CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[mickthemaverick]

A tempter Jim?

Own work

[Skull]

Saddle looks comfy Is it still there Mick

[mickthemaverick]

Yes it was at 7.35 this evening as we left and I noticed it is a Raleigh ten speed!!. It is in a pub car park leaning against the kitchen wall so may last a day or two!!

[CitroJim]

A tempter Jim?

Sadly I have zero room for another... I five bikes at last count and whilst appreciating the ideal number of bikes is given by the formula n+1, I really can't and mustn't...

[Armidillo]

A tempter Jim?

Sadly I have zero room for another... I five bikes at last count and whilst appreciating the ideal number of bikes is given by the formula n+1, I really can't and mustn't...

Doesn't look your style anyway Jim - too much steel!

[Hell Razor5543]

A tempter Jim?

I just hope it isn't somebody playing a prank on somebody else, ending up with their bicycle being 'stolen'!

[CitroJim]

Doesn't look your style anyway Jim - too much steel!

I have a steel bike in my collection James They can be as light as carbon and mine is... Made of very specialist Reynolds tubing...

They ride beautifully - steel has a certain 'give' that makes them very comfy whilst not feeling all soggy and floppy.

Aluminium bikes can be very harsh and stiff - my TT bike is aluminium alloy and whilst it's blindingly fast it's both heavier and a lot less forgiving over rough roads then either steel or carbon...

Arguably, steel is still the best material from which to make a top-end bike... Some say titanium but as I've never ridden a titanium bike I cannot comment.

Carbon can get close to steel but has a finite life. A steel bike is forever... And they have classic good looks...

[RichardW]

I ended up with another steel frame when I bought my current bike, Reynolds 725 tubing, can't get over how thin it is, yet plenty stuff where it needs to be. I'm a little old fashioned and think the slim circular tubing just looks 'right'. I quite fancy a Ti frame, just because! They really are forever whereas I have broken several steel ones....

[CitroJim]

I'm a little old fashioned and think the slim circular tubing just looks 'right'.

Totally agree Richard

I must try to get to ride a Ti framed bike. One of my carbon bikes (my TCR) is not far off end of life and I'll soon have to consider its successor...

I'm planning on riding for at least another 20 years so a Ti bike could be a good investment!

[CitroJim]

Yesterday I ran the Stevington 12K - a road race between three most picturesque and pretty rural Bedfordshire villages along some stunning scenery...

The more rural parts of Bedfordshire are something of a hidden gem and a well-kept secret.

The event has been running now for 41 years and is very much a local institution. It sells out every year and virtually every resident of each village, Stevington, Oakley - the childhood home of Paula Radcliffe, and Pavenham, come out en-masse to cheer us on our way... Even the motorists seem to be benevolent toward a massive number of runners taking up a lot of road space

It's a race that's been on my bucket list for a few years now but up until this year it always clashed with other events... I've finally done it and it did not disappoint

The photographer did a great job

I was running in orange in memory of our very much-loved Pete who died suddenly and tragically whilst out for a run last Sunday. Orange was his favourite colour...

After the race we, along with the entire village, enjoyed cakes and a barbie in the village hall... It was a magical day out

And even better, all proceeds went to charity...

[CitroJim]

Today's fun

An awesome day at Sywell Country Park in Northamptonshire...

And, apart from being a bit tired, I still have two fully functional legs

Actually, feeling remarkably good

[Skull]

Great pace that Jim Well Done

[Armidillo]

Congratulations Jim - a remarkable achievement! I wonder if you'll get any stiffness - funny how it often seems worse on the 2nd day after the big effort.

[myglaren]

That's about six months worth of shanks' for me. At about 2mph.

[CitroJim]

Great pace that Jim Well Done

Thanks Skull I was surprised at the pace considering I walked the hills, took photos and walked to chat to many lovely people, both dog walkers and fellow runners!

Congratulations Jim - a remarkable achievement! I wonder if you'll get any stiffness - funny how it often seems worse on the 2nd day after the big effort.

Thanks Alec and yes indeed, a condition called DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness)... No sign of it early this morning but to guard against it, after an early trip to the supermarket I'll go for a slow recovery run and a bike ride... Works well for me.

I'd have gone for a bike ride yesterday but we ended up being deluged by epic thunderstorms!

That's about six months worth of shanks' for me. At about 2mph.

It's a good bit further than I normally drive in a week Steve!