16-Apr-2014 : Fun mini 32 mile cycle!

At long last starting to get some miles in! Did 50.81 miles yesterday and 32.26 miles today. So since Monday (14th April) that takes my total up to 104.96 miles. So not bad in just 3 days I guess. Tomorrow, I will try to get at least 40 miles in. Which will get my monthly total so far, to around 300 miles.

I will now leave you with the route map, elevation graph and route statistics.

Route map:-

16-04-2014 bike ride

Elevation graph:-

16-04-2014 bike ride elevation graph

Route statistics:-

  • Start time: 10:57 am.
  • Distance: 32.26 miles.
  • Time: 2:38:25 (h:m:s).
  • Elapsed Time: 3:23:51 (h:m:s).
  • Avg Speed: 12.2 mph.
  • Max Speed: 30.1 mph.
  • Elevation Gain: 365 meters.
  • Min Elevation: 63 meters.
  • Max Elevation: 153 meters.

Data from: Garmin Connect.

15-Apr-2014 : First half century (50 miles) of April 2014

Just done my first half century (50 miles) cycle of the month. Which normally, I would be very happy with. But till now the longest cycle of the month has only been 35.64 miles. So need to do a good number more 50+ cycle this month, to get my total up!

I will now leave you with the route map, elevation graph and route statistics.

Route map:-

15-04-2014 bike ride

Elevation graph:-

15-04-2014 bike ride elevation graph

Route statistics:-

  • Start time: 11:54 am.
  • Distance: 50.81 miles.
  • Time: 3:55:13 (h:m:s).
  • Elapsed Time: 5:00:28 (h:m:s).
  • Avg Speed: 13 mph.
  • Max Speed: 29.2 mph.
  • Elevation Gain: 517 meters.
  • Min Elevation: 41 meters.
  • Max Elevation: 162 meters.

Data from: Garmin Connect.

Updated National Cycle Network section : 15/04/2014

I have just updated the National Cycle Network sub section of my website. By added some photos of NCR 48.

So I now have some photos from: NCR 1, NCR 7, NCR 12, NCR 15, NCR 63, NCR 48, NCR 64 and NCR 74.

Please check out the section at www.gordon-valentine.com/cycling/national-cycle-network/ and let me know what you think of it so far :).

Middle of April 2014 most popular photos

Below are the top three most looked at photos on this website so far during April 2014.

Number 1 (2,276 views) : Hard at work!
Hard at work!

Number 2 (768 views) : Myself driving the Mallard!
Myself driving the Mallard!

Number 3 (745 views) : Wetsuit cycling
Wetsuit cycling

Holwell Reservoir photos : 14-04-2014

Not often, I am out cycling and something makes me stop and say “WOW what is the hell is that??” Well today, I found one of them places. Can’t really tell you think about it. Looked all over google. All that I can tell you, it’s called “Holwell Reservoir” also searching for “Holwell Works” and “Holwell Works Pumping House” will find some information, but mainly just photos that others have taken.




More photos from this set can be found at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/england/holwell-reservoir/.

14-Apr-2014 : Second cycle looking at Old Dalby Test Track

Today I put my bike in the back of my car. Then set up to Asfordby in Leicestershire. Then I had a fun cycle around, looking parts of the Old Dalby Test Track, that I did not see last week. Still got many more parts to check out. Since the line is 13.5 miles (21.7 km) in length.

I will now leave you with the route map, elevation graph, route statistics and some of the many photos I took :).

Route map:-

14-04-2014 bike ride

Elevation graph:-

14-04-2014 bike ride elevation graph

Route statistics:-

  • Start time: 1:10 pm.
  • Distance: 21.89 miles.
  • Time: 1:51:39 (h:m:s).
  • Elapsed Time: 4:09:27 (h:m:s).
  • Avg Speed: 11.8 mph.
  • Max Speed: 31.1 mph.
  • Elevation Gain: 517 meters.
  • Min Elevation: 65 meters.
  • Max Elevation: 151 meters.

Data from: Garmin Connect.

Photos from the cycle:-

DSC03495DSC03508DSC03512DSC03514

DSC03523DSC03536DSC03548DSC03555

Love being helpless in my neoprene sleepsack

I made up my mind, it was about time I was all helpless inside my neoprene sleepsack again! So lucky a good friend was in the area, that was only too happy to help!

Can’t wait to read your comments!! So get commenting!! 😀

Neoprene sleepsack

Neoprene sleepsack

Neoprene sleepsack and hood

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 12/04/2014

Parking Mad: episode 1 (YouView app screenshot)The Crimson Field (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Sunday 13th April 2014)

Drama series presenting one of the untold stories of World War I. The volunteers settle into life at the hospital but Kitty keeps herself at a distance and its clear to Grace that something is deeply troubling her. Despite this, Kitty throws herself into her work, helping new patients Major Crecy and Private Byeford. Crecy awakens from the brink of death but still badly wounded to find his troops have been decimated. As the world closes in around him he clings to his friendship with Byeford, but when his wife Adelinde visits he finds himself torn between the old life back home and a new one with his men. Meanwhile, the hospital readies for a convoy of new patients. With resources stretched, Joan views it as a chance for the volunteers’ skills to be put to good use but Margaret does not think they are ready. Will the girls live up to Joan’s expectations?

Bang Goes the Theory (BBC 1/HD | 7:30pm to 8:00pm | Monday 14th April 2014)

Series presenting the science behind the headlines, and looking at the issues that have a real impact on all our lives. With the waters receding, Bang Goes the Theory takes a more considered look at the recent floods. Did global warming play a part, or is this simply the extreme end of the natural cycle? Maggie investigates the real threat of storm surge as water levels rise, Liz Bonnin looks at how to use nature to ‘slow the flow’ and the team are joined by Charlie Dimmock who wants to know if her love for patios and decking might have played a part in creating urban flash floods.

Real Storage Wars: Business Boomers (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 14th April 2014)

Four-part series on businesses that have boomed despite tough economic times. This episode discovers why Britain came to have the biggest self-storage industry in Europe, when just three decades ago the industry didn’t even exist in this country. It is the entertaining tale of canny entrepreneurs who grew rich selling empty space, of the garish multicoloured monster sheds that have sprung up around towns and cities and – above all – of Britain’s national predilection for buying stuff and hoarding it.

Clydebuilt: The Ships That Made the Commonwealth (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 14th April 2014)

Documentary series exploring the stories of four ships built on the river Clyde. This programme tells the story of the Robert E. Lee, one of the most famous Clydebuilt blockade running paddle steamers. During the American Civil War, Glasgow shipbuilders and captains made a fortune transporting war supplies to the Confederate South and returning with valuable cotton. To run the blockade of Union warships these paddle steamers had to be fast and their crews fearless.

Shetland (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 15th April 2014)

Crime drama set on the remote Scottish islands. Time is running out for Detective Inspector Perez as prime suspect Peter Latimer lies critically ill in hospital. Was the fire a drunken accident, or was Peter Latimer the second victim of a murderer still free on Fair Isle?

Watermen: A Dirty Business (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 15th April 2014)

Getting clean water can be a dirty business; whether it is a blocked drain or faulty faucet, people only notice when something goes wrong. For the men and women who run and work for one of Britain’s biggest water companies no job is too big or too small, too messy or too revolting. Episode one sees the workers of United Utilities face the effects of Britain’s hottest summer in seven years. As temperatures rise so do the often smelly and revolting jobs that customer service technicians Adrian and Wes have to handle. It takes a strong stomach to do what these boys do and as long people continue to flush wet wipes and nappies there will always be a drain to unblock. However, it’s the out of town reservoirs, where sun seekers put their lives at risk by not paying attention to warning signs, that are one of the biggest worry during the heat wave; and we see the devastating impact that death can have on the team charged with patrolling the area.

Parking Mad (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 17th April 2014)

Documentary series about the world of parking, following the work of those in the public and private parking sectors and telling the stories of motorists involved in parking disputes. The series also follows the tribunals that adjudicate parking disputes between motorists and councils, and the bailiffs who pursue unpaid fines. In this episode, parking campaigner Mr Mustard helps a 93-year-old man appeal against a fine he has been given by Barnet Council. At a roadside operation run jointly with the police, bailiff Debbie is confronted by a very angry man – will she be able to confiscate his van? In Lincoln, we meet the team dealing with parking in an increasingly busy city centre. Residents in a quiet Sussex village take direct action to stop commuters to London from parking on their road, which happens to be right next to the station. And in Devon, a businessman has developed a talking parking ticket.

Inside Edinburgh Airport (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 17th April 2014)

The first of a two-part documentary charting how Edinburgh Airport is adapting to change under a new management team. In this edition, new boarding pass security scanners cause confusion when passengers misinterpret the meaning of ‘face down’. Management are called in to help on the busiest day of the year, as 40,000 passengers pass through the airport, but things start to go wrong when the main baggage belt fails. Plus, the launch Virgin’s Little Red and the arrival of BA’s Dreamliner.

Have I Got News for You (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 9:30pm | Friday 18th April 2014)

The popular news quiz, with team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, guest host Jeremy Clarkson and guest panellists Henning Wehn and Baroness Shirley Williams.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.