23 November 2006
Today's handbike ride.
First was the ride North on the Hertford Rd (A1010) to Waltham Cross. Interrupted at the Junction of Southbury Road (A110) by the "Puncture Fairy". After pulling off the road and a 10 minute inner tube change (always, always, always carry a spare! Unless the Fairy visits you often). A rather uneventful ride other than that. Next was the tough bit, peddling south into a stiff headwind without any let-up or break with the gusts. I rode back south to the mini-roundabout at Cartrhatch Lane which is swiftly followed by a hill (a steep railway bridge) up and over to the A10 junction. I then had to follow the road to Baker Street and then South to Enfield Civic Centre, where I spotted my Brother-in-Law returning from lunch (Humm, food!) Stopped and said 'hello' and carried off on my way "avec" shitty headwind. I normally have a problem with the hill on Ridge Avenue (A105) after the Church Street Junction, but today it was head down, concentrate and I was near the top before my lungs spat the dummy and the Green Dragon junction, a quick recovery and then a short burst up past the Ironside's car dealership, Whooo Hoo!
The next hill came up quickly, this is on Green Lanes (A105), between River Avenue and Hedge Lane (A111). I hit it hard and feathered down the gears but keeping momentum (the secret to hills). Got it. Once you go up, then you come down, which on Hedge lane is fast and furious and holding up as many cars as possible (your hitting near to 25-30mph so why should they pass you and break the limit). Once that's all done I twiddled back home next to the A10, I couldn't be bothered dicing death and riding on the road as it was busy and I was spent.
I covered 17 miles (27.36 km) in 2 hr 7 mins and averaging 11.3 mph (18.19kph) including the puncture fairy.
The next hill came up quickly, this is on Green Lanes (A105), between River Avenue and Hedge Lane (A111). I hit it hard and feathered down the gears but keeping momentum (the secret to hills). Got it. Once you go up, then you come down, which on Hedge lane is fast and furious and holding up as many cars as possible (your hitting near to 25-30mph so why should they pass you and break the limit). Once that's all done I twiddled back home next to the A10, I couldn't be bothered dicing death and riding on the road as it was busy and I was spent.
I covered 17 miles (27.36 km) in 2 hr 7 mins and averaging 11.3 mph (18.19kph) including the puncture fairy.
# posted by Ollie Jones @ 15:07 
