All publicity is good publicity

I woke up on Sunday morning feeling pretty good considering Saturday's mileage. Once I dragged myself out of bed I gave my bike a liberal soaking in GT-85 and gave it a quick test ride to find the creaking noise had gone.

I wolfed down a quick breakfast and headed out to Dundry hill and Chew Valley Lake. I must have still been hungry after Saturday because I was already eating my food rations not 15 miles from Bristol. By the time I'd climbed the huge Highfield Lane, leading from Compton Martin, I was hungry again and the dreaded bottom bracket creaking had come back.

I was only 25 miles into my ride but I knew I couldn't continue on a big ride with my bike making such a worrying grinding sound. Unfortunately I still had a 25 mile ride to get back home. I rode down through Cheddar Gorge (taking a video as I went), and then came home via Shipham Hill, Congresbury and another fearsome hill called Providence Lane in Long Ashton.

I rode a frustrating and slow 51 miles, knowing I could have ridden further and faster had my bike been in perfect working order. Still, I did manage to get a video of the first half of the ride, which I pieced together with Windows Movie Maker.

On Monday Bike UK managed to fit me in for a quick £10 bottom bracket strip down and re-grease which has hopefully solved the problem. I'll have to take it on a quick test ride tomorrow (Thursday) to find out for sure.

In other news, Bike UK donated a prize for a charity sweepstake this weekend (thanks Paul!). I'm still on the look out for other prizes. I'm hopeful that Howies might come through. We've got about 40 people coming round this weekend for a fund-raising BBQ. So for all the business-owners reading this, that's 40 people you could turn on to your products - all donations very welcome!

Also my story made the local paper. Well not exactly. The journalist I spoke to chose to focus on how I'll be turning to fast food and beer to get me through my ride. That's not strictly true folks. I'll be relying on high carb and protein foods - a beer in the evening might be a by-product of being on 'holiday' (if you can call a LE-JOG trip that). And for all those looking for those references to 'food porn' - on Saturday I ate a deliciously creamy chicken and artichoke pie and followed it with a whole Easter egg. Anway, I'm not complaining about the tone of the article - all publicity is good publicity I guess. I've already received a £10 donation on the back of it.

Finally, Helen and I went out to buy a new bike today. It's a Specialized Vienna which cost the princely sum of £300. It's not a bike suitable for Lands End to John O'Groats but it is a beauty nonetheless. We especially love the white tyres (a manufacturing mistake apparently)!

What a contrast

This time last week Bristol was under several inches of snow and riding on anywhere other than main roads was near impossible. Seven days on the snow had melted and there was a glorious orange orb in the sky.

After several weeks in the gym it was good to get out on the bike. On Saturday I went for a long run and a short ride. I bought a new bike - a red Bob Jackson road bike with a triple chainset and a frame perfect for a single speed conversion - and took it on a few short laps of the city.

On Sunday I took my road bike out on a long ride to Cheddar. I was aiming for a 66-mile route but only managed 50 due to a slow puncture.

I rode out across the Suspension Bridge to Failand, Wraxall and Clevedon before heading south to Congresbury and Highbridge. Halfway through the ride I realised my jacket pocket was open and my fruit cake had fallen out of my pocket. With no food I had to stop at a petrol station in Highbridge. As I saddled back up, weighed down with Rice Krispie squares and sweets, I felt that all-too familiar clunk of metal, tyre and Tarmac. I had a puncture. I suspected it was a slow puncture so I took my chances, pumped it up then headed east back to Cheddar for dinner at Helen's parents. I just about got away with it. I had to pump up my tyre twice on the remaining 10 miles but I was saved the indignity of removing the wheel on the roadside and getting covered in dirt and grease.

So 50 miles through mostly flat Somerset countryside at a relaxed average of 18 miles an hour. I managed 35 miles on a big bowl of porridge before having to stop for food. It was a warm January day and I think I got my clothing just about right: overshoes, leggings, merino top, jersey, gilet, arm warmers and ear buff. I felt pretty good afterwards too.

Next time I try this route I'll leave myself a bit longer and hopefully manage the full route to Glastonbury - and with any chance there'll be a venison casserole waiting for me next time too!