to get off the Drumbeg road

One of my favourite corners of this island...

The rides on Strava:

Day one 

Day Two 

Day Three

...for nothing

Life is good.

Enjoying it far too much to come here and write about it. See y'all when it calms down.

...for a rain cape.

I came to road biking in 1990, and was quickly aware there were a few essentials that made life on the road bearable. Shorts with a pad, shoes with cleats, a jersey with pockets, and some form of protection against the rain/hail/sleet - a rain cape.

I believe I can honestly say i've never had one that fits the bill, some have come close, some have gone straight in the bin. In an ideal world, you'd have a garment you can put on as the first spots appear and not overheat. Then as the temperature drops with the rain, it keeps you dry. As you ride, it doesn't flap to slow you down. If you unzip to vent it doesn't inflate like a balloon. It doesn't wet-out and keeps repelling the water. It gets covered in grime and oil from the rider in front's wheel spray and needs a scrub to clean, and still carries on working. 

Memorable jackets along the way:

• Nike - one of the best. Vented across shoulders to prevent ballooning, heavy fabric for warmth and low flappage. I lost weight, it got too big and I couldn't find another one.
• Campagnolo Raytech - one of the worst. Thin, baggy, flappy, unvented, weird fabric that only seemed to get wet on the inside. Tiny zip you couldn't fasten while riding.
• Rapha Rain Jacket. Expensive and the repellent coating didn't last long. Didn't take to washing or re-proofing well.
• Santini Storm - Interestingly short, almost bolero jacket. Excellent access to jersey pockets as they weren't even covered! Handed up to brother who is taller than I so will fit him even less.
• Impsport Rain jacket - Literally, a sieve.

So my current modus operandi is to ride until the rain soaking into my clothes starts to cool me down, then chuck on a shell layer and warm the water up. Just forget the option of remaining dry - keeping warm is the key. 

I'm currently having a look at Castelli's 'unfair advantage's.... very promising. Just imagine a short/tight with gabba fabric down the fronts...

...for a better fit.

It's been a year or so since i've had my position on the bike looked at, and inspired by Gem's recent visit to Cyclefit, I decide to haul my arse down to York Cycleworks, and have myself looked at. I've been having back pain which kicks in after about 60 miles, and a left hamstring that spasms after about the same. 

The fit began with the chat about my riding volumes and expectations, and what I was hoping to get from the session. Sam the fitter was good to talk with, and was happy to answer all my questions as we went along. Early into the session he spotted my right foot that kicks out when I stand (externally rotated), and having put me on the physio table he also found that the outside of right foot twists downwards and is lower than left when both legs are hanging in space. Both these factors would add up once I was on the bike and would make themselves apparent as lateral heel instability. After a quick measure up of the bike, I hopped aboard and had a 10min warm up on the turbo while he fetched the teas. On his return , phrases like 'nice position' , 'very flat back' and 'really smooth pedal stroke' were mentioned, only then to be contrasted by 'your right foot is all over the place'! 

 

Sam was pretty happy with the fit of the bike dimensions overall, but had a few improvements to try:

• My arches compress by more than 15mm when loaded, so some decent foot beds were slotted into my shoes, with some serious arch support. They felt quite odd at first but I'm looking forward to testing them out on the road. 
• Saddle fore/aft. That came forward 15mm to remove the compression of the front of the hip as he felt I was slightly stiff there and it could be preventing smooth motion over the top of the pedal stroke. It would also allow greater deployment of the Glute Max hopefully increasing power. 
• Finally, and most dramatically, he shimmed the cleat on my right shoe, so that the twisted foot would have something to push against. Immediately my right leg felt connected to the crank, and my eyes lit up. Sam could now see that my heel had stopped waggling around during the cycle of the pedal stroke. 

Ironically, the importance of foot stability became very apparent on Sunday. I rode the Scotton100 on my CX bike which i rarely do any distance on. It is fitted with eggbeaters which offer huge amounts of float and minimal stability. That evening my left knee was very sore and painful to walk on. 

The real test will be this week when I get out on the chaingang and see what effect the changes make. I'll let you know...

...to make it through the Ardennes.

More from Stoemper... 5 Northern Classics in 7 days.

...for BST

Blimey! That came around quick again. Time to put the clocks forward, and put the winter bike away.

The Enigma Ethos has excelled this winter. A sprightly Columbus steel frame (1.65kg), with room for full 'guards yet still allowing use of standard brake calipers. 27.2mm post and a semi-compact design means it's a cushy ride. The Hope Pro3 hubs haven't needed servicing, and the mid-range Campagnolo groupset has sailed along through rain, sleet, mud and frost.

A new front ring and a set of brake pads will see me right until the Autumn.

...for a classic

5 Classics in 7 days. Stoepid.