In three days I begin my 3 day 190 mile ride to Torquay or Babbacombe Downs specifically. I’m looking forward to my little mini-tour. The weather looks like it’s picked up for the week but my fitness has took a dip.
The last two weeks have been a bit busier than I like for me and quite stressful. In the run up to my Wyre We Riding gravel ride last weekend I spent a couple of days away in Mansfield working which curtailed riding that week. On Saturday I blew my doors off on the event getting hunger knock quite bad because I didn’t or couldn’t eat properly all day and then this week I’ve been away again in North Wales working, trying to get an ebike subscription project over the line before I go off on annual leave for a week on Wednesday.
Since last Saturday I’ve skipped the gym and only managed a shortened session on the turbo Friday night. Just not enough riding in the bag. I was just too tired to complete it but yesterday I finally got outside for a ride.
The sunshine came out in the afternoon which made the ride really nice and warm. I rode a mix of trails and roads and rode back upto Four Stones on Clent again to chase away the demons of last weekend’s bonked slog up there. Despite being a little less fit, I managed a gear or two higher which gave me some confidence but my legs weren’t happy then or this morning when I woke up but it did clear my head and make me feel better which was more important.
My routes to Torquay are done and I am now also the proud owner of a pair of Ortlieb Back Roller Classic pannier bags. Ooooooo these are nice! In a previous post I’d discussed getting these bags and debating what colour to go for. I got a bit of stick for pinning my choice on the (boring) grey and that stayed the case until recently when some friends and Sally gave me their thoughts.
First up I was badgered to get the Orange and then when I asked Sally her thoughts, she liked the Petrol colour. I put buying them off until last week when I suddenly remembered I needed to get them, then took the plunge and right at the death I flicked from my original Asphalt (grey) choice and went with Petrol. Why? It is a nice colour and a bit different I guess. It doesn’t match my bike or any of my kit but who cares really? and that’s me.
Shout out to Scotby Cycles who I bought them off. Very quick service, well packaged.
They came packed flat in a recyclable cardboard box. When you take them out the box you can just see and feel the quality. Nice thick solid material which is obviously waterproof and pretty big inside too. The QL2.1 system which attaches them to the rack is tried and tested so I’m hopeful they fit well and don’t rattle. I’ll do a review of them when I get back but look out for some posts while I’m away riding to Babbacombe.
Till then, Adios.
Enjoy 👌🙂