Spud Riley - Fixed gear

I obviously need to be more careful about what I read. I was strongly inspired two blog entries this week. I loved the idea of riding the Polka-dot / Spud Riley short loop thanks to Etape 2009 and I loved the idea of a breakfast ontop of a hill thanks to Middlebrook valley Trail .

I set off from Leek at 8am this morning on the Ashbourne road to Bottom House before making my way to Longnor and joining the Polka-dot route there. For some reason I had decided to do the route on the singlespeed/fixie with the fixed gear in play. I was struggling with some of the hills before I even got to Longor and I already resigned myself to a push up Crowdecote bank.

To my surprise I didn't need to push. I was actually somehow managing to ride up a 20% hill on a fixed gear bike. I probably would of been quicker walking and I did make one poor car wait as I went around a switch back in the middle of the road because the inside line was far too steep.

Now all that was needed was a long drag up to Axe edge. Stopping for breakfast on the way.

I was rather unsure about having to carry pots, pans and a stove on such a hilly long ride. the thought of having to lug a camping stove around with me all day didn't appeal; but thankfully Tescos came to my aid. They sell packs of Bacon Sandwiches (cold) and "hot when you want" coffee. The coffee is magical. You just click the lid, shake it a bit then pour a cup of hot coffee out of the tin - brilliant! No stove needed. I really enjoyed my road side breakfast even if the bacon sandwich wasn't hot.

Now came a short decent past the Cat and Fiddle before taking the turn off past Lamaload Reservoir. My legs majorly disliked being spun quickly after having spent the last hour or so grinding away. I got to the short climb just past the reservoir and ground to a halt. I couldn't get up. After a few minutes rest and a drink of water I managed the rest of the climb.

Now came a long steep decent into Bollington. I unclipped for this and let the pedals spin on their own while I freewheeled down legs up in the air. A short loop around Pot Shigley then it was time for the horrible climb up Bakerstonedale road to Kettleshume then Side End lane to Erwood Reservoir and back to the Cat and Fiddle.

I was longing for a lower gear up this climb. Its just far too long for me to climb out of the saddle and too steep to remain seated all the way. Eventually, with much relief I reached the Cat and Fiddle. I stopped here and cheated. I turned my rear wheel the other way around to make the bike a single speed ready for the long descent to Algreave and ready for the descent back into Leek past the Winking man.

From Algreave it was a murderous climb to Flash. My legs had now completely gone. I was very happy to finally reach Flash and the end of the climbing for the day. Now all that was left was to potter slowly back into Leek.

So thats my 100km for the month but I failed to do it fixed wheel. I suppose I can say thats my first 100km single speed? Doesn't quite have the same ring to it somehow though.

Ride time 4hours,15mins

Distance 64miles.

6900ft of acent - and it felt it!