Steve’s Cycle Shorts 4 – Going Potty!

 

GOING POTTY!

How Plant Pots Can Improve Your PB

Anyone who has read my previous Cycle Shorts posts will know that I went through a phase where I was obsessing about floaters: those calm conditions perfect for improving one’s PB in a race.  However, since the weather in England rarely plays ball, I’ve had to look for other ways of improving my times – one of those being what’s called a ‘roll-down’ test.

PRAYING FOR SPEED

Having read a few articles on bike aerodynamics, I felt compelled to do my own roll-down experiment which basically mimics a wind tunnel test.  The idea is to freewheel down a hill in your aero position without pedalling, in order to see how far you roll.  Obviously, the farther you roll, the more streamlined the position.  Many anecdotes report better aerodynamics in the Praying Mantis position, so I was keen to find out if that was true for me.

Loading the bike onto the back of the camper, I thrust a bag of different-coloured plant pots onto Alannah’s lap.  I told her I’d explain later and we headed off, parking just off the old A30 near St Columb Major.  I’d already picked my hill and was fortunate to have the ideal, calm conditions for such a test.  I cycled off up the hill, leaving Alannah at the bottom with the bag of plastic plant pots and a handful of instructions.  No doubt she was thinking the same as me: how wonderful it was to be out in the fresh air as well as spending time with each other.

GOING DOWNHILL

For starters, I did 5 roll-downs in my conventional cycling position, and at the end of each, Alannah would place a black plant pot on the grass verge to mark my finishing point.  God knows what the passing drivers must have thought!  After doing the roll-downs, I was surprised to see that the plant pot markers were quite spaced out, and not closely clustered together, as I’d expected.

Somewhat perturbed by such an anomaly, I angled my bars up 45 degrees into the famed Praying Mantis position and did another 5 roll-downs to compare.  This time, my finishing point was marked by brown plant pots, and again, they were widely spaced instead of close together.

Having a pot colour for each position, I could see the results of each test at a glance and we discussed the results over a hot cuppa in the campervan.  Why was there such a wide variation in results?  After all, all the pots – whether black or brown – were spread over a distance of 20-25 metres or so.

WHAT A DRAG!

At one point, I had noticed a certain amount of buffeting from the traffic going past me (in both directions) so it’s quite possible that this could have changed the wind resistance.  Additionally, Alannah noticed that my path down the hill hadn’t been entirely consistent: at times, I’d cycled nearer to the curb, at others, I’d moved to the centre of the road once I hit the bend at the bottom of the hill.

Completing 10 roll-downs in all, it seemed that it is possible my original position may be slightly more aero, although looking at the plant pot results, this seems minimal.  Later, I consulted my Garmin and checked my average speed during the roll-downs.  This averaged at around 16.8mph for all 10 roll-downs, which isn’t really fast enough for such a test.

A HILL FOR THE BILL

After chatting to my cycling club mates, it seemed clear to me that I would need to find a hill a lot steeper & longer to increase my average speed and to create more drag to get a better result.  I have one in mind that fits the bill: it’s straight (to avoid having to brake due to accumulated speed on bends – & thus having to void the roll-down); it has a rise up the other side (to avoid rolling for miles & miles); and has less traffic (to avoid drag & buffeting).  I’ll let you know the results when the new test is done.

Advice to Cycling Widows: To avoid disappointment, never ask your fanatical cycling spouse if he loves you more than his bike! You may not like the answer you get.

TESTING TIME

Doing a roll-down test is a great way to combine some time out on the bike with quality time spent with your beloved – at least, that’s what I think. 

However, if you should ever do a roll-down test using plant pots, I’d like to pass on one important tip which might help to ensure harmony within your relationship…

If the pots have been sitting in the garden for months on end, make sure you clean them off before handing them over to your spouse for putting out as markers.  Cycling Widows have to put up with enough as it is.  A bag of wet muddy pots is just taking the Mickey!

COMING SOON…

As we’ve mentioned, we’ll be using the campervan to do local daytrips from time to time, and our next mini adventure is Wheal Martyn in St Austell.  So stay tuned to find out more…

  

QUICK PLUG…

If you haven’t heard about Alannah’s Cycling Widows book yet, then why not download a free sample from the Smashwords website?  It’s in digital format – for downloading to eReaders or for home printing – and is currently selling for a low US$2.99 (approx. £1.85).

Alternatively, why not look out for freebies or discounted offers on her Foley’s Forum Blog?

If you belong to an organisation and would like to raffle off a copy of the book, please get in touch with Alannah by email via the Contact/Links page of her website.  Similarly, if you have a blog about cycling and would like to post a review or do an author interview, she looks forward to hearing from you.

Anyway, here’s the book blurb in case you’re interested:

CYCLING WIDOWS

Lifting the Veil
on Living with an Obsessive Cyclist

Are you a cyclist in denial of your addiction to the sport?

Or the long-suffering spouse of an obsessive bike-freak?

Either way, you need to read this!

In the cycling world, the term ‘Cycling Widow’ has long been used to describe the spouse of someone with OCD (Obsessive Cycling Disorder). All across the globe, these women live a lonely life in the shadow of this affliction.

Until now, the world of the Cycling Widow has remained shrouded in secrecy. But, here, the author lifts the veil to candidly reveal the trials, tribulations, highs and lows of living with a cyclomaniac.

Written by a long-suffering Cycling Widow, this satirical look at cycling might just save a few marriages – as well as many a bike from being fed into the garden mulcher.

Includes a handy test to find out – for once & for all – whether it really is a case of ‘hobby or obsession’!

A ‘must read’ for fanatical cyclists & Cycling Widows alike.

Chapter titles include: Twiddling my Widowy Thumbs; Life in the Spin Cycle Lane; The Ultimate Aphrodisiac; Going for a Fitter Model; An Insatiable Appetite; and Lying in a Ditch.

To sample or purchase the book, click & visit the
Smashwords website.

To find out about other work by Alannah, visit the
Foley’s Forum website.

The Land of Arthurian Legend

Journey Date

Daytrip – 30^th Sept 2011

Destination

Tintagel, Cornwall

When it comes to holidaying, people are renowned for neglecting their own locale in favour of somewhere farther afield.  Over more recent times, however, we’ve been making a point of sucking the marrow out of the local tourist destinations (as it were).  And, as we had a visitor over from Down Under who was keen to visit Tintagel Castle, we fired up the campervan for another daytrip.

MONEY FOR MYTH…?

The site of Tintagel Castle, set on Cornwall’s north coast, is now owned by English Heritage and, as most of you will know, it’s the birthplace of King Arthur – or, should I say, the legendary King Arthur…?

Having paid our entrance fee, we were treated to a short video about the site, which made it clear that the story of King Arthur is not necessarily fact, but may actually fall into the realm of myth.

Hmm…, I thought, we fork out good money to see King Arthur’s birthplace, and then we find out the guy might never have existed!?  Well, we were here now, so I guess we’d have to make the most of our day – King Arthur or no King Arthur.

ARTHURIAN ATMOSPHERE

Now, I could have regaled you with tales about having visited a bleak, windswept coastline and it might have sounded quite atmospheric, what with romantic monarchic legends haunting the landscape.  Unfortunately, it was a beautiful day which showed off the last of the summer sunshine, so much so that our Ozzie visitor probably thought he was back home.  I apologised for the good weather, promising that it actually was normally much more overcast and gloomy here in England.  Better luck next time, eh?

Apparently, Tintagel Castle was built about 500 years ago (some time after the not-sure-he-even-existed King Arthur was supposed to have lived).  However, before we were to see any of the ruins, we would have to scale a heckuva lot of steps.  And I don’t use the word ‘scale’ here lightly.  The steps were so steep that one lady had to lift her dog up them.  And don’t get me started on wheelchair access – which would have been impossible unless you had a winch.

At the top of the first flight of steps were the remains of a fortification, now home to a solitary seagull.  Looking over the walls, it was clear that the sheer cliffs and lashing seas would have afforded strong protection against marauders – and, if nothing else, the steep incline would have wheedled out the unfit ones.

DOORWAY TO THE PAST

Descending the steps was almost as hairy as the ascent, and we moved on to another set of slightly-less-steep steps which led, through a medieval-looking doorway, to the main headland.  Here were the ruins of a stronghold built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, in the early 13^th Century.

Over the years, the headland has apparently seen many constructions come and go; and outlines of old buildings can be seen dotted about.  Thousands of pieces of pottery have been found in the area, which have led archaeologists to believe that Tintagel was the centre of a luxury goods trade, the likes of which are unknown in the rest of Cornwall.

On such a sunny day, the views from the cliffs were glorious; and I had to wonder what it must have been like living on the headland all those years ago, especially when it was cold, wet and windy.  Squalling winter days might make an atmospheric backdrop to films and TV shows about King Arthur and the (also legendary) wizard, Merlin (whose dwelling cave is said to have been somewhere down below the cliffs), but they can’t have been that pleasant to endure.

Can YOU spot the clot?

CLOTTED CORNISH…?

After we’d had enough exploration, it was time to head off to town so our friend from Down Under could experience a traditional Cornish Cream Tea.  Now, some say that Cornish folk aren’t that bright, but Steve & I have always thought that anyone who can charge a fiver for a bit of hot water, a couple of teabags plus scones, cream & jam – all of which are pretty cheap and left to the customer to look after – has got to be pretty canny!

Fully refreshed, we made our way home and our Ozzie friend spotted a sign for ‘Arthur’s Stone’, so we turned off to investigate.  No doubt, he was keen to see if this would lead us to the stone from which King Arthur pulled out his legendary (and possibly non-existent) sword, Excalibur.

Unfortunately, time was getting on and the entrance gates were locked.  We turned round and drove off.  My friend might not have shown it, but deep down I think he was disappointed at not having had a chance at trying to pull the sword from the stone.  Oh, well…  At least he’d been to see Tintagel Castle… even if Arthur was the stuff of legends and might not even have existed in the first place!

 

TIPS & CONCLUSIONS

• Since there is no parking at Tintagel Castle, you need to find alternative parking.  We found a spot just before the town which was cheap at only £1.50 a day.  The Pay & Displays in town would probably cost a bit more.
• Rather than take extended holidays, why not go for shorter local breaks and learn something about your area.  The money you’d normally spend on fuel can either be saved or spent on a treat and you avoid the hassle of having to load up the campervan.

For the foreseeable future, we’ll be taking our own advice and getting the most out of the campervan by making daytrips.  It’s a great way of exploring the local area whilst letting the van stretch its wheels every now and then.

COMING SOON…

We recently made a short trip out in the camper to undertake what would no doubt have looked to some like ‘strange goings-on’ off the A30 – all of which will be the focal point of another Steve’s Cycle Shorts soon.

Advice to Cycling Widows: To avoid disappointment, never ask your fanatical cycling spouse if he loves you more than his bike! You may not like the answer you get.

If you enjoy reading the Campervan Capers blog but don’t want to be bothered checking for new posts, then why not become a subscriber and get it sent to you by email?  Just enter your details under ‘Subscribe Here’ (on the right) and let our ‘virtual secretary’ post one out to you automatically.

WHAT?…  THERE’S MORE?…

If you noticed the date of our trip to Tintagel, you’ll probably be wondering why it’s taken me so long to post.  What have I been doing all this time?…  Sitting on my backside?  Err…  Well, the answer is YES, actually, I have!

As it happens, I’ve been beavering away on my other writing projects so I can finally get round to working up a first draft for my Campervan Capers book.

I know some of my readers are interested in my projects, so here’s a quick run-down of  the stuff I’ve now published, along with links so you can check out free samples.  These are all available in digital format – to download for eReaders or for home printing:

 

CYCLING WIDOWS

Lifting the Veil on Living with an Obsessive Cyclist (I think you can guess who that is!?)

Click to read a free sample or buy with Smashwords.

 

 SHADES

A Collection of Short Fictional Works

Click to read a free sample or buy with Smashwords.  You can also read some free short stories from the book on the Short Stories page of my Foley’s Forum website.

 

THE JACARANDA TRAIL

A Journey of Discovery Down Under

Click to read a free sample or buy with Smashwords.

 

FANCY A FREEBIE?

There are also occasional free and discounted offers on The Foley’s Forum Blog, plus lots more.  So if you’re interested in my work, why not subscribe to receive posts via email?  If you’re quick, you might even catch this week’s offer of a free download of The Jacaranda Trail on the blog.

If you belong to an organisation and would like to raffle off a copy of any of these books, please get in touch by email via the Contact/Links page of my website.  Similarly, if you have a blog about cycling, family history or fiction and would like to post a review or do an author interview, I look forward to hearing from you.

Hope you enjoy reading!