tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3906982538566819712024-02-20T02:37:30.418+00:00The Fat Cycle RiderAt 31 years old and 21 stone I decided I had to get fit and lose some weight. I got a bicycle and hope this will be the start of the rest of my life!Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.comBlogger324125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-9936750785322662332018-05-09T18:26:00.000+01:002018-05-09T18:26:18.359+01:008 Common Side Effects of Weight Loss Nobody Talks AboutThis is a great article from MyFitnessPal I thought I'd share.<br />
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<a href="https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/8-common-side-effects-weight-loss-nobody-talks-about/">8 Common Side Effects of Weight Loss Nobody Talks About</a><br />
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<a href="https://1y2u3hx8yml32svgcf0087imj-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/8-Common-Side-Effects-of-Weight-Loss-Nobody-Talks-About-752x472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="752" height="200" src="https://1y2u3hx8yml32svgcf0087imj-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/8-Common-Side-Effects-of-Weight-Loss-Nobody-Talks-About-752x472.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-63965996882073797262018-05-02T18:10:00.001+01:002018-05-02T18:10:57.427+01:0030 days of biking 2018 - in pictures<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtT25dKSjpnPEi6IVIeDIb5voMLxfMFFPx76b8OW8liJLHdCPDM2hpYC-_8PCridQzLm7WLx8jhy0LPtS8lkyMH1BYmcqKrN4qrNrvqVLpy0OCfigSQPnUnMKK365ZihhHubwYMLLPxE/s1600/IMG_20180401_150322_156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtT25dKSjpnPEi6IVIeDIb5voMLxfMFFPx76b8OW8liJLHdCPDM2hpYC-_8PCridQzLm7WLx8jhy0LPtS8lkyMH1BYmcqKrN4qrNrvqVLpy0OCfigSQPnUnMKK365ZihhHubwYMLLPxE/s320/IMG_20180401_150322_156.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NZYxPXj8RP6-g_7asfONFy31szXcriDF8ygmlcHLSowZczBIbXODoX3T4_vzfdgzx9ET4K0s_n2cmJNA0QXy_-AL34y53pMuN3K3mqN_J4YNKMLQxKYuRfJN7bLSYEane_33C8vDwMM/s320/IMG_20180402_173019_688.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLHdF8Yh_3GoHfdXbnZ6zk_9bF6TTf3rsn9bukwD6v6DWMbIq16qphlvspyMXf4gj3nIy9Alnsf8l4hBpf9G1x6DOYf-WekGayIfiVWfyt2Li3c8D6ycoqgGTZ3mVvVplTBld5CwJDrE/s320/IMG_20180403_082006_946.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLHdF8Yh_3GoHfdXbnZ6zk_9bF6TTf3rsn9bukwD6v6DWMbIq16qphlvspyMXf4gj3nIy9Alnsf8l4hBpf9G1x6DOYf-WekGayIfiVWfyt2Li3c8D6ycoqgGTZ3mVvVplTBld5CwJDrE/s1600/IMG_20180403_082006_946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLHdF8Yh_3GoHfdXbnZ6zk_9bF6TTf3rsn9bukwD6v6DWMbIq16qphlvspyMXf4gj3nIy9Alnsf8l4hBpf9G1x6DOYf-WekGayIfiVWfyt2Li3c8D6ycoqgGTZ3mVvVplTBld5CwJDrE/s1600/IMG_20180403_082006_946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMS0gIfIya2wN-AU-zsbT2E2TFmhSlWMu4D6bbK8L5qnWsCd_hagYnyTz4hpZ-ZbW7sC_b_t1nlMMMnzOsMmy7KKltJcBeUQxioTaXHeCtDjqoz6MY1kk6c_-3F_PHkUZbSehD_gbP2o/s1600/IMG_20180404_074049_245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMS0gIfIya2wN-AU-zsbT2E2TFmhSlWMu4D6bbK8L5qnWsCd_hagYnyTz4hpZ-ZbW7sC_b_t1nlMMMnzOsMmy7KKltJcBeUQxioTaXHeCtDjqoz6MY1kk6c_-3F_PHkUZbSehD_gbP2o/s320/IMG_20180404_074049_245.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 4</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDD2w58psNT4QbYI-5PuCDEpzMG-_yVoMVbPjYdbiIkp6S_bU_le_rKten6jgSOCsAHazTlTBQqr9PwmZYWEIw2JG-sskY5VFI_MVb3zATTmbY0jt1Ai089tr4OPqMnq4X2WJr5NiYu4/s1600/IMG_20180405_080845_047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDD2w58psNT4QbYI-5PuCDEpzMG-_yVoMVbPjYdbiIkp6S_bU_le_rKten6jgSOCsAHazTlTBQqr9PwmZYWEIw2JG-sskY5VFI_MVb3zATTmbY0jt1Ai089tr4OPqMnq4X2WJr5NiYu4/s320/IMG_20180405_080845_047.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 5</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJO8-gaQSqjiWJP4eIaHh-Ux_N6VTsBTHHE5oP3yWWHQIK5FZXAtgrnzFHPsRjqbutxXB0pbAEdz5hqCENsBMcGsq82QO900JvGCFEKsZ4-jk_bN-7EIt7xRnUqhFdQTs5aDq4KuAKrz8/s1600/IMG_20180406_065916_695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJO8-gaQSqjiWJP4eIaHh-Ux_N6VTsBTHHE5oP3yWWHQIK5FZXAtgrnzFHPsRjqbutxXB0pbAEdz5hqCENsBMcGsq82QO900JvGCFEKsZ4-jk_bN-7EIt7xRnUqhFdQTs5aDq4KuAKrz8/s320/IMG_20180406_065916_695.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 6</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo_QkHiYTjlo_5li9DltLDPqOP94P0u_BlTCmSO2VTsbpPCC08aSi5z6qnbNH5uZ4-O8mRQy_W1_5DARnHZOKJzl-HzzL_06U0Q82wb88bzcsozb1UE4wruhnPV52DpgCTmwCeTBBTJo/s1600/IMG_20180407_144259_620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo_QkHiYTjlo_5li9DltLDPqOP94P0u_BlTCmSO2VTsbpPCC08aSi5z6qnbNH5uZ4-O8mRQy_W1_5DARnHZOKJzl-HzzL_06U0Q82wb88bzcsozb1UE4wruhnPV52DpgCTmwCeTBBTJo/s320/IMG_20180407_144259_620.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 7</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE59dtYrjKhaNwHGBYiedMn9-OYivLYot39vZwMCQPHSyL44NXoss0L90LK8YOYQr7wuQZw7ixtY5J5bJkfc7I43rdZVg0zyVnrHbKaJOgXipqKC0kcrK-8m93iwGJq0oQ4AGaG35-Utw/s1600/IMG_20180408_123959_851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE59dtYrjKhaNwHGBYiedMn9-OYivLYot39vZwMCQPHSyL44NXoss0L90LK8YOYQr7wuQZw7ixtY5J5bJkfc7I43rdZVg0zyVnrHbKaJOgXipqKC0kcrK-8m93iwGJq0oQ4AGaG35-Utw/s320/IMG_20180408_123959_851.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 8</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbuIJpF-gSbcRGxT6RYdEkhXr-CYZA_nIN1jxV-qcgsFS41k_O-TFcY1JOAEMADr7OCx-5_WpHueT4ZzjeW8ItAcwi-5O1wB_gpPy_rF3i9w9F3Ai2j4vo7H8X7Au5LnV4NFdnjvVLYc/s1600/IMG_20180409_072426_930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbuIJpF-gSbcRGxT6RYdEkhXr-CYZA_nIN1jxV-qcgsFS41k_O-TFcY1JOAEMADr7OCx-5_WpHueT4ZzjeW8ItAcwi-5O1wB_gpPy_rF3i9w9F3Ai2j4vo7H8X7Au5LnV4NFdnjvVLYc/s320/IMG_20180409_072426_930.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 9</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi1FBEskhQN4t4ebpmh9-dSU7coDUu1uibwjeUmkObK-oU83LXlJYmBTmJYx862lTNWxGaTa335VRoQ2DkFq24Cz6yFEt1D69ybNgR1D57C6PKKvh7DpGv0rGWNg-l2U1-Fwz4m1L534/s1600/IMG_20180410_172212_663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi1FBEskhQN4t4ebpmh9-dSU7coDUu1uibwjeUmkObK-oU83LXlJYmBTmJYx862lTNWxGaTa335VRoQ2DkFq24Cz6yFEt1D69ybNgR1D57C6PKKvh7DpGv0rGWNg-l2U1-Fwz4m1L534/s320/IMG_20180410_172212_663.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 10</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNj0vZVyUlzOQt5kmo0uNgPiTfd-LSDUhLkcDyO1v2iQ2EHWaUNuZnMtP5oKEb876vvT-Jq5RMKgpJ1VVtaWYX5QaWFHEKkcsJWUYoFMQ7RZeJjWodNHxVCLK0feNaH-yTYQlKfmgO4Q/s1600/IMG_20180411_070753_412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNj0vZVyUlzOQt5kmo0uNgPiTfd-LSDUhLkcDyO1v2iQ2EHWaUNuZnMtP5oKEb876vvT-Jq5RMKgpJ1VVtaWYX5QaWFHEKkcsJWUYoFMQ7RZeJjWodNHxVCLK0feNaH-yTYQlKfmgO4Q/s320/IMG_20180411_070753_412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 11</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eorlfFCq4yJNPYxCtdVUCZ6zP9Pop633Vxk21M82TgDreigSbxg7z1sDljNIdBxUhbyOoQa9NOzkWxv4o5Jx1bpRHHav9esSiA0HBJCfvZy29rYcOUKcAfMOnz0i-Nx7OLwbP3UpTTQ/s1600/IMG_20180412_080010_819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eorlfFCq4yJNPYxCtdVUCZ6zP9Pop633Vxk21M82TgDreigSbxg7z1sDljNIdBxUhbyOoQa9NOzkWxv4o5Jx1bpRHHav9esSiA0HBJCfvZy29rYcOUKcAfMOnz0i-Nx7OLwbP3UpTTQ/s320/IMG_20180412_080010_819.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 12</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjIBvPVO7CzBMARLd4psXIvfUc7VTvu7ssRBLsV06PzP5tBrtvkLIy2aZRRXBUJsX0UWGTOuZ-_iyna9roUxh9E0Vry6VwMpMvMcpgxf_2d9TgrmUP4-1Zm7xwtA71RzfVpRU7_4AdSw/s1600/IMG_20180413_072804_183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjIBvPVO7CzBMARLd4psXIvfUc7VTvu7ssRBLsV06PzP5tBrtvkLIy2aZRRXBUJsX0UWGTOuZ-_iyna9roUxh9E0Vry6VwMpMvMcpgxf_2d9TgrmUP4-1Zm7xwtA71RzfVpRU7_4AdSw/s320/IMG_20180413_072804_183.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 13</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEAHQDgovBOmuB01U79jPufoejWyG28IntZeIQK9cC8zCBTu1le3WDqIhHUTBhdOt_ht5jdW8Xwvh7j3h455lg443-na_DKQsmph7KplcPfGYvwbNq2ykpAL8aecRoicfN3FBe56WdKA/s1600/IMG_20180414_155311_107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEAHQDgovBOmuB01U79jPufoejWyG28IntZeIQK9cC8zCBTu1le3WDqIhHUTBhdOt_ht5jdW8Xwvh7j3h455lg443-na_DKQsmph7KplcPfGYvwbNq2ykpAL8aecRoicfN3FBe56WdKA/s320/IMG_20180414_155311_107.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 14</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPpbnd-hiGGjF5_dHF-klThs7uv09Nt8hNyCZMxeshsSL2wti6AWsRlpBVU-Y0WFIsoIwMgnmvUom6faZR1sQlBPGpUbSbPDoZzPrP4XLPBNkgNBoJlwp-z9XxUZp998LARRPj6BV5n0/s1600/20180415_123014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPpbnd-hiGGjF5_dHF-klThs7uv09Nt8hNyCZMxeshsSL2wti6AWsRlpBVU-Y0WFIsoIwMgnmvUom6faZR1sQlBPGpUbSbPDoZzPrP4XLPBNkgNBoJlwp-z9XxUZp998LARRPj6BV5n0/s320/20180415_123014.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 15</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4PEiT-khB7EAeUSCnz54l5tyZ6hkb1qVzS4IT4ZfO2TCVU2DfriKW7EKgicHdb_cqN4lfOW4cFAMbeYPstuYMoCNhnje9aZBO3sGuZYnRWI9xD9cq27wuXZ0rmHuGrnsfyRGHSQJSL0/s1600/IMG_20180416_074654_342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4PEiT-khB7EAeUSCnz54l5tyZ6hkb1qVzS4IT4ZfO2TCVU2DfriKW7EKgicHdb_cqN4lfOW4cFAMbeYPstuYMoCNhnje9aZBO3sGuZYnRWI9xD9cq27wuXZ0rmHuGrnsfyRGHSQJSL0/s320/IMG_20180416_074654_342.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 16</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY1xkcZ823bI1a-COXeDllsLLSRW52YJyM5q6XM1U_t-nHhUb_cqEs6ImOls4kidNLahYYS-ckizvgk0zlzmBpzuV16JU-nMlEOvP92rL_xgCbiLW2QeVnS3zgCJA1KG9iHvuitIv4hg/s1600/IMG_20180417_070121_136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY1xkcZ823bI1a-COXeDllsLLSRW52YJyM5q6XM1U_t-nHhUb_cqEs6ImOls4kidNLahYYS-ckizvgk0zlzmBpzuV16JU-nMlEOvP92rL_xgCbiLW2QeVnS3zgCJA1KG9iHvuitIv4hg/s320/IMG_20180417_070121_136.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 17</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3f2fd5xJND87Du7EZ9aYvjoZyjL5BKj98r9JB_YNVcrfK4652tct8HnyW15n2zTGwAsvXKAGpxKMLCpk6WDkRY7Hgw2XrPUBBxF7gkF1_5wvLOn040pWIf6Eg2FQDCFUAnbFGsEEE_E/s1600/IMG_20180418_073118_090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3f2fd5xJND87Du7EZ9aYvjoZyjL5BKj98r9JB_YNVcrfK4652tct8HnyW15n2zTGwAsvXKAGpxKMLCpk6WDkRY7Hgw2XrPUBBxF7gkF1_5wvLOn040pWIf6Eg2FQDCFUAnbFGsEEE_E/s320/IMG_20180418_073118_090.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 18</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gdN3yEHP9kbyiNRGRW5epA_HraiCP-14oyq6774glt0Mwd3g7q-qKx_f0IHp8699YGjIU5EexUfF8EH6x6GlVgM_v2MnjAjtJJqDKo92C7_EI2I2vSdqVURvzd2_CeEmUM6S2tSrjQc/s1600/IMG_20180419_180019_504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gdN3yEHP9kbyiNRGRW5epA_HraiCP-14oyq6774glt0Mwd3g7q-qKx_f0IHp8699YGjIU5EexUfF8EH6x6GlVgM_v2MnjAjtJJqDKo92C7_EI2I2vSdqVURvzd2_CeEmUM6S2tSrjQc/s320/IMG_20180419_180019_504.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 19</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJRLtOPRSfNkhmWdDFjWsEtXez_Brfrz8mwMcm5eI4CA00H5sOD6cDGbF90BaqaLp9GZtHIdLeLURTbeQyQJ3qs-TSPlDTvYUnSdFp-hrAcNnMNi6ALHXO8h5J7sfHh2EGqx5icM9gpk/s1600/IMG_20180420_073859_329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJRLtOPRSfNkhmWdDFjWsEtXez_Brfrz8mwMcm5eI4CA00H5sOD6cDGbF90BaqaLp9GZtHIdLeLURTbeQyQJ3qs-TSPlDTvYUnSdFp-hrAcNnMNi6ALHXO8h5J7sfHh2EGqx5icM9gpk/s320/IMG_20180420_073859_329.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 20</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_CD29raHGE7e-V_2Qw3k7WcZAb6reDVTYqq1_4EHZZpUGWGYXSYYbPKQmYSgIo_7R99sBqVjaGsDDhLhzdA05QOiL2dJUVfdEUxDdZcasf102c1nK_q9-g5hNnHVKmFgrPs6BByqO_4/s1600/IMG_20180421_101054_314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_CD29raHGE7e-V_2Qw3k7WcZAb6reDVTYqq1_4EHZZpUGWGYXSYYbPKQmYSgIo_7R99sBqVjaGsDDhLhzdA05QOiL2dJUVfdEUxDdZcasf102c1nK_q9-g5hNnHVKmFgrPs6BByqO_4/s320/IMG_20180421_101054_314.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 21</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkVnH0qWsmChnS2QLh1JZ0uxeklDlWqOuPk8WgVzSr3DpXaavQ2klqMcIvS7WCOBE78EvyP7pZNs-sATtwBbBx-8wxkDwged1cginHQ88cHOJ5thZS9lx5SZXE8aiHe89zlKyceR0UKs/s1600/IMG_20180422_132937_597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkVnH0qWsmChnS2QLh1JZ0uxeklDlWqOuPk8WgVzSr3DpXaavQ2klqMcIvS7WCOBE78EvyP7pZNs-sATtwBbBx-8wxkDwged1cginHQ88cHOJ5thZS9lx5SZXE8aiHe89zlKyceR0UKs/s320/IMG_20180422_132937_597.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 22</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wgtU3yp5RT7b2v5jWK5gZ2UtHORWfRt5NOuA0dHpckcXZ25jlQLL36rbUiw-2z1IGCVlcEmRzq-6dFGsw-NxpVE9vcF3r1neNuSSmqW_xA-drvGSg06wHbBE26Qk-ETc6tnLiLGCdGI/s1600/IMG_20180423_073448_591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wgtU3yp5RT7b2v5jWK5gZ2UtHORWfRt5NOuA0dHpckcXZ25jlQLL36rbUiw-2z1IGCVlcEmRzq-6dFGsw-NxpVE9vcF3r1neNuSSmqW_xA-drvGSg06wHbBE26Qk-ETc6tnLiLGCdGI/s320/IMG_20180423_073448_591.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 23</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJZWz2laI-07ENzyFeE10tw2bKRM7GGgbLfXeDRLn-mfjR3R1w9lcC1amz9E01K5ETYNTtdqm5HMB1yus7F2IZ6gAUQYaxXmF5or5xcGOofTl-5NdY3kAK3HilUdVQwEOFfgJysp1ka8/s1600/IMG_20180424_172022_929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJZWz2laI-07ENzyFeE10tw2bKRM7GGgbLfXeDRLn-mfjR3R1w9lcC1amz9E01K5ETYNTtdqm5HMB1yus7F2IZ6gAUQYaxXmF5or5xcGOofTl-5NdY3kAK3HilUdVQwEOFfgJysp1ka8/s320/IMG_20180424_172022_929.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 24</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwKfUlzFfp-kZgqZqI67cJlOWmas2rX1zOiMYoTPJT6G1kHl0LMV9DqbcRGWb7h9IDkcQS2apzUYpxbsmlIFMerZejaeaig5gDyo-9d9VTFgHJVwUISiDl8c95nZFbqKq1-b0C49P3JA/s1600/IMG_20180425_070524_361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwKfUlzFfp-kZgqZqI67cJlOWmas2rX1zOiMYoTPJT6G1kHl0LMV9DqbcRGWb7h9IDkcQS2apzUYpxbsmlIFMerZejaeaig5gDyo-9d9VTFgHJVwUISiDl8c95nZFbqKq1-b0C49P3JA/s320/IMG_20180425_070524_361.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 25</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrwpfpZ3vfUeq6sevL8RCl19QO5InNjpLhyphenhyphenH6Sl8fk9jC8Uz5I_3HtZL02EZVzd9bzOMbprKqoDzvSYnAid-jvKCDgDla3P-9RyIYpm_iOWkgXKIFfBg38zkHolNNhQjhl7uDgnTWpQ0/s1600/IMG_20180426_073832_285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrwpfpZ3vfUeq6sevL8RCl19QO5InNjpLhyphenhyphenH6Sl8fk9jC8Uz5I_3HtZL02EZVzd9bzOMbprKqoDzvSYnAid-jvKCDgDla3P-9RyIYpm_iOWkgXKIFfBg38zkHolNNhQjhl7uDgnTWpQ0/s320/IMG_20180426_073832_285.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 26</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H0daRKBYV36ewTTPquY1ARbTfFkin_Xw_G3gGvBCKAuYJMzRtb8patU6ZWy62FUwqUKxMQ5QoYKvL9CUpzRa5QTCaOmhuCJDtk9MlfM6dwSQCRQfxS76GheI5MtUi_f2LBXqTFVVMpM/s1600/IMG_20180427_065407_278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H0daRKBYV36ewTTPquY1ARbTfFkin_Xw_G3gGvBCKAuYJMzRtb8patU6ZWy62FUwqUKxMQ5QoYKvL9CUpzRa5QTCaOmhuCJDtk9MlfM6dwSQCRQfxS76GheI5MtUi_f2LBXqTFVVMpM/s320/IMG_20180427_065407_278.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 27</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94V7_1jeB76RY4e16HzcR7Xt102hezSCxZEVfDceetc_BYWFvrBXuF4TJK7J2ymOOSh6B-WUCFQpw3yen-oE1ggUurPly4E6Semp-uPmfmF1liqIn-0-pS-6RGIOUcl0Ztvex1SFKDlc/s1600/IMG_20180428_093154_434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94V7_1jeB76RY4e16HzcR7Xt102hezSCxZEVfDceetc_BYWFvrBXuF4TJK7J2ymOOSh6B-WUCFQpw3yen-oE1ggUurPly4E6Semp-uPmfmF1liqIn-0-pS-6RGIOUcl0Ztvex1SFKDlc/s320/IMG_20180428_093154_434.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 28</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCb5TLKBDcQWxGA1pOMbG3lmPngVc70AM8uJpxWZnYH0tyKeOYUIFihXYqX1jw-FOCyQtcnuJbuijVYwLJJ4fTNslG51fKbuwPYXQ8SBEX0SpMeo5sZUrNQlf_P-KdXJCKD41X0yOkhk/s1600/IMG_20180429_141249_069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCb5TLKBDcQWxGA1pOMbG3lmPngVc70AM8uJpxWZnYH0tyKeOYUIFihXYqX1jw-FOCyQtcnuJbuijVYwLJJ4fTNslG51fKbuwPYXQ8SBEX0SpMeo5sZUrNQlf_P-KdXJCKD41X0yOkhk/s320/IMG_20180429_141249_069.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 29</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgDjqeKdvJltdtcwSC3Rn-IWU3tVOYFUPHG1Gi85iBCO7Sgt0WscRxdKtIc97_hlt6WRPZMllsuRleoyaCg_cOpGWQvLUQRqUiATcZmUH2lzw1Sr5yfV8pvtJtCG7tr8bGFoCdqOU71M/s1600/IMG_20180430_173728_659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgDjqeKdvJltdtcwSC3Rn-IWU3tVOYFUPHG1Gi85iBCO7Sgt0WscRxdKtIc97_hlt6WRPZMllsuRleoyaCg_cOpGWQvLUQRqUiATcZmUH2lzw1Sr5yfV8pvtJtCG7tr8bGFoCdqOU71M/s320/IMG_20180430_173728_659.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 30</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-5465167342051552462018-04-05T20:27:00.001+01:002018-04-05T20:33:55.612+01:00All you need to know about cycling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPwoxT1G2HxSVbV1zHRM2J4DTbPVAGzToKKmBsw6ndtAvWr2mlF19E8VDjLtATVE7IkdAlR_RQDuNPvOwDnJKhM7LI5j2OlHyLJeLF7jvXenzHzPYJXg4zDwYgJpS6udrMzBbUaMMhfU/s1600/4388572152_736951324a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1000" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPwoxT1G2HxSVbV1zHRM2J4DTbPVAGzToKKmBsw6ndtAvWr2mlF19E8VDjLtATVE7IkdAlR_RQDuNPvOwDnJKhM7LI5j2OlHyLJeLF7jvXenzHzPYJXg4zDwYgJpS6udrMzBbUaMMhfU/s200/4388572152_736951324a_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Did you know that cycling dates back to the 19th century? Whether people were doing it to kill time, for transport reasons or got into cycling as a sport, ever since the first bike was introduced – the obsession only grew stronger! For more fun history facts, cool cycling equipment, or whatever triggers your interest in the cycling world, check out the infographic below.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.16best.net/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-cycling/"><img border="0" src="https://www.16best.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Cycling-facts-ig.png" width="100%" /></a>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-77740619643899292562018-03-13T21:01:00.000+00:002018-03-13T21:04:37.327+00:008 year anniversary<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Today is my anniversary. 8 years ago today I rode my new cycle to work scheme bike for the first time. I rode that same bike around the same route again today.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I've ridden 40,500 miles and 31,000 miles have been commuting. I've cycled an average of 200 working days a year come wind, rain, hail, and snow.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I still look after my weight do sports that I never would have attempted before.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My whole life has changed. My kids don't remember having a 'Fat' dad and I'm a better role model for them.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If you're reading this and have followed my story for some time then thank you for staying with me.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If you're reading this and are wanting to change your life then I am proof of what can be done.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnm21PC_6DZSeQIToXE8XYvH2a4mBxvAQbxxdxKLoZblSfy_iARIjH2Klv8-mCbygk2ZoPpcMqW-FIJ_GwJaq-iHzXD4z7Vv3tlaWkVhvbP35R9eTmmWs_2i6TRA7xQRhZp9gTI6DmmE/s1600/IMG_20180313_133312_787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnm21PC_6DZSeQIToXE8XYvH2a4mBxvAQbxxdxKLoZblSfy_iARIjH2Klv8-mCbygk2ZoPpcMqW-FIJ_GwJaq-iHzXD4z7Vv3tlaWkVhvbP35R9eTmmWs_2i6TRA7xQRhZp9gTI6DmmE/s320/IMG_20180313_133312_787.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old me on day one</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-21582752511249576682017-09-24T21:03:00.000+01:002017-09-24T21:03:27.745+01:00Garmin Ride Out 2017 Watch my video of the Garmin Ride Out through the New Forest on 1st September 2017.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vC1tGk6B_V8" width="560"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-1113279586969727672016-12-31T11:37:00.000+00:002016-12-31T11:37:38.717+00:002016 SummaryIt wasn't the best year for me on the bike.<br />
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Back trouble has been plaguing me this year and with not as many social riding opportunities, mileage has been down.<br />
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Hoping for a better 2017.<br />
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Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-10758842272036992552016-10-26T10:30:00.000+01:002016-10-26T10:30:01.034+01:00Bike Computer, the first cyclist app that cares for your safetyCyclometers and GPS tracking apps dedicated for cyclists have been around for years, yet most of them are missing a key feature for the safety conscious cyclists. Venikom aims to change that with the introduction of <a href="http://bikecomputer.co/">Bike Computer</a>, a dedicated GPS tracking mobile app encompassing the standard functionalities of a cyclometer with the addition of the Keep me Safe™ feature that notifies your emergency contacts in case of an accident.<br />
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Most of Bike Computer developers are avid cyclists, some participate in cycling events, while others cherish cycling as an alternative transportation method. The idea behind the improvement of the safety functionality of cyclometers came after a team member ended up in the emergency room with a concussion, and wasn’t able to contact anyone. No one knew what had happened to him, or where he was, it was a dreaded night of tracing his tracks in order to find him. This very experience kicked the team in gear to develop a safety feature that the current slew of cyclometer apps are lacking.<br />
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Venikom didn’t stop there, they dedicated two years of research and development, and additionally recruited pro cyclists as advisors before <a href="http://bikecomputer.co/">Bike Computer</a> came to fruition. The aim of the project was to give something different to cyclists, or at least a complementary app to their current roster of favourite apps.<br />
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As a result, Bike Computer is at least 12% more efficient in terms of energy consumption compared to the current highly rated apps such as Strava, RunKeeper, Endomondo, and others. While at the same time it has a deep integration with Strava, which lets you easily synchronise your activities.<br />
The team isn’t ready to call it a day, they are currently developing a Live Tracking feature, that would enable a coach to monitor the cyclist performance and send back appropriate advice, and a lightweight power bank that would extend the active running time of the Bike Computer for additional 15 hours.<br />
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Bike Computer is a freemium app available on <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.bikecomputer">Google Play Store</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1153508193">iTunes</a> right now. If you register in the first 60 days, the Keep Me Safe mode will be available free for the first year, after the promotional period the price will be $49 annually.<br />
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<a href="http://www.venikom.com/">Venikom</a> is not a newcomer in the IT industry, it is a software company from Macedonia established in 1994. In the portfolio of Venikom you can find well known brands such as Nike, Heineken, GQ, Vogue, Glamour, AD, Vanity Fair etc.<br />
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Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-43093080582442000842016-09-09T07:10:00.000+01:002016-09-09T07:10:21.012+01:00Featured in Cycling WeeklyI feature in the latest issue of Cycling Weekly magazine alongside Alex Dowsett. In shops now.<br />
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<br />Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-31486056864575198982016-06-20T22:17:00.000+01:002016-07-22T23:54:03.344+01:00Battle Mountain - Graeme Obree's StoryI have managed to get the Hailsham Pavilion to show this film about the inspirational and brilliantly talented cyclist turned inventor that is Graeme Obree.<br />
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The screenings are on 25 and 26 July at 7.45pm. This is the only place in the county that you can see it.<br />
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Tickets available at <a href="http://bit.ly/BattleMountainTickets">http://bit.ly/BattleMountainTickets</a><br />
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Trailer <a href="http://bit.ly/BattleMountainTrailer">http://bit.ly/BattleMountainTrailer</a><br />
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See you there...<br />
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Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-4991034090401769342016-04-17T20:33:00.000+01:002016-04-17T20:33:00.103+01:0030 days of biking 2016 - days 16 and 17<h2>
Day 16</h2>
We rode to Eastbourne Pier and got an ice cream from my good friend who runs an ice cream parlour.<br />
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The weather wasn't great. It was windy, cold and raining at times.<br />
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My boy enjoyed his ice cream though.<br />
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2016-04-16T13:01:29+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 16, 2016 at 6:01am PDT</time></div>
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Day 17</h2>
We rode to Bexhill. The weather was kind on the way out. A nice tail wind and the sun was shining.<br />
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We got lunch on our ride before heading back. The wind was against us this time and cold. My son drafted me on the way home to keep the speed up. Lots of bikes out today and lots of happy people on bikes.<br />
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Just over 22 miles today<br />
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2016-04-17T11:44:02+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 17, 2016 at 4:44am PDT</time></div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/548118115/embed/57481fb29b65ccb7ed7a7eebae19e262dd9752c4" width="590"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-74360382189653066862016-04-15T20:00:00.000+01:002016-04-17T10:44:36.314+01:0030 days of biking - days 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15<h2>
Day 11 and 12</h2>
I rode to work and back and my son rode around the block.<br />
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Day 13</h2>
I rode to work and back and my son rode up to the bike shop in Polegate to pick up some new padded shorts as he's grown out of his old ones.<br />
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Day 14 and 15</h2>
I rode to work and back and my son rode to school and back each day.<br />
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My son is now up to 140 miles at the halfway point of the month.Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-51402231609016314282016-04-10T20:00:00.000+01:002016-07-22T23:58:10.109+01:0030 days of biking 2016 - day 10Today's ride was to be the biggest of the month so far. A ride to Heathfield and back up the Cuckoo Trail. The forecast was sunshine but the wind was 19mph south easterly. Fine for the way there but not so for the way back.<br />
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We started just after 8am and stayed on the road until we got to the Cuckoo Trail. People traffic was low all the way until we got to Hailsham. We stopped at Subway for breakfast. We then proceed up the Cuckoo Trail again. We saw a number of cyclists, runners and dog walkers. The trail is tarmac or dense gravel along the whole route but there is a thin covering of mud in places at this time of year. It was getting stuck under my front mudguard at times.<br />
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When we arrived in Heathfield I decided it was best for us to ride back via the road. I knew a route that should be low traffic and it's downhill so would be quick. I've never ridden out of the Cuckoo Trail before. It ends in Heathfield and I've only ever turned around and headed back the way I came.<br />
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There's a short hill up to the High Street and then it's flat. Whilst riding along the High Street I spotted Olympic gold medallist Jane Torvill. Our route now headed south towards Horam and it was a fast downhill, not needing to pedal for most of it.<br />
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We arrived in Horam and stopped at Wesson's Cafe to top up our water bottles and rinse the mud out of my front brake. We were back on the road to Hellingly and a few cyclists went past us. Our route then headed East to Magham Down and then south again to Rickney. The lane we headed down was muddy and potholed in places but nothing we couldn't handle.<br />
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My son then pointed out that there was a rainbow around the sun. I looked up and noticed saw this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22%C2%B0_halo" target="_blank">halo</a> around the sun. Never seen one for real so I took a photo. It wasn't long before we were back in our street and back home. We finished the ride with just over 31 miles.<br />
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After 10 days my son has ridden 121 miles.<br />
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2016-04-10T09:01:33+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 10, 2016 at 2:01am PDT</time></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLm1RT0aQJwApGoSKPPKHtRNuVUw0WbjPQP0U9GsqHbVR5Q_2ccnbTANTfCJ9rpzjkaj4AYzzAnoMh9mSOJ2D9A3_M8n6KCyrYk6Bvskue_uz_WSeUQoDhoBzqTA2gBVvufANRB3s4q4/s1600/IMG_20160410_195014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jane Torvill" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLm1RT0aQJwApGoSKPPKHtRNuVUw0WbjPQP0U9GsqHbVR5Q_2ccnbTANTfCJ9rpzjkaj4AYzzAnoMh9mSOJ2D9A3_M8n6KCyrYk6Bvskue_uz_WSeUQoDhoBzqTA2gBVvufANRB3s4q4/s400/IMG_20160410_195014.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane Torvill of 'Torvill and Dean'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">22° halo</td></tr>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/540998773/embed/d8aabd3988acd3a1af81a6f346a86b863a6c8d76" width="590"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-50805746396052104792016-04-09T16:00:00.000+01:002016-07-23T00:00:00.066+01:0030 days of biking 2016 - days 6, 7, 8 and 9<h2>
Day 6 and 7</h2>
Not much to report. I had to go to work so I rode to work and back each day. My son rode around the park one day and along a local cycle rout with his brother another day.<br />
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<h2>
Day 8</h2>
My sons both rode with me to work. However, halfway there, the eldest was struggling so I told him to turn back and the youngest rode on with me. When we arrived in Bexhill we had breakfast at Subway. Afterwards he rode back to Eastbourne by himself. I live tracked him just to be sure he got home OK.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGuNRY5Th_-3jV4PUKGvXFlKt3c_8aTLQ24hV7VUttuv8tlRtBZAfOxSTVFQCIbs9LazYvv2lexu3nnIxbfVrBZoDK0vq5tmHdUHRRs2hZZtAuzrU5aE57q0SfiSoa9dVsKAkMSA7I7M/s1600/GP011581-0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My kids on their bikes" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGuNRY5Th_-3jV4PUKGvXFlKt3c_8aTLQ24hV7VUttuv8tlRtBZAfOxSTVFQCIbs9LazYvv2lexu3nnIxbfVrBZoDK0vq5tmHdUHRRs2hZZtAuzrU5aE57q0SfiSoa9dVsKAkMSA7I7M/s640/GP011581-0001.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I got home I suggested to the boys that as it was a nice evening and their mother was out, we ride to the fish and chip shop for dinner. Once we picked up dinner we went to the local pond and sat eating our food. Afterwards we fed bread to the ducks.<br />
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2016-04-08T17:03:24+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 8, 2016 at 10:03am PDT</time></div>
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<h2>
Day 9</h2>
After a number of miles the day before and with the weather not so nice, it was just a short ride out for the me and my youngest son.<br />
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2016-04-09T11:50:54+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 9, 2016 at 4:50am PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-41250198936885969532016-04-05T08:52:00.001+01:002016-04-05T08:52:47.876+01:0030 days of biking 2016 - day 5It's the school holidays but I'm back to work. I suggested to my son that he ride with me to work and I'd buy him breakfast. So he didn't have to ride the 9 miles back by himself, I persuaded my oldest son to ride with us.<br />
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It was a bit of a challenge getting them up and out in time this morning but the ride went well with the eldest struggling a little but keeping a good pace nonetheless. We rode my shortest route to work along National Cycle Route 2.<br />
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We went to Subway for breakfast and it got Field family seal of approval.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDzvDP4qRqh/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#30daysofbiking day 5. Got both boys riding</a></div>
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A video posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2016-04-05T06:22:50+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 4, 2016 at 11:22pm PDT</time></div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/536207371/embed/16842f0cb540e6fd86e9a4baa58f0899893a6b47" width="590"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-22206109349061660882016-04-04T20:02:00.000+01:002016-04-05T08:54:33.203+01:0030 days of biking 2016 - day 4As I was back to work today we decided to ride as soon as I got home.<br />
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Nothing special, just a ride around the block.<br />
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Today was just a few miles. We'll do something bigger tomorrow.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDyTqxXKRkw/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#30daysofbiking day 4</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2016-04-04T17:04:19+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 4, 2016 at 10:04am PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/535700573/embed/c0d7f3ff4b465d6042773b98634802c29fe1fb86" width="590"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-62310390198287887672016-04-03T15:58:00.000+01:002016-04-03T15:58:07.877+01:0030 days of biking 2016 - day 3Today's ride was to be a little longer than yesterday's. With the sun shining we headed up the Cuckoo Trail for Hailsham. No dramas on the way there. After a break at the half-way point my son's foot slipped of the pedal due to mud on his shoe and he crashed to the ground. Nothing serious. A few little cuts and grazes.<br />
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A few miles later my son said his bike was making a noise. I pulled over to work out what the problem was and his front tyre was flat. I patched it but it didn't last. The tyres on his road bike are very tight to get on an off so I wasn't looking forward to taking it off again to swap out the tube. We were back on our bikes but only after me getting angry with the bike!<br />
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We headed back home via Morrisons as I had to get some shopping.<br />
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A ride that should have taken us no more than 90 mins was almost 2.5 hours in the end!<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDu-fjLqRru/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#30daysofbiking day 3</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2016-04-03T10:01:34+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 3, 2016 at 3:01am PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/534362210/embed/ee23a471d24bf19369b369b3b9e2baa2a879da49" width="590"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-29475264385937726522016-04-02T20:35:00.001+01:002016-04-02T22:21:09.738+01:0030 days of biking 2016 - day 2We decided to ride to the seafront and in particular, Eastbourne Pier. The weather was good with sunshine and a little headwind.<br />
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We tried to avoid the roads where possible as good weather brings out a lot of cars. We had a few close passes. A nice ride nonetheless.<br />
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We finished with a little over 10 miles. My son is aiming for 200 miles this month. Let's hope the weather is kind.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDseQSpqRj_/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#30daysofbiking day 2</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2016-04-02T10:41:23+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 2, 2016 at 3:41am PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/533301511/embed/b9614db5cc7310ede47a2478af3b44cf6af03b68" width="590"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-52067073932075571302016-04-01T21:33:00.001+01:002016-04-02T22:22:43.672+01:0030 days of biking 2016 - day 1As with previous years, I am taking part in 30 days of biking with my youngest son. Now 12 years old, he'll be looking to beat the 152 miles he rode last year.<br />
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For day 1 we rode to Pevensey Castle and back. We spooked a pheasant at the side of the road. Female pheasants are quite well camouflaged. We also saw a heron take to the air from the marshes. Very impressive.<br />
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In total we rode a little over 8 miles.<br />
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2016-04-01T14:56:43+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 1, 2016 at 7:56am PDT</time></div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/533197429/embed/8c860c3d6d436d8f3ee6091da244610195929439" width="590"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-56744036300788528322016-04-01T09:41:00.003+01:002016-04-01T09:41:45.805+01:0030 Days of Biking 2016<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
30 Days of Biking starts today.</div>
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Get on your bike and share with the world. Ride by yourself, with your friends or with your family. Ride to the shops or to the moon and back, but just ride!</div>
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Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-79575371415283453512016-01-01T21:27:00.000+00:002016-01-01T21:27:07.685+00:00A year of centuries 12/12My twelfth and final century ride for the year was going to finish in style. For a few months I'd been planning in my head that I wanted to finish my ride in London and in particular, at Buckingham Palace. I've ridden in London before, I've even started many rides from London but I've never ridden to London from home.<br />
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My friend Hamish, who had given me the idea of the century challenge, was asked if he wanted to join me on the final ride as a thank you for the year of punishment but he sensibly declined. I'm sure I would just have whinged at him!<br />
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The plan was to ride to London and get the train home. There's often engineering works on Sundays, which means buses replace trains, and they don't take bikes. That meant choosing a Saturday for the ride. I could only really do it on 19th December, so the date was set. As it's only 70 miles to London, I had to make a detour. I chose to ride to Brighton first. That way I could use the reverse route from one of the many London to Brighton bike rides. I chose the BHF London to Brighton Night Ride route in the end as I guessed it probably used quiet roads (I can't remember that much from when I did it a few years ago).<br />
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The weather forecast was looking good. SSW winds and 13c temperature no reported rain. Unusually warm for the week before Christmas.<br />
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The plan was to take some snacks with me but to buy food as required on the ride. I got up at 6am and had porridge for breakfast. With my train booked for 5.47pm I had plenty of time for my ride. I left the house at 7 and it was still dark. The first part of the ride to Brighton was a complete reverse of my last century ride. Heading inland to Hailsham then Arlington and onto Lullington before coming out at Exceat. Heading into Seaford was a nice change without the wind. I was able to ride at 15-20mph along the Esplanade which was over twice as fast as last time.<br />
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By the time I reached Newhaven I had my first traffic stop. I was held up by the level crossing. It was only 3 minutes according to my Garmin but it felt like ages. Just short of 2 hours in I stopped at Subway in Peacehaven for my second breakfast. Back on the bike it was a quick run into Brighton. I reached the pier at the 30 mile mark. It was now time to head north which meant a climb. 3.6 miles in total. It was drag up to Devil's Dyke. Riding over the other side was fun though. I hit 47.8mph! I remember this road in reverse. I much prefer riding it away from Brighton.<br />
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The next village I arrived at was Hurstpierpoint. I was now 41 miles in. It's a nice little village with a number of shops. I stopped at the local Co-op for some food. There were a large number of people out. There must have been some event on but I'm not sure what.<br />
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Back on the road and I headed to Hassocks and then Burgess Hill. The roads were noticeably busier now and major. The roads were vaguely familiar but as I last rode them in the early hours of the morning, that's most likely why they were so quiet. The route skirted around the outside of the town. By the time I got spat out completely, the main road I ended up on, didn't make me favourable with the traffic. It wasn't too long before I was back on quieter roads and less of an issue for the Saturday morning traffic.<br />
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Riding through the village of Balcombe the road started to climb again. Nothing serious but long and steady. It wasn't long before I rode over the M23 and arrived in Crawley. At the 60 mile mark, the route turned 90 degrees due east. It was at this point I realised why the route turned. Gatwick Airport was directly ahead of me. There was a plane coming in to land and was so close. As I was riding in line with the landing approach, I got to see a few more planes close up as I rode away from the airport.<br />
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My route turned north again and as I entered a village called Smallfield, I decided to take a break. I was now 63 miles in, after 5 hrs 30 mins. More rural roads ahead and I crossed the M23 for the third time followed by a bit more climbing. It wasn't long before I arrived in a more urban environment in the form of Merstham. It was time to cross over the M25. A right turn ahead and up a seriously steep hill called Shepherd's Hill and crossing the M23 for the fourth time. I was now in the Surrey Hills and at the highest point of the ride. There was practically no climbing left.<br />
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I now had a fast descent into Purley. The environment definitely felt like the outskirts of London. More traffic and busy junctions were plentiful. I was back in familiar territory when I got to Mitcham and didn't need to look at my Garmin every 5 seconds. 86 miles in and I stopped at a Tesco Express for food and water. Only a few miles more and I was at Clapham Common. This is the start point for the London to Brighton bike ride and from here on, the route was completely new to me.<br />
<br />
92 miles in and I arrived at Lambeth bridge and got my bearings again. Ahead of me was the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and at that moment, it took my breath away. It was a feeling I've never felt before, Maybe it was down to the fact I was so close to the finish. Maybe it was because I'd ridden to the Capital. Maybe it was because I had almost complete my biggest challenge yet. From here I rode at a leisurely pace to take it all in. When I arrived in Parliament Square I stopped to take a photo of Big Ben, or the Elizabeth Tower for all you pedants. I then rode down Whitehall passing the Cenotaph and Downing Street. The traffic was not bad at all. With Trafalgar Square ahead of me it was a left turn under Admiralty Arch and onto The Mall.<br />
<br />
Buckingham Palace was ahead of me and once again, my breath was taken away. I've been to the Queen's main residence many times and it's never had this effect. I can only guess that it was the culmination of what I'd achieved that had this profound effect on me. I'd pictured this finish in my head and something was missing - darkness. I'd presumed it would be dark with everything lit up but I'd arrived sooner than expected. It was only 3.30pm. I'd also only completed 94 miles. Time for a lap of honour.<br />
<br />
I headed up Constitution Hill, through Wellington Arch, into Hyde Park and down South Carriage Drive. I then headed north up West Carriage Drive then east along North Carriage Drive towards Marble Arch. I continued along Oxford Street, by now it was getting dark and the Christmas lights were on. The traffic was a lot busier. I turned down into Regent Street and I seemed to be racing Rickshaws. I paused at Picadilly Circus to take a photo and I headed back to Trafalgar Square and it was time for another trip down The Mall. Buckingham Palace in the distance was now lit up. Time to capture the image I'd pictured in my head several times before.<br />
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With a warm feeling inside and a smile that nothing could wipe off my face, I headed for Victoria Station. I now headed for the Wetherspoon's on the station concourse for my celebratory pint of beer.<br />
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Challenge complete!<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_d7Lm1KRj7/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Time for a second breakfast on my first stop on my final century of the year. #ayearofcenturies</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2015-12-19T08:59:58+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 19, 2015 at 12:59am PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_eA6YuKRrT/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">West pier #ayearofcenturies</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2015-12-19T09:50:02+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 19, 2015 at 1:50am PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_em4PiKRjq/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Just checking the time #ayearofcenturies</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2015-12-19T15:21:48+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 19, 2015 at 7:21am PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_eo2dYqRn0/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">At the finish of my 12th and final century of the year. Time for a victory lap #ayearofcenturies</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2015-12-19T15:39:02+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 19, 2015 at 7:39am PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_eurkKKRnp/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The start of The Mall</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2015-12-19T16:29:58+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 19, 2015 at 8:29am PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_evp43KRpw/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">What should my challenge be for 2016?</a></div>
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A video posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2015-12-19T16:38:29+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 19, 2015 at 8:38am PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_ex323qRv0/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Enjoying a pint. I think I've earned it.</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2015-12-19T16:57:52+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 19, 2015 at 8:57am PST</time></div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/452807590/embed/fb0c67facc4a668f1c8645631004060ae8c19995" width="590"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-61864583524702422015-12-30T21:46:00.002+00:002015-12-30T21:46:43.688+00:00A year of centuries 11/12The plan for my penultimate century ride was to be a simple one. With little choice of days I could ride it, I decided to go for something simple, yet familiar.<br />
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The ride was to be from Hastings Pier to Brighton Pier via Eastbourne Pier and back. It was due to be quite windy, but I wasn't expecting storm conditions. I contacted my friend Alex to see if he wanted to ride part of the ride with me, and he was up for riding from Hastings Pier to Beachy Head.<br />
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I left home at 7am and the ride was easy. I had a tailwind to Hastings. I met Alex at the pier and we started riding south-west towards Eastbourne. The wind was noticeably strong. The plan was to stop in Bexhill for breakfast as I would have done 20 miles by then and then continue to Eastbourne. Having completed 5 miles into the wind, Alex was already grumbling. We stopped for about half an hour. Continuing on to Eastbourne, there is plenty of open coast line. Something we could hardly avoid.<br />
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By the time we reached Eastbourne Pier it'd taken us 1hr 47min riding time to complete 15.7 miles into the wind. Alex called it a day and decided not to ride any further into the wind. I stopped at a shop to buy some food for the next bit of the journey and we parted company.<br />
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It's a short ride from the pier to Beachy Head and the foot of the climb is sheltered. It was a relief. Once over the top of the climb, you are 500ft up and totally exposed to the elements. The wind was very strong. Dangerously strong. I was also side on at this point, having to fight the 50+ mph winds of Storm Clodagh with a lightweight bike and cars passing me closely. You need all your strength and concentration to ride in conditions like this. I knew it wouldn't be long before I was headed directly into the wind again and riding in relative safety again.<br />
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At this point I was briefly considering my options regarding my route choice but decided to carry on regardless and complete my original route.<br />
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I was now on East Dean Road. A long downhill section where I hold my personal speed record at 52.5mph. Today there was no chance of that being beaten. I was having to pedal hard downhill. My Maximum speed was 22.8mph with an average of 9.8mph. Not what you expect dropping 276ft over a mile!<br />
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Back in shelter, I had a nasty steep climb into Friston. At the top, shattered, I took a break in a bus shelter. I stopped for just under 5 minutes but it felt like so much longer. The next section to Exceat is downhill again. a drop of almost 500ft over 2 miles. Due to the wind, that took a whopping 10 minutes! My fastest time is half that.<br />
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There's a bit of shelter now until I reach Seaford. Heading down Sutton Avenue, directly into the wind, the names of pros painted on the road from the 2014 Tour of Britain couldn't make me ride faster. The closer I got to the seafront, the harder it got. I stopped at the public toilet on the Esplanade and had to film how strong the wind was. I wish I'd been able to film trying to get back on my bike afterwards. It wouldn't stay on the ground. I had to move the bike behind the building to get the tyres back on the ground. It was now a slow struggle along the seafront. The spray from the sea was hitting me in the face from 50-100ft away. As the path headed back away from the sea it was rideable again.<br />
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Arriving in Newhaven, the sheltered climb out the other side was welcome. Climbing hills is not normally a preference, but is to prolonged wind.<br />
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45 miles in I arrived in Peacehaven and stopped for lunch at Subway. Getting back on the bike, 6 hours had now elapsed from when I started! The next 7 miles into Brighton were to be a real mental and physical challenge. It's rolling hills from here but the sheer concentration required to keep the bike straight was more than I would ever expect. I was struggling to move the bike forwards at some points. At one point I was at least 100ft above sea level when I was hit with a shower of water. It took a split second to realise it hadn't started raining. Instead the waves crashing at the cliffs below had been picked up by the wind and blown over the top and into me.<br />
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Back at sea level and riding along Madeira Drive to the Pier was no better. The wind was still strong. It wouldn't be long before I could turn around. When I arrived at the pier I decided to visit a local cycling cafe that I haven't managed to visit before, only to find out that it's no longer a cycling cafe. I decided not to stop.<br />
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The plan for the return trip was to head inland a little once at Exceat to arrive home by the 100 mile mark. However, I'd realised that I might be a little short as my calculations hadn't factored in the bit to Hastings at the start. Not a problem I could work it out as I went along.<br />
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The ride was very fast at times. With the wind behind me I got a massive boost. It felt like a big hand gave me a push while already doing over 20mph. It was a great feeling. However, even though it was easyish most of the time my legs were very tired. Having ridden into the wind for 40 miles had taken so much out of my them.<br />
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At the 60 mile mark I stopped at Subway again for a coffee. The comfy armchairs were just what I needed. Getting back on the bike was a chore. Arriving back in Seaford, the Esplanade was a different sight than earlier. The beach had been deposited onto the road in places and there was a foam where the sea had been whipped up by the wind.<br />
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Turning inland at Exceat meant that I didn't get the bonus of the tailwind at all times but it did mean that my legs didn't have to fight up many hills. The plan was to ride to Berwick, Arlington and Hailsham before turning south at Herstmonceux. 85 miles in I arrived at Windmill Hill and was exhausted. My hands were hurting at this point too. I had a sit down outside a pub in the dark and had some food. I knew with 15 miles left to go, the easiest way would be riding to Bexhill and getting the train back.<br />
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Arriving in Pevensey with 9 miles left to go, I just wanted it to end. It was tailwind all the way now. When I arrived on Bexhill seafront, I decided to take the seafront path. It was dark and deserted. Riding at 25mph I arrived at the Colonade and suddenly hit beach! I'd seen it a split second before and braced myself. Thinking it was a one off, I accelerated. However, this stretch was littered with shingle deposits. I turned off as soon as I could. With just under 2 miles still to go I did a loop via Ravenside Retail Park and back to the station. I arrived at the station. It was over. Such a relief. I got a ticket and got the train home. The ride from the station back home is just over a mile with the wind behind me. It was all over for a few weeks at least.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-qUO7XKRvf/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Hastings Pier #ayearofcenturies</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2015-11-29T07:58:22+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 28, 2015 at 11:58pm PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-qktlpqRlv/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Eastbourne Pier #ayearofcenturies</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2015-11-29T10:22:21+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 29, 2015 at 2:22am PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-q9xlsKRlC/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Brighton Pier #ayearofcenturies</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2015-11-29T14:01:21+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 29, 2015 at 6:01am PST</time></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXuorUfP9VSkR0XHtGJ4znOF0jKpnbl-vFiv3kIgChmTxAGvGb2xSGeoKOciU4NuS6RQzYI6wEBu0nx2OTIR_PoUiD1uhk4tYafMK9Bt3b8avWHbUIXWrfdrZCpj1DOFJSXqCoihLokM/s1600/Screenshot+2015-11-29+at+21.40.59.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXuorUfP9VSkR0XHtGJ4znOF0jKpnbl-vFiv3kIgChmTxAGvGb2xSGeoKOciU4NuS6RQzYI6wEBu0nx2OTIR_PoUiD1uhk4tYafMK9Bt3b8avWHbUIXWrfdrZCpj1DOFJSXqCoihLokM/s640/Screenshot+2015-11-29+at+21.40.59.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An idea of how windy it was.</td></tr>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/441619049/embed/902c9bfbde9fa5f684680cb9359b0df876f512c0" width="590"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-11803697220707472492015-12-06T20:11:00.001+00:002015-12-06T20:11:52.052+00:00A year of centuries 10/12My ride for October was planned very quickly. Having not given the ride much thought, I looked at the calendar and realised I only had two weekends left and the last one was just Saturday. With only 3 possible days to get the century done, I decided to choose Sunday 24th as the weather was better.<br />
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I had no idea where I was going to ride so after a bit of thinking, I turned to Strava the day before the ride and used the Explore feature. Having ridden pretty much everywhere locally I wanted something a little different. I found a ride that was 100 miles that went out to Dungeness Nuclear Power Station in Kent and back.</div>
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After plotting the route and uploading it to my Garmin, I cleaned and lubed my bike ready for the ride. I checked the forecast and saw that it would be a warm, sunny day with practically no wind. With the clocks going back overnight that meant I got an extra hour in bed. The plan was to leave by 7am but with such an early start the day before for another ride, I didn't want to get out of bed when my alarm went off.</div>
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Running a little behind schedule, I didn't have time to make breakfast. I got out of the door by 7.07am. It was fresh (read: cold). The Garmin said the temperature was 5c. I decided to head for Subway in Bexhill as it was on my way. By the time I got there, my legs were pretty cold so I was glad I could have a stop to warm up. 15 minutes later and I was back on the road.</div>
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I headed to Hastings and the temperature was still around 5c. As you head out of the town, there's a long climb up Old London Road. This warmed me up. It's now a long downhill into Pett and then back to sea level. It's now a lovely straight smooth road to Winchelsea Beach before turning off onto the path to Rye Harbour. Rye Harbour is a beautiful nature reserve, with Camber Castle in the background. The path was practically empty even though it was 9.30am. Once I arrived at Rye Harbour village, I bought a few snacks for the ride.</div>
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The road out of the village is quite industrial and very wide. There's a shared use path, but because of the stop start nature I stayed on the road. A car driver decided to tell me I was wrong and passed close at about 60mph whilst sounding his horn even though the road was totally empty!</div>
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In no time I entered Rye and exited the other side. The road to Camber wasn't too busy. If it is, it's easy to hold cars up. Again, there is a cycle path, but this one isn't suitable for road bikes at all. You quickly ride through the village and you're now on the lonely road to Lydd. I spotted a family on bikes and one on a unicycle! The road is made of concrete sections and covered in tarmac. Where the tarmac has seeped into the joins, you get a rhythmic thud every time you ride over the joins. All the time you have an MOD firing range to your right.</div>
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As you enter the village of Lydd, you also exit East Sussex and enter Kent. As I rode past the entrance of the MOD base, I could see soldiers on the road ahead. I rode wide and passed them quickly, just in case a car approached in the opposite direction. I was soon exiting the village and riding through the Dungeness nature reserve. In the distance I could see the power station.<br />
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Dungeness is a headland that is made up mostly of shingle beach. There's not much in the hamlet of Dungeness other than a few houses, a lifeboat station, a few lighthouses, a nuclear power station, a pub and a miniature railway station. Now I've written that, it seems like a lot! I had no real intention of stopping here, I'd planned a brief stop at a shop up the road. However, the lifeboat station was having an open day. I decided to stop after taking some photos of the lighthouses and power station. The new lighthouse isn't very pretty but the old one is as you expect a lighthouse to look. It's open to the public so you can climb to the top for a elevated viewpoint of the Romney Marsh. Maybe next time. I rode back to the lifeboat station and grabbed a coffee. They had some great home-made cakes for sale, but I resisted.<br />
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After a nice break it was back on the bike and heading to New Romney. It's a fairly straight road that follows the sea, heading north. Turning left into the town I was now on my way back. It wasn't long until I was on the main A259. Lots of cars passing me close and at speed. I was glad when I turned off. I went through a village called brookland and it wasn't long before I was back in familiar territory going past Appledore turkey farm. A quick loop around the village of Appledore and I was headed down the Military Road back to Rye. This road drags for a bit. Arriving in Rye and I stopped for a bit of lunch at a cafe. A portion of chips had my name on.<br />
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Taking the elevated route, west out of Rye, towards Cock Marling, it's a steady incline. Nothing serious. You get a great view of Camber Castle in the distance but I couldn't get a great photo on my phone. After riding through Udimore, I took a right turn down Hundredhouse Lane. I've only ever ridden done it once and that was in the other direction earlier this year. I'd sort of forgotten that it's steeper this way. You start off with a fast downhill followed by a very steep climb up Ludley Hill. It was at this point I saw a mink run across the road. I see a few of these from time to time on my rides. I eventually arrived in the village of Beckley and turned left, headed back in the right direction for home. Arriving in Staplecross I stopped at the shop for some food and had a brief sit down in a nice bus shelter.<br />
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Heading south towards Cripps Corner, the road eventually bears right, heading west again and crosses the busy A21. No problems getting across for me. I was now headed for Battle. It's a bit of a climb from here and I was starting to get tired at the 85 mile mark. I arrive almost in the centre of the town but I don't have time to stop. I head along the North Trade Road towards Ashburnham and it's mostly downhill from here. One final climb through Boreham Street and then it's downhill again through Herstmonceux to Wartling. I catch a lovely sunset over the downs to my right and now I'm on the Pevensey Levels. It's flat the rest of the way home.<br />
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The day was perfect weather wise. The ride was almost wind free and the temperature was mostly good. The amount of hills was reasonably low so the ride was fairly easy.<br />
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I get home and once again my Garmin fails like it did last month. I lose my ride. 103 miles of it. All is not totally lost as I managed to get a trace of the ride from an app on my phone but it's not perfect.<br />
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Only two century rides left this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5K-B8T8WpUqJo4-c9ScyHA-To8wrC2ELaGhVaXcH9qhdm6MHQ_YzgvTiHzE_ePrZp556u4TsLmlu1-g2RaylSZsgmmrQ1SdPIU7FN1iu0k0Jh126yxjfryWNYIXBYbt2NLpln5q-F-E/s1600/IMG_20151025_164238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5K-B8T8WpUqJo4-c9ScyHA-To8wrC2ELaGhVaXcH9qhdm6MHQ_YzgvTiHzE_ePrZp556u4TsLmlu1-g2RaylSZsgmmrQ1SdPIU7FN1iu0k0Jh126yxjfryWNYIXBYbt2NLpln5q-F-E/s320/IMG_20151025_164238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/420389029/embed/5b24b72510fc2c7ff91632b45b4c0d9a1158c67d" width="590"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-54074786255159461482015-11-27T13:00:00.000+00:002015-11-27T18:48:29.720+00:00Coffeeneuring 2015<a href="http://chasingmailboxes.com/2015/09/19/coffeeneuring-challenge-2015-a-dream-within-a-dream/" target="_blank">Coffeeneuring</a> is not new but it's new to me. There's a lot of rules around coffeeneuring but the simply put, it's getting out on your bike for a social weekend ride for coffee. You can only do it at weekends and you have to do it within a timeframe but it will definitely push people to get out more once the autumn weather kicks in.<br />
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#1/7 - 3rd October</h2>
<b>Location:</b> Subway Hailsham<br />
<b>Drink:</b> Latte<br />
<b>Miles:</b> 13.9<br />
<b>Ride details:</b> For my first coffeeneuring ride I decided to get my youngest son Alex to join me. He's only 11 but we often do cycling challenges together. A we were heading to Subway for breakfast, we didn't want to leave too late. There's several ways to get to Hailsham but I opted for the quiet back lanes. I had a latte with my food and the boy had a hot chocolate. The coffee was good but nothing special as it's from a machine. For the return journey I gave my son the choice of route. He opted for the Cuckoo Trail which is a shared use cycle path.<br />
<b>Bike friendliness: </b>The shop has outside seating and back racks opposite so is a good choice for cyclists.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/8Xs162KRjY/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider)</a> on <time datetime="2015-10-03T09:25:02+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 3, 2015 at 2:25am PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/8Xu7_UqRl8/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider)</a> on <time datetime="2015-10-03T09:43:21+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 3, 2015 at 2:43am PDT</time></div>
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#2/7 - 10th October</h2>
<b>Location:</b> Seasons, Eastbourne Harbour<br />
<b>Drink:</b> Latte<br />
<b>Miles:</b> 15.5<br />
<b>Ride details:</b> I took my youngest son with me for ride number 2. The plan was to ride into town and get a drink there but with the weather being so nice we rode the whole length of Eastbourne seafront and back again. Once we reached the harbour, we stopped at Seasons, a nice little cafe/restaurant. They serve illy coffee which is one of my favourites. I chose a latte and it was amazing. The boy had a hot chocolate again. It was nice sitting outside and the woman sitting at the table next to us had a gorgeous labradoodle puppy. We then took a quiet route back home.<br />
<b>Bike friendliness:</b> The cafe has plenty of outside seating and table service so great for cyclists.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/8p0SPFqRnM/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider)</a> on <time datetime="2015-10-10T10:16:24+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 10, 2015 at 3:16am PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/8p0lCNqRnk/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider)</a> on <time datetime="2015-10-10T10:18:58+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 10, 2015 at 3:18am PDT</time></div>
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#3/7 - 11th October</h2>
<b>Location:</b> Bexhill Subway<br />
<b>Drink:</b> Latte<br />
<b>Miles:</b> 29.1<br />
<b>Ride details:</b> My friend Alex can't ride to work now he's changed jobs. I suggested he join me for some Coffeeneuring. He rode over to my house from Hastings and the plan was to ride back with him. On the way we stopped at Subway in Bexhill. I had my usual latte and Alex had hot chocolate. It 's always smooth and predictable in flavour. Nothing special but always good. Once I rode back with him I then turned around and headed home.<br />
<b>Bike friendliness: </b>The shop has outside seating and back racks opposite so is a good choice for cyclists.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/8sNJdpKRlR/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider)</a> on <time datetime="2015-10-11T08:32:08+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 11, 2015 at 1:32am PDT</time></div>
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<h2>
#4/7 - 17th October</h2>
<b>Location:</b> Eastbourne Subway<br />
<b>Drink:</b> Latte<br />
<b>Miles:</b> 9.9 miles<br />
<b>Ride details:</b> Visiting Subway on a regular basis I have a good number of loyalty points. Me and the boy took a gentle ride into town. If I was riding by myself, I'd probably go via the seafront, but as I had my son with me I thought I'd take him a route we've not been before which has less traffic. Once we got there I ordered a latte for me and a hot chocolate for him. The ride home was via the seafront. We then went past his junior school and saw their animals including, turkeys, peahens, chickens, sheep, goats and ducks. The turkeys were extremely curious when we arrived. We then rode the rest of the way home.<br />
<b>Bike friendliness: </b>The shop has outside seating and back racks opposite so is a good choice for cyclists.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/87wwPZqRsS/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider)</a> on <time datetime="2015-10-17T09:31:53+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 17, 2015 at 2:31am PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/873hz4qRmo/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Turkeys</a></div>
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A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider) on <time datetime="2015-10-17T10:31:04+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 17, 2015 at 3:31am PDT</time></div>
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<h2>
#5/7 - 24th October</h2>
<b>Location:</b> Farm @ Friday Street<br />
<b>Drink:</b> Latte<br />
<b>Miles:</b> 29.9 miles<br />
<b>Ride details:</b> My friend Alex needed a little bit of work doing to his bike before he could ride next so I suggested I ride over to his first and we ride from there. So we could get the ride finished early, I left mine at 6am and got to his by 7. Alex wasn't really awake by then so he wasn't ready to ride. He made me a coffee while I sorted his bike and I waited for him to get ready. It was 8 am before we left. We did a reverse of the last ride we did so rode back to mine. We stopped for breakfast and a coffee at my local pub, the Farm. We both had pancakes and bacon with maple syrup and I had a latte in Alex had a hot chocolate (can you see the theme now?). We parted company and I was home in under a minute.<br />
<b>Bike friendliness:</b> Plenty of outside seating if the weather's good and a nice fireplace to warm up with if it cold and wet.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/9NqsAxqRmd/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider)</a> on <time datetime="2015-10-24T08:25:12+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 24, 2015 at 1:25am PDT</time></div>
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<h2>
#6/7 - 1st November</h2>
<b>Location:</b> Starbucks, Pevensey<br />
<b>Drink:</b> Latte<br />
<b>Miles:</b> 8.8 miles<br />
<b>Ride details: </b>The fog started coming in around 1pm. By the time me and my youngest son left for our ride at 2pm the fog was everywhere but not too dense. We kept off the main roads and headed for Pevensey. We had a brief stop as we passed Pevensey Castle. We arrived a few minutes later at Starbucks. The shop had no atmosphere and the small amount of mess really stood out. Not many comfy chairs but as it was empty we got one each. I wasn't asked if I wanted the coffee to go, but our drinks came in paper cups. However, the coffee was very good indeed. The boy had a hot chocolate with cream this time. We then rode back via the foggy lanes through Rickney and Hankham.<br />
<b>Bike friendliness:</b> Not an ideal location for a bike stop as there's no real places to lock you bike and the entry road is heavily potholed.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/9i9id6KRtJ/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider)</a> on <time datetime="2015-11-01T14:53:58+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 1, 2015 at 6:53am PST</time></div>
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<h2>
#7/7 - 8th November</h2>
<b>Location:</b> Patisserie Valerie, Eastbourne<br />
<b>Drink:</b> Latte<br />
<b>Miles:</b> 12.8 miles<br />
<b>Ride details:</b> Being remembrance Sunday, my eldest son was taking part in the memorial service in town with the Air Cadets. My wife went took him into town and me and my youngest son Alex rode there. We arrived just before 11am and watched all the armed forces both past and present showing their respect for fallen heroes. After the service we walked with our bikes to the cafe. I had a latte and the boy had a hot chocolate. This time we also had a mince pie. Very nice indeed. My wife and other son met up with us at the cafe. We then rode back home.</div>
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<b>Bike friendliness:</b> It's not that great being in the town centre and with outside seating being out back, you have to go through the whole cafe.</div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/90nfm3KRpG/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider)</a> on <time datetime="2015-11-08T11:27:40+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 8, 2015 at 3:27am PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/90qfUnqRue/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Toby Field (@fatcyclerider)</a> on <time datetime="2015-11-08T11:53:51+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 8, 2015 at 3:53am PST</time></div>
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<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
I've really enjoyed taking part in the Coffeeneuring challenge for the first time. It got me out on my bike with friends and family when I would have otherwise not done so. One of the suggestions for this year's challenge was to have a theme within a theme. Although I never thought about this from the start, I realised a theme was developing. I always rode with someone called Alex and Alex always had a hot chocolate and I always had a latte. Don't think I expected that before I started the challenge!<br />
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I'd recommend anyone giving it a go next time. It makes for a very pleasant and social challenge.Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-16399430773390089342015-10-15T20:00:00.000+01:002015-10-16T00:06:24.258+01:00The Program - film reviewMy review of the Lance Armstrong biopic, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3083008/" target="_blank">The Program</a>, featuring Ben Foster, Chris O'Dowd and Dustin Hoffman. In cinemas 16 October.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2Pl6lBYZEppEZIFbEPw8EiuXsybjrrZSKG-PFanG48I6Qb5SR4HVr3QAajyHf7K8KaeDXJBSWfDmQaS84isCoN2RhFzwMoZQP9iCJURsyBMPpJEMFek0heKzZzSm-sfD4Nau106feCM/s1600/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2Pl6lBYZEppEZIFbEPw8EiuXsybjrrZSKG-PFanG48I6Qb5SR4HVr3QAajyHf7K8KaeDXJBSWfDmQaS84isCoN2RhFzwMoZQP9iCJURsyBMPpJEMFek0heKzZzSm-sfD4Nau106feCM/s400/image001.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390698253856681971.post-16687609878154703122015-09-30T21:00:00.000+01:002015-10-30T07:14:54.831+00:00A year of centuries 9/12My September century will be remembered as the most memorable so far and most likely, the year.<br />
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The planning for this ride started back in January when one of the members of Cycling UK on Google+ created the event for a day ride in France and asked who would be interested in taking part. My instant reaction was positive but only one snag, I didn't have a passport. However, with almost 8 months until the event, I had plenty of time.</div>
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It wasn't long before I got my passport application sent off and it came back a week later. Now I could book my tickets. It was suggested that we book on the 07:35 outbound ferry and return on the 17:55. Although the tickets were cheap at £7.50 each way, I decided to go for the slightly more expensive fully flexible tickets for £12.38 each way. That meant if anything didn't go to plan, I could just get the next available ferry. So, before the end of March I was now ready for our French Adventure!</div>
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The ride was planned as a 64 mile route, courtesy of Wiggle, from the ferry terminal in Calais with a stop for lunch around 40 miles in before heading back to the ferry. It wasn't until nearer the time that I considered making this ride my 100 mile ride for the month. After a little bit of planning, I worked out that I could drive to Dymchurch, ride the 20 miles to Dover and by the time I ride the 20 miles back to my car I would have completed my century.</div>
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On the day, the weather forecast was for drizzle and rain at times. With this in mind I made sure I had my rain jacket and my waterproof socks. I got up at 03:15 and left my house at 03:46. I was surprised at how warm it was - my car was showing 17c as the outside temperature! The roads were empty as you'd expect but with so many towns and villages to go through on my way it was taking longer than expected. Once I arrived in Dymchurch, I parked up and unpacked my bike from the car. I got underway at 04:59 and it was pitch black but not yet raining. Now 18c I couldn't believe how warm it was on the bike.</div>
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The route to Dover is fairly straightforward but as I needed to avoid the main A road and motorway once in Folkestone I had to check my phone a couple of times for directions. It's completely flat until you hit Folkestone. There's a sharp ramp to start with but it's not hilly again until you exit the other side. I then stumbled upon a hill I wasn't expecting, suitably entitled, Dover Hill. Once at the top, it's a very, very long and gradual descent all the way into Dover. With the wind behind me, this was bliss.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dover Ferry Terminal</td></tr>
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I arrived at the docks at 06:29, not bad as I only needed to be there by 07:05 at the latest. Dover docks aren't especially bike friendly but there is a red line for you to follow. This takes you to French passport control and then onto a check in desk where you get your boarding pass. I didn't have to wait long before my ride partners for the day turned up in the form of Simon (organiser) and Dave (long distance legend). It was a shame more people didn't make the ride but it turned out we were all virgins when it came to riding abroad. Dave had ridden all the way from London and he expected to crack the double century by the time he got home. Simon had ridden from his parents house down the road in Kent.</div>
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After a bit of chat we headed to the gate to board and it wasn't long before we were on the boat. You can ride up the ramp but where the boat meets the road, you have to get off and walk. Once on the boat, we found some bike racks and locked our bikes up. Mileage so far, 20.4.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjNESkpkrJlr8JaBUHU_7oP4CSJvXs1Fx3hGA65tZ1FphKDiLul7JXP6ZYsOE0KhMVDvSDY7fnWK3v68WzEM2A3R2cb_m0vAI7YdBrb7RzfrUxhuDJRqGkO3g8L09RcITI26MBsHvfQU/s1600/20150912_080817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjNESkpkrJlr8JaBUHU_7oP4CSJvXs1Fx3hGA65tZ1FphKDiLul7JXP6ZYsOE0KhMVDvSDY7fnWK3v68WzEM2A3R2cb_m0vAI7YdBrb7RzfrUxhuDJRqGkO3g8L09RcITI26MBsHvfQU/s200/20150912_080817.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave having a kip</td></tr>
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We went in search of breakfast and both Simon and I opted for the cooked variety and Dave preferred the liquid option in the form of double espresso. Although the food was nothing special, it hit the spot. With Dave having ridden 70 miles overnight, he was looking forward to the option of a kip during the 90 minute ferry crossing. With requests of no pictures to be taken whilst sleeping, both Simon and I couldn't help ourselves, especially as Dave fell asleep so quickly.<br />
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Upon arrival in Calais, Dave woke on cue and we readied ourselves to go back down to our bikes on the lorry deck. It wasn't long before we got off the boat and were on our way. Both Simon and I had the route on our Garmins so we knew where we were headed. We were hoping that we wouldn't need to rely on technology, hoping that the organisers of the Wiggle ride happening the day after would have put the direction signs up already. It wasn't long before we saw a migrant camp by the side of the road but nowhere near as many as I'd seen in the news.<br />
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As we exited Calais and arrived in Sangatte, I caught the smell of fresh bread at a boulangerie. Very tempted to stop but it was too early in the ride. Just down the road we saw the first Wiggle direction arrow. This would make the ride simpler.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0NEerEZg_fd5UiB68CFupuJi7IK6NE0SvvFOITaRFB_BqPr9sbsXuPN16aOqa0PlLuldAHDvP905zy4xXW67zekYnwPDaISiXLKOTWRKBu5O1vUfdlcqbpQpVweOhxVyPaNHW7TF7DY/s1600/20150912_104822%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0NEerEZg_fd5UiB68CFupuJi7IK6NE0SvvFOITaRFB_BqPr9sbsXuPN16aOqa0PlLuldAHDvP905zy4xXW67zekYnwPDaISiXLKOTWRKBu5O1vUfdlcqbpQpVweOhxVyPaNHW7TF7DY/s200/20150912_104822%25280%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eurotunnel exit</td></tr>
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As we were headed south-westerly, the head wind was quite noticeable. It's quite flat as you leave Calais so there is no shelter from the wind. For many miles we rode in formation and Simon, who had informed us of his lack of riding recently, was doing a stellar job of leading us out. About 10 miles in we came across the Eurotunnel exit and spotted a British couple on a tandem that had stopped to take pictures. We did the same and jumped out of our skins as the emerging train sounded its horn.<br />
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We got to a junction and the Wiggle sign said one way and our route said the other. We decided to follow our route for continuity. This is where the terrain started to get lumpy. Nothing serious but there was shelter now as we started riding through villages.<br />
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We were on a busy road for a little bit and I was thinking to myself, "I wonder if that's why the Wiggle sign said to go a different direction". However it wasn't long before we turned off and were on to little country roads. A little climbing and we arrived at our first village. There were a number of new houses, each detached and unique. This would be a recurring theme throughout the ride. Each village we passed through was small and we were out the other side in no time. Most were very quiet and people were scarce. As you exit a village, there's the place name on a sign with a line through it to show you are now leaving it.<br />
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With the forecast set for rain at some point I was expecting to get a soaking. The clouds were getting darker but as we turned to head north, they seemed to be where we had just come from. Simon then mentioned that he thought we'd ridden around the rain. Shortly after it started to drizzle! However, the drizzle only lasted about 10 minutes and that was all we had all day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disappointed in Wierre-Effroy</td></tr>
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34 miles in we arrived in the town of Wierre-Effroy. This was our planned lunch stop. We arrived a few minutes before 13:00 and the cafe was shut. It closes at 13:00 on Saturday. I quickly spotted a bakery across the road. We scooted over and I spotted a theme. It closed at 13:00! We decided to have a short break and think through our options. We all had some snacks on us so we weren't desperately worried. A few yards up the road and we noticed another hostelry. The door was open, so with Dave being the most fluent in French (read: not very), he approached the proprietor and after a few words exchanged, he came back out empty handed. Never mind, we would get back on our bikes. We must remember, this was our French adventure.<br />
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4 miles down the road we spotted a service station on the A16. Not being on the main road, we weren't sure if we could get in, but we thought we'd take a look. There was a way in for pedestrians so we were in luck. We locked our bikes up and took a wander inside. There was no cafe, like you get ta a lot of continental services, but they sold plenty of food and had a coffee machine.<br />
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Having felt less than strong up until this point and allowing the other two to lead, I was feeling much better now. It may have been the lunch stop, or it may have been that we now had a tail wind. The legs seemed to push without much asking.<br />
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The bonus of riding up hills, is that you can enjoy going down the other side. Dave is a competitive rider and on a few descents, he decided to outdo me. On one such elevation drop, I went for it, as did Dave. I spotted a Wiggle sign at the edge of the road and looked down at my Garmin to confirm. There was a left turn. I shouted at Dave and slammed on the anchors. Dave was clearly in the 'zone'. He shot off down the hill at 40+ mph and I waited for Simon to catch up. We both tried ringing him but to no avail. It was now just a waiting game to see how long he'd take to notice we weren't behind him. About 10 minutes later we saw him emerge into view. We got our phones out to record the look on his face.<br />
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With the added power in my legs I took the opportunity to shoot up the next hill. Dave and Simon both resisted to chase and due to my lack of local knowledge, the short sharp climb I was expected carried on for a good quarter of a mile further round the bend! When I got to the top, there was a nice view of Calais in the distance. It was at this point we noticed a cafe that was open. It seems they open again later in the afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calais in the distance</td></tr>
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As we approached the cliffs of la Manche (English Channel) I could see we had some more hills to climb. They are long and steep in places and with a tail wind, you get quite warm riding up them. I got to the top of the final climb first but most likely because Dave was saving energy for his long ride home. At the top was a Wiggle sign with 'You made it!' on it. There was now a lovely long descent into Sangatte. I didn't pedal the whole way and enjoyed the speed gravity propelled me to. It goes on for about two miles. It was then a flat easy ride back into Calais.<br />
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When we arrived in Calais, we decided to stop for coffee as we had time before the boat. We found a bar and sat down for a bit. We then found a spot to take a group photo with a ferry in the background. It was then time to take a slow ride back to the port.<br />
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The French treat you the same as a car so you have to queue with all vehicles which is a little tedious. I don't mind having to wait, but when you are on your feet for so long in the queue it seems a little unfair, Imagine if it was heavy rain. Mileage so far 84.<br />
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We finally made it to the boat and although delayed, we were finally on our way back home. Dave had another kip on board and after missing our slot to unload in Dover, we were made to wait before docking. We got our bikes from the car deck and made it to the front, just to be told that we had to wait for all the other vehicles to offload first. I powered up my Garmin and it would only show 'Working' on the screen. After a few minutes it turned itself off. I tried a few times more but the same kept happening. I decided to start Strava on my phone as a back up for the final leg. About 20 minutes later we finally made it off the boat. By this time the sun had dipped below the cliffs. It was noticeably colder as a result.<br />
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We parted ways and I headed back to my car in Dymchurch. It's a long old drag to Folkestone but I made good progress. There's a fast downhill into the town and then it's flat the rest of the way. It was a little boring to be honest. I made it back to my car by 8.45pm. I then got changed and loaded the bike inside. I now had a about an hour drive home. Total mileage 105.<br />
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When I tried to upload my ride onto the computer, the same issue happened. My Garmin was 'Working'. I eventually got it to power up but the ride was lost. All I had was the last 20 miles. Disappointed and even tempted to go back to France for a another go.<br />
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I'd recommend anyone giving a French adventure a go. It's cheap and easy to do and makes a change to ride somewhere new.<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/420391783/embed/1a88111b34aa5998bb3ce64b0504f7ef1732470b" width="590"></iframe>Toby Fieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680271828637653290noreply@blogger.com0