is quite impressive. I wouldn't cycle without them! They dry quickly too so if you get caught in the rain they're usually OK to use again after a few hours.
2) Wrap-around shades
I HATE the thought of these, but they're REALLY important. They keep dirt, grit, wind, rain, flies, branches, sunlight and harmful UV rays out of your eyes. But surely ordinary shades are OK? Well, I thought that. But I bought a pair of inexpensive DHB shades from Wiggle andI wear them ALL the time (when cycling) because:
3) Technical Tee's and Jerseys
This took the most convincing before I invested, but it's quite simple. Cotton T-shirts soak up sweat and hold it! This means that:
I also have a couple of cycle "jerseys", which are more like base layers than tees but have lots of useful pockets and a zip to allow them to be breathable. My favourite jersey is long-sleeved. You'd be surprised how cold your arms get when cycling! They also tend to come in bright colours - good for visibility.
4) Gloves
Most obviously for keeping your hands warm - and you be surprised how you need them even in mild weather! Especially as you don't use your hands and arms much in cycling. Also important for a bit of shock-protection and pressure relief. You have important nerves running through your wrist (I'll maybe write about RSI involving such nerves at some point!), and continuous pressure and vibration is not really good for any part of your body.
5) Water/wind proofs!
A lightweight, water and wind-proof top is pretty essential too. They make these incredibly thin and light these days so you can pack it a small sack even in good weather (this is England we're talking about). From what I can tell you can get specific wind-proofs, but I've got a cheap (£8!) water and wind proof that does the job for my commute.
6) Overshoes
I'm not SO convinced about these but they're worth a mention. Overshoes are water-resistant, and have a thin layer of something like fleece or neoprene inside. As the name suggests you wear them over your shoes. They ARE pretty good at keeping your feet warm, and slightly dry. They're good for really cold weather. But they don't look good and they're a bit of overkill really.
7) Headband/skullcap
Finally, and well worth a mention...I have a thin, fleecy headband. With all else covered up, on a cold, wet, windy winters day, your forehead gets REALLY cold when cycling. It gets painful! This little thing is a few quid VERY well spent. My friend Mike is a bit lacking in hair so he has an all-over skullcap equivalent (sorry Mike - had to mention that!).
Chains and Sprockets
My chain broke this week. Not a complete break, but a link became splayed. Easily fixed with a pair of pliers but I'm worried about having a weak link now. The bike shop says it should be fine but it got me looking at the chain a bit.
I remember when it happened - I was turning a corner, changing down gears, and there was a clunk. I didn't notice until the next morning. It seems, and it makes sense the lateral movement from changing gears bends the chain a little. If you put too much pressure on the chain while it's bent in this way, you can weaken or damage the links.
I didn't have to do it in the end but my cycle maintenance book says that changing the chain can require you to change the rear "cassette" - the gear cogs - as the sprockets get worn down. So I had a look at those too while I was looking at the chain and, sure enough, my cogs are looking pretty worn after 800 miles. I'll try to get a photo here at some point.
Chains are important and I'll be watching and maintaining my "transmission" system more carefully from now on.
Servicing
So, having had the chain incident I took the bike in for a service - mostly because we're taking the bikes off on holiday to Cornwall and I don't want to get caught in the middle of nowhere with something broken.
They didn't think the chain would be a problem so that's been left...which makes me cringe slightly in fear...I hope they know best.
So they offered me a "brakes and gears" or a "full service". I asked how much the full service was and they told me it would be £25. Which seems very cheap to me - so I put it in for a full service.
I didn't expect much for £25. That can't even be 30 minutes labour can it?
Anyway the bike came back. Disappointingly the gears were worse than when I took it in. But it was running VERY smooth.
Was it worth it? Probably not. I reckon a chain clean and lube, brake adjustment, pumping up the tyres. That will probably just about do it. But then £25 wasn't much so maybe it was. Anyone know what they do in a "full service"?
Tyres
I mentioned the tyres. I've done a couple of REALLY speedy rides recently and I think having well-inflated tyres helps a lot. I've put a track pump on my Wiggle wish list!!!
Action
Cycling is a complex thing to get right. I've been playing around with foot position to try to stop my knees hurting (see my post on amateur physiology). I do seem to have had some success (25.5 miles today with little pain), but in working out how to do this I think I've realised that I'm pedalling inefficiently.
I've been pushing mostly down, starting my push at about 2 o'clock (if you look at the pedal from the side). What I've found is that pushing FORWARD from the top of the revolution, from 12 o'clock, feels much more efficient - the pedalling action is smoother and it feels like you get power through the full revolution.
Definitely something to work on and possibly to research! Oh, and I'm sure cycling shoes and clipless pedals (with the slots that you slot cycling shoes into) probably help with all this too...that's a whole other subject!
Computers and Cadence
And finally (gosh this has turned into a marathon post), a note on cycle computers. I bought one ages ago and it's REALLY useful. I spent £35 on a Cateye Micro Wireless.
I hate all the cables that you get with a non-wireless and, despite the advice of the guy in the shop, I gave this a try...and it's been fine! I've had no problems with it what so ever. The batteries have lasted well over 6 months and, as far as I know, it's never skipped a pulse.
My only regret is not buying one with MORE functions. You can get computers with what's called "cadence". That is, your rate of pedalling (RPM). Which, it turns out, is a really useful thing to know.
I'm not going to trade-up just yet. But if I was starting again I'd go for something bigger and better!
Summary
Phew - what a lot. But to anyone serious about getting into cycling, on clothing, on computers, on maintenance, on tools, on ALL the things I've talked about and more, it's worth investing a little more to get something extra. You might not need it now, but you'll appreciate having it later on!
I've been back in the saddle with my journey's to work and back, and this has raised a few interesting cycling things.
Clothing
First, a long overdue note on clothing. You've probably noticed that my blog is titled "Magic Roundabouts and Padded Pants". This is partly from my love of the Magic Roundabout - iconic of Swindon, my home town and the place we have recently moved to - and partly inspired by a writer in the Guardian who recently wrote an article on cycling entitled "Padded pants saved my life".
Now, it's not like she fell off into her bike into a lake and would have drowned if it weren't for the foam padding in her cycling shorts keeping her afloat (I'm sure someone can come up with a better story to match the headline) - she is, of course, speaking metaphorically. And I can wholeheartedly agree with her sentiment.
Though I don't consider myself an official "lycra lout", and despite a healthy dose of initial skepticism, I have definitely discovered "technical" clothing. And there's quite a lot of it! Thankfully, my wife assures me that I don't look completely stupid when wearing my cycle gear. And I don't really care if other people do...my prepared response to anyone who might say that I look stupid would be "Well, I'm warm, dry, comfortable and stupid".
Here are some of my finds...
1) Baggies
I've taken to wearing "Baggies", which are padded lycra shorts but they have water-resistant "baggy" shorts over the top. These are great and, so I'm told, they even look cool! The difference they make to ride comfort is quite impressive. I wouldn't cycle without them! They dry quickly too so if you get caught in the rain they're usually OK to use again after a few hours.
2) Wrap-around shades
I HATE the thought of these, but they're REALLY important. They keep dirt, grit, wind, rain, flies, branches, sunlight and harmful UV rays out of your eyes. But surely ordinary shades are OK? Well, I thought that. But I bought a pair of inexpensive DHB shades from Wiggle andI wear them ALL the time (when cycling) because:
- Wind gets round frames and still blows into your eyes.
- If you have frames you can't see out the corner of your eyes - important when looking around/behind you.
- They have interchangable lenses so you can use them in different lights and weathers.
3) Technical Tee's and Jerseys
This took the most convincing before I invested, but it's quite simple. Cotton T-shirts soak up sweat and hold it! This means that:
- they take ages to dry;
- they make you cold in a wind;
- they saturate - so they reach a point where they can't absorb more sweat, meaning YOU get wet, which is not particularly pleasant
I also have a couple of cycle "jerseys", which are more like base layers than tees but have lots of useful pockets and a zip to allow them to be breathable. My favourite jersey is long-sleeved. You'd be surprised how cold your arms get when cycling! They also tend to come in bright colours - good for visibility.
4) Gloves
Most obviously for keeping your hands warm - and you be surprised how you need them even in mild weather! Especially as you don't use your hands and arms much in cycling. Also important for a bit of shock-protection and pressure relief. You have important nerves running through your wrist (I'll maybe write about RSI involving such nerves at some point!), and continuous pressure and vibration is not really good for any part of your body.
5) Water/wind proofs!
A lightweight, water and wind-proof top is pretty essential too. They make these incredibly thin and light these days so you can pack it a small sack even in good weather (this is England we're talking about). From what I can tell you can get specific wind-proofs, but I've got a cheap (£8!) water and wind proof that does the job for my commute.
6) Overshoes
I'm not SO convinced about these but they're worth a mention. Overshoes are water-resistant, and have a thin layer of something like fleece or neoprene inside. As the name suggests you wear them over your shoes. They ARE pretty good at keeping your feet warm, and slightly dry. They're good for really cold weather. But they don't look good and they're a bit of overkill really.
7) Headband/skullcap
Finally, and well worth a mention...I have a thin, fleecy headband. With all else covered up, on a cold, wet, windy winters day, your forehead gets REALLY cold when cycling. It gets painful! This little thing is a few quid VERY well spent. My friend Mike is a bit lacking in hair so he has an all-over skullcap equivalent (sorry Mike - had to mention that!).
Chains and Sprockets
My chain broke this week. Not a complete break, but a link became splayed. Easily fixed with a pair of pliers but I'm worried about having a weak link now. The bike shop says it should be fine but it got me looking at the chain a bit.
I remember when it happened - I was turning a corner, changing down gears, and there was a clunk. I didn't notice until the next morning. It seems, and it makes sense the lateral movement from changing gears bends the chain a little. If you put too much pressure on the chain while it's bent in this way, you can weaken or damage the links.
I didn't have to do it in the end but my cycle maintenance book says that changing the chain can require you to change the rear "cassette" - the gear cogs - as the sprockets get worn down. So I had a look at those too while I was looking at the chain and, sure enough, my cogs are looking pretty worn after 800 miles. I'll try to get a photo here at some point.
Chains are important and I'll be watching and maintaining my "transmission" system more carefully from now on.
Servicing
So, having had the chain incident I took the bike in for a service - mostly because we're taking the bikes off on holiday to Cornwall and I don't want to get caught in the middle of nowhere with something broken.
They didn't think the chain would be a problem so that's been left...which makes me cringe slightly in fear...I hope they know best.
So they offered me a "brakes and gears" or a "full service". I asked how much the full service was and they told me it would be £25. Which seems very cheap to me - so I put it in for a full service.
I didn't expect much for £25. That can't even be 30 minutes labour can it?
Anyway the bike came back. Disappointingly the gears were worse than when I took it in. But it was running VERY smooth.
Was it worth it? Probably not. I reckon a chain clean and lube, brake adjustment, pumping up the tyres. That will probably just about do it. But then £25 wasn't much so maybe it was. Anyone know what they do in a "full service"?
Tyres
I mentioned the tyres. I've done a couple of REALLY speedy rides recently and I think having well-inflated tyres helps a lot. I've put a track pump on my Wiggle wish list!!!
Action
Cycling is a complex thing to get right. I've been playing around with foot position to try to stop my knees hurting (see my post on amateur physiology). I do seem to have had some success (25.5 miles today with little pain), but in working out how to do this I think I've realised that I'm pedalling inefficiently.
I've been pushing mostly down, starting my push at about 2 o'clock (if you look at the pedal from the side). What I've found is that pushing FORWARD from the top of the revolution, from 12 o'clock, feels much more efficient - the pedalling action is smoother and it feels like you get power through the full revolution.
Definitely something to work on and possibly to research! Oh, and I'm sure cycling shoes and clipless pedals (with the slots that you slot cycling shoes into) probably help with all this too...that's a whole other subject!
Computers and Cadence
And finally (gosh this has turned into a marathon post), a note on cycle computers. I bought one ages ago and it's REALLY useful. I spent £35 on a Cateye Micro Wireless.
I hate all the cables that you get with a non-wireless and, despite the advice of the guy in the shop, I gave this a try...and it's been fine! I've had no problems with it what so ever. The batteries have lasted well over 6 months and, as far as I know, it's never skipped a pulse.
My only regret is not buying one with MORE functions. You can get computers with what's called "cadence". That is, your rate of pedalling (RPM). Which, it turns out, is a really useful thing to know.
I'm not going to trade-up just yet. But if I was starting again I'd go for something bigger and better!
Summary
Phew - what a lot. But to anyone serious about getting into cycling, on clothing, on computers, on maintenance, on tools, on ALL the things I've talked about and more, it's worth investing a little more to get something extra. You might not need it now, but you'll appreciate having it later on!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Storytelling
"It's dark, it's cold, my skin is wet from walking through dense fog, and I want to know the way home. Keeping my hands in my pockets, I shiver and shuffle around in my coat and draw it closer. I'm lost, in a place I don't know very well. I don't recognise anything. Signposts tell me the way to streets and landmarks I've not been to. I walk past the odd person I don't recognise - well, why would I? I know that home is nearby, somewhere, and yet, without a clue as to where I am, I could be out here all night..."
A story? A metaphor? A parable? Is it real? Is it trying to tell me something? What is it?
I love the medium, the magic and the mystery of storytelling. It's an art that we've lost in modern times.
I discovered it at Lee Abbey Summer Camp in Devon when I met a man called Simon - a really fun and interesting man who was a storyteller in his spare time. He taught us some of the tricks of the trade in a short workshop and I was hooked. He could communicate ideas, facts, morals, history, dreams and sometimes just stories, in such a captivating way. It was amazing.
I like storytelling as a means of communicating and I think that we should do it more. Jesus told lots of stories to communicate important things to people in memorable ways. Many will know the story of the Good Samaritan, and maybe the Prodigal Son.
Yes, storytelling is a very good thing. So why then do I find it so overused?
In church services people pepper their talks, sermons or messages with little anecdotes to draw you in or make the points more practical. Yet I find this dilutes a talk rather than enhancing it.
In modern non-fiction books (and especially in books that fall into the "Christian Living" category) I find myself wallowing in stories and struggling to get to what's actually being said.
I'm currently trying to work out my love-hate relationship with storytelling.
I THINK that what I see in talks and books are short anecdotes - not proper storytelling as such. And these are useful. But I think we need to be careful how, and how much, we use them, otherwise our message gets diluted, or our audience drifts off at the thought of another of so-and-so's tiresome tales.
What I saw Simon doing at Lee Abbey was REAL storytelling. He didn't need to add to it, or explain it. The story itself - and the way he told it - was enough. Sometimes he left you with questions, but that was OK; sometimes that WAS the point!
Rob Bell of the Mars Hill Church in the US does a good mixture of both in his "Nooma" videos. He tells a story. One story. That's his parable, that's his hook to get you in and to give you something to remember. But then he develops that story into a message. And it works. We saw one of these videos on Sunday night. I'd seen it before a few months ago and it was very familiar. I can tell you all about Rob walking along the beach telling the story, his little boy wanting the thing on a strap that will hit him in the face and screaming "I WAAAAANT one" and "I NEEEED it" when daddy knows better. And not just because I wrote about it in my "Sunday evening brain dump".
I'm fed up with the books I'm reading full of anecdotes, and I don't connect with preaching that mixes up powerful truth and personal tales; they make me feel like a guy who's lost in the fog who wishes he could find what he's really looking for. A story should get to the heart of the matter, it should be told passionately, and it should teach a simple truth.
Yes, I'm not really sure what to make of storytelling. I'll keep trying to work out what I make of it. I'm sure there's no perfect formula but I just think it's a means of communication that we could use better. I'll keep struggling with my books - there are good, real-life illustrations in there that make a point real. I'll keep listening to my preachers and teachers because, after all, they're far wiser and more knowledgeable than I about most things.
And hopefully the signposts and the people I come across will help me find my home.
A story? A metaphor? A parable? Is it real? Is it trying to tell me something? What is it?
I love the medium, the magic and the mystery of storytelling. It's an art that we've lost in modern times.
I discovered it at Lee Abbey Summer Camp in Devon when I met a man called Simon - a really fun and interesting man who was a storyteller in his spare time. He taught us some of the tricks of the trade in a short workshop and I was hooked. He could communicate ideas, facts, morals, history, dreams and sometimes just stories, in such a captivating way. It was amazing.
I like storytelling as a means of communicating and I think that we should do it more. Jesus told lots of stories to communicate important things to people in memorable ways. Many will know the story of the Good Samaritan, and maybe the Prodigal Son.
Yes, storytelling is a very good thing. So why then do I find it so overused?
In church services people pepper their talks, sermons or messages with little anecdotes to draw you in or make the points more practical. Yet I find this dilutes a talk rather than enhancing it.
In modern non-fiction books (and especially in books that fall into the "Christian Living" category) I find myself wallowing in stories and struggling to get to what's actually being said.
I'm currently trying to work out my love-hate relationship with storytelling.
I THINK that what I see in talks and books are short anecdotes - not proper storytelling as such. And these are useful. But I think we need to be careful how, and how much, we use them, otherwise our message gets diluted, or our audience drifts off at the thought of another of so-and-so's tiresome tales.
What I saw Simon doing at Lee Abbey was REAL storytelling. He didn't need to add to it, or explain it. The story itself - and the way he told it - was enough. Sometimes he left you with questions, but that was OK; sometimes that WAS the point!
Rob Bell of the Mars Hill Church in the US does a good mixture of both in his "Nooma" videos. He tells a story. One story. That's his parable, that's his hook to get you in and to give you something to remember. But then he develops that story into a message. And it works. We saw one of these videos on Sunday night. I'd seen it before a few months ago and it was very familiar. I can tell you all about Rob walking along the beach telling the story, his little boy wanting the thing on a strap that will hit him in the face and screaming "I WAAAAANT one" and "I NEEEED it" when daddy knows better. And not just because I wrote about it in my "Sunday evening brain dump".
I'm fed up with the books I'm reading full of anecdotes, and I don't connect with preaching that mixes up powerful truth and personal tales; they make me feel like a guy who's lost in the fog who wishes he could find what he's really looking for. A story should get to the heart of the matter, it should be told passionately, and it should teach a simple truth.
Yes, I'm not really sure what to make of storytelling. I'll keep trying to work out what I make of it. I'm sure there's no perfect formula but I just think it's a means of communication that we could use better. I'll keep struggling with my books - there are good, real-life illustrations in there that make a point real. I'll keep listening to my preachers and teachers because, after all, they're far wiser and more knowledgeable than I about most things.
And hopefully the signposts and the people I come across will help me find my home.
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