The plan was do around 35 miles on the bike today. But some how that turned into a 61 mile cycle. I cycled so far, I ended up cycling into Nottinghamshire. First time I have ever done that from Litttle Bytham. So well pleased with myself.
Here is a nice map of today’s 61 mile bike ride.
So pleased with myself, just done the longest cycle of the year, also one of the longest ones I have ever done. Would be the longest if you don’t count the End 2 End cycle, where I did 89 miles in one day. So now on with some of the statistics from the cycle.
Here is a nice map of the full cycle. Which does really give you an idea of just how long 64 miles really is.
Here are some photos from the cycle:-
I have just updated my cycling maps section by updating the Killearn and Little Bytham maps, which show the places I have cycled to from each village.
Killearn cycling map
Little Bytham cycling map
More maps can be found at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/cycling/.
I can’t get over just how good the weather has been for the last week. Been warm and sunny just about every day. Which is good news for me, since I am way behind on the number of miles I want to do on my bike this month. Since I was in Scotland for 1 week, only got to use my bike once that I got a flat tyre and did not have any tools in Scotland to fix it :(. By the end of the month I want to do at least 450 miles, right now I have only done 186.7, which also includes the cycle I did today. So need to do at least another 265 miles before the month is out 2 be happy with myself.
Anyways on with today’s nice cycle. I made up my mind, since it’s a great day to cycle to Ruland Water, which is not that far at all from my place, so only a short cycle. Only did 24.5 miles, but I do really like cycling to Rutland Water, it was so busy. Don’t think I have ever seen it so busy on a week day. Then I think that’s got a lot 2 do with lots of schools being off. But I got a ice-cream while there, which is one of the reasons I went :).
So other than the great cycle, not much at all 2 tell you. Other than at long last Channel 4 HD has been added to Freesat, it can be found on channel 126. Meaning that Freesat now got 4 HD channels and all for free. Now got BBC1 HD, BBC HD, ITV1 HD and of course Channel 4 HD. Yes I do really like my HD stuff.
I am sure you will have heard this story by now. I first heard about it on twitter. A Gay couple were asked to leave a pub in Soho for kissing. Can’t believe that things like this still happen and in what is London’s gay area 2. It’s been all over the news here in the UK.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident. I really hope that person that told them 2 leave, loses his job. Also the pub should be fined or even better closed down.
Read about it on the BBC New website.
If you have watched my three vlogs below then you will already know most of this… It was a really, really nice day… like 19C which for Scotland in April is very good indeed. So my plan was to go out a nice cycle maybe to Loch Lomond and back. I got all geared up in my sexy cycling gear. Then went outside, to get my bike. Only to find it had a flat tyre. If I had been in England, it would have been OK. Since I have the tools to fix it. But I did not have anything at all to fix it. So all I could do, was put the bike back away. Then think of something else, to do in the great weather.
So I went back inside, half changed out of my cycling gear. In other words I kept my cycling shorts on, just put “normal” shorts on over the top of them and changed out of my cycling top. Then I set off out towards the Campsie Fells, which was just a very short walk from my Mum and Dads house in Killearn.
The plain was only to go a short walk, but ended up doing 8.14 miles. I know this since I took my cycle GPS with me :). Now I will bore you with some of my walking stats. I spent 2:16.39 (h:m:s) walking. Avg speed was 3.6 mph, not 2 bad for hill walking if you ask me. Max speed was 12.7 mph, yes I did a bit of running also. Min elevation was 87 meters and max elevation was 535 meters. So well pleased with myself. In the whole time I lived in Killearn, it’s the highest, up point I have ever got to up the Campsie Fells.
While doing the walk, I also got some great photos. Please check them out at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/me/2011/page/5/.
Oh in that photo above did not go 2 far into the water, since it was a bit on the cold side. Also had no idea how deep it was. I have a feeling it’s a lot deeper than it looks. But next time, I go up will make sure I have my wetsuit with me, to find out :).
Here is my third and last vlog, I filmed while walking up the Campsie Fells in Scotland.
Here some photos from the walk…
Lots more can be found at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/me/2011/page/4/.
Here is the second part of my walk up the Campsie Fells, starting to get a lot higher now…
Last part will be posted very soon…
I was planning to go out a cycle, but my bike had a flat tyre. Since it was a great day, went out a walk… Ended up going up the Campsie Fells.
Part 2 will be posted very soon indeed :).
I went to Glasgow to see my younger brother Craig and his girlfriend Alison. I think I did very well indeed to place there flat. I did have my Dads car sat nav with me. But it was no help at all, since my Dad likes to get our names mixed up, so when I told it, to check me to Craig’s it had the address for Douglas on it. So I then went looking for Douglas’ address on it, hoping it would then have Craig’s on it. But no, that would have been, way, to easy.
Lucky I had been a number of times before. But never driven there before myself without a sat nav. But lucky for me if I go somewhere, two or the times, I can find the place. You also have to remember that Glasgow is one the biggest cites in the UK. They live on the side, of the city, I next to never been 2. Till they both moved there.
But even without a sat nav I still got there just about on time. Once there we all went out a nice walk and also called in a place called Church on the Hill to get some food. Now to do a mini review of the place. But of all, it’s a very nice pub inside. Lots of places to seat down, to drink and eat. But there on it, can’t say much good about the place. We ordered food at the bar, but then had to wait for 30 minutes to 45 minutes to get it. Which if you ask me, is way, way to long to be waiting for food. But at least once the food did turn up, it was very nice indeed. I am sure I would go again, just hope the service is better, or I would never go again.
Then after the meal, we then went a walk around a Queen Park, and all had a good chat. Then it was back to there flat, for while and more chatting. Before I went back home. Lucky the drive back is nice and easy, just had to follow the signs for the tunnel.
So thanks to Alison and Craig for having me :).