Steve and I took the bikes out for a little 9 mile bike ride to test out the work we did on Steve's bike. All seemed to go well and Steve noticed an improvement in smoothness and gearing which is a big relief this close to setting off. I plan on getting as much of the rest of the navigation sorted today and start laying out all the equipment I need to take tonight.
The navigation is in several parts. I have pieces of map from www.gmaps-pedometer.com with the planned route which I have placed in a document to print. I have written directions for the entire trip and I have every junction of the trip plotted into the satnav which runs on my phone.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
"She canna take it captain..."
After work yesterday I figured out exactly what spare parts we needed and Steve picked them up. We then rushed to screwfix before it shut to buy some more tools including a huge adjustable spanner. I find using tools like this always makes me feel like my dad. :) kinda cool
Well after working into the dark we finally had the old broken parts out, the frame cleaned and the new parts in. Steve gave some test rides up and down the close and after a few tweaks and some fine tuning the pedals seem to run nice and smoothly and the gears have had their performance improved too. So far this looks like a good job.
I also took the opportunity to attach my rack to my bike whilst the tools were out and also figure out the little trip computer I bought (it was a shiny gadget in the bike shop and I couldnt resist). Hopefully the trip computer will help us keep track of our distances each day.
Steve and I plan to take the bikes for a short ride tonight to see how they behave so fingers crossed...
Well after working into the dark we finally had the old broken parts out, the frame cleaned and the new parts in. Steve gave some test rides up and down the close and after a few tweaks and some fine tuning the pedals seem to run nice and smoothly and the gears have had their performance improved too. So far this looks like a good job.
I also took the opportunity to attach my rack to my bike whilst the tools were out and also figure out the little trip computer I bought (it was a shiny gadget in the bike shop and I couldnt resist). Hopefully the trip computer will help us keep track of our distances each day.
Steve and I plan to take the bikes for a short ride tonight to see how they behave so fingers crossed...
Monday, August 16, 2010
That'll teach me to speak too soon
Just when i think everything is sorted something happens.
Steve and I got together this past weekend for another practice run and when we set out we noticed some unpleasant metal on metal rubbing noises coming from his bike. After riding a little further we decided it was best to head home and fix whatever the problem was. By the time we got back Steve was pretty sure the noise was coming from the pedals or the bottom bracket (the mechanics inside the frame that the pedals attach to).
We decided the best action was to completely disassemble that section and check everything over. Once I had taken it all apart we saw that a section of the mechanics (a ball racer) had almost completely disintegrated and the bearings were certainly not spherical anymore. This was quite a major repair. We spent the rest of the day removing all the parts and cleaning everything up.
Steve now needs to buy a completely new bottom bracket unit for about £15.
Hopefully we can have it all rebuilt this week in time for one last practice run at the weekend. Fingers crossed the repair goes well.
I suppose one thing to be grateful for was that this didnt happen after we had set off on the trek or it would have been really bad stuck in the middle of nowhere with no way of repairing.
Steve and I got together this past weekend for another practice run and when we set out we noticed some unpleasant metal on metal rubbing noises coming from his bike. After riding a little further we decided it was best to head home and fix whatever the problem was. By the time we got back Steve was pretty sure the noise was coming from the pedals or the bottom bracket (the mechanics inside the frame that the pedals attach to).
We decided the best action was to completely disassemble that section and check everything over. Once I had taken it all apart we saw that a section of the mechanics (a ball racer) had almost completely disintegrated and the bearings were certainly not spherical anymore. This was quite a major repair. We spent the rest of the day removing all the parts and cleaning everything up.
Steve now needs to buy a completely new bottom bracket unit for about £15.
Hopefully we can have it all rebuilt this week in time for one last practice run at the weekend. Fingers crossed the repair goes well.
I suppose one thing to be grateful for was that this didnt happen after we had set off on the trek or it would have been really bad stuck in the middle of nowhere with no way of repairing.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
I love it when a plan comes together
Things are mostly all organised at last. I have train tickets booked for out to Bristol and back from Kings Lynn. Accomodation has been sorted for the entire journey.
The bikes went through some more maintenance work again last night and we made some adjustments to Steve's including tightening the bottom bracket as the peddles rattled from side to side a little. I've bought a couple of extra small containers that attach to the frame in the hope that I have to carry less on my back this time. I've got a couple of NCN (National Cycle Network) maps for parts of the route and I've almost finished writing up directions for the entire journey.
Steve has also set up his donation webpage over at http://www.justgiving.com/StevesCoastToCoast as he will be cycling for a different charity, Amnesty International.
The bikes went through some more maintenance work again last night and we made some adjustments to Steve's including tightening the bottom bracket as the peddles rattled from side to side a little. I've bought a couple of extra small containers that attach to the frame in the hope that I have to carry less on my back this time. I've got a couple of NCN (National Cycle Network) maps for parts of the route and I've almost finished writing up directions for the entire journey.
Steve has also set up his donation webpage over at http://www.justgiving.com/StevesCoastToCoast as he will be cycling for a different charity, Amnesty International.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Faster generosity than expected
Sent around some emails last night detailing the charity ride to colleagues and friends and I have already started receiving donations. Thanks to those who have already donated so quickly. I hope the blog proves interesting reading for you all.
I'll have to spend some time this evening reminding myself how I made blog postings on the move last time. Dont think it was too tricky.
I'll have to spend some time this evening reminding myself how I made blog postings on the move last time. Dont think it was too tricky.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
No turning back now
Today I've booked the train tickets to Bristol and also the return tickets back to London Kings Cross. I've got almost everything sorted now, I just need to finish drawing up maps and writing directions.
I'm still doing the bike practice and did 5.5miles this morning and have another 5.5miles to get home tonight.
Stopped by Decathlon yesterday to get myself some lightweight Tshirts to keep cool on the ride. Found some nice bright colours so I'll be visible on the roads which made my work colleagues laugh. Well at least drivers should see me coming in my bright orange, lime green or lemon yellow. Just call me the citrus rider :)
Had another colleague ask if I would be sending the charity details around so I think I'll start sending out emails this week and see if we can start increasing awareness and getting some money in.
I'm still doing the bike practice and did 5.5miles this morning and have another 5.5miles to get home tonight.
Stopped by Decathlon yesterday to get myself some lightweight Tshirts to keep cool on the ride. Found some nice bright colours so I'll be visible on the roads which made my work colleagues laugh. Well at least drivers should see me coming in my bright orange, lime green or lemon yellow. Just call me the citrus rider :)
Had another colleague ask if I would be sending the charity details around so I think I'll start sending out emails this week and see if we can start increasing awareness and getting some money in.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Getting consistent
Yet again this weekend just gone Steve and I did our practice route and covered the 34 mile circuit in 5 hours which includes an hour to stop for lunch. I'm feeling quite comfortable on the bike now and hopefully a little more practice and i shall be prepared for the trek. My bike is running fairly smoothly and Steve needs to make a small adjustment to his bottom bracket which should only take an hour or so.
I've managed to get most of the route drawn out and it is currently at 223miles. My next step is to get some NCN maps and ordnance survey maps of the areas we will be cycling through. I'll see if I can borrow from a few people. There seem to be different types of ordnance survey with different levels of detail and I'm unsure just what I need.
Only 3 weeks of preparation to go, its getting close now.
I've managed to get most of the route drawn out and it is currently at 223miles. My next step is to get some NCN maps and ordnance survey maps of the areas we will be cycling through. I'll see if I can borrow from a few people. There seem to be different types of ordnance survey with different levels of detail and I'm unsure just what I need.
Only 3 weeks of preparation to go, its getting close now.
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