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Mon 4th 9.30am Postponed Pirates Pedal Pusher
Yo Ho shipmates
I know you're all disappointed at Sunday's washed out cruise, and Monday's weather is set fair - so instead:
Meet at 9.30am outside 3 Tuns...Visit Alex Dowsett's home county and celebrate - yes, it's East to Essex....
......Not at the same pace as Alex, though...aiming for 16-17 mph for 40 odd miles.
All aboard the Black Pig, everyone welcome!
FD
I know you're all disappointed at Sunday's washed out cruise, and Monday's weather is set fair - so instead:
Meet at 9.30am outside 3 Tuns...Visit Alex Dowsett's home county and celebrate - yes, it's East to Essex....
......Not at the same pace as Alex, though...aiming for 16-17 mph for 40 odd miles.
All aboard the Black Pig, everyone welcome!
FD
Comments
This morning's intended route:
https://connect.garmin.com/course/9490568
45 miles @ 16mph or thereabouts. Back at Tuns around 1pm, all being well.
Weather forecast
Today
Mainly fine with sunny spells and lighter winds. This sunshine will become hazy later, with cloud thickening and winds strengthening later ahead of evening rain.
In other words, sunshine guaranteed....bring the suntan lotion!
Fair weather Dutchman
Just 3 brave crew set sail this morning, clearly too much grog consumed the night before!
Route changed, as a smaller crew meant we all had to do large stints at the oars.
Weather not quite as the BBC shipping forecast promised - but dry, with a stiff Sou' Westerly breeze.
We steamed out to northern waters at 18.5 knots, slowing into the return headwind for 32 miles @ 17.5 knots.
Quite a short ride, but a high intensity effort by the 3 of us, especially with that nagging wind to contend with.
Slept in the hammock in the garden afterwards enjoying the blue skies, before being rudely awakened by Admiral Flying Dutchwoman who threatened me with the plank if I didn't undertake various repairs to home port, get the garden ship shape and walk the dogs!
Now time to get down the tavern for my ration of rum.
Flogged Dutchman
All ok here (- my back feels ok and my legs are tired, so those tweaks to the winter bike seem to have done the trick)
Started at 29C, but cooled nicely to 24C as we climbed
Lots of 10 to 13 percent climbs,
Highlight 10 km descent done in 10 mins with sweeping bends
Big ride Wednesday, will be taking a baguette
CP
Good to hear the pair of you are fostering Anglo-Spanish relations
Seems to be a touch warm though for climbing mountains - best stick to the poolside?
Take a leaf out of Dutchie's book - you're better off drinking 10-13% wines, than climbing 10-13% grades.
Good luck Wednesday and take some lightweight tapas instead of the heavier baguette
FD
2100 metre summit with the observatories on Calar Alto
Most of the ride at 7 percent with an 18 percent and 20 percent section at the top
1500 metres of climb through the the trees over 30 km long
A Spanish crew of 8 with support car, straight onto the climb
CCA held true on both the climb and the descent
Regrouped with 27 km to descend, done in 30 mins
So Nick ( sonic ) and I now mountain junkies
Stunning views , blue skies and with an adrenalin buzz
Must sort a group pirate flotilla one day
One off the bucket list
CP
Excelente el Capitan y No Tonterias Nick
Good to hear your wine increased in strength on the way up from a watery 7% to a fortified 20% at the summit.
Drinking a bucket full is quite some achievement in that heat - bravo!
Guess you celebrated with your old friend, San Miguel?
Regale us with piratical tales of the Spanish Main on your return to Blighty
Cerveza (not Cervelo) Dutchman
Play nicely with the Pirates.....
.... we're such lovely, warm, welcoming folk!
Friendly Dutchman
He was Sonic going down though
View from the top included the Serria Nevada
Celebrations with tapas and beer at lunch with the traditional Estrella and a curry at night
Excellent recovery, feeling good today
Rest day today for the tour
Back to steady 5 percent climbs tomorrow
CP
You'll be pleased to know the weather is following you home...
....sunny and warm on Sunday...rising to a balmy 24C by Tuesday.
Perfect for riding and beer afterwards....btw new tapas bar opening in Hitchin!
Muchos gracias
San Miguel
Late flight in early hours Sunday
Hence on for ride Sunday 2 pm
Of course carry on 09.30 as normal if you wish
Lots of beer by the pool
Prawns , Spanish sausage ( steady ) and allioli
New government to allow early retirement for all cyclists
Oh it's a full moon as well
will bring the sunshine back on Sunday
CP