I had the most horrendous cramp in my left hamstring on the way home. Fook me it hurt! Not had it on the bike before. Are cake cramps a thing...?
No pain no gain If it ain’t hurting you’re not trying Went out for a short 2hour ride, picture of an old canal now being reclaimed by nature. I believe it’s part of the old Hatherton extension which eventually links up further down to the Essington and Wyrley canal. It’s cut just beyond this point by the M6 near to junction 12.
Today’s cycling top tip. If you do fall off , don’t do it with a 1 litre tub of Greek yoghurt in yr backpack .Messy
The canal in the picture won’t ever be reclaimed it’s a dead end. Think it ‘a unlikely the aqueduct installed above the M6 Toll will ever be connected to a canal. A White Elephant I guess, money and effort could be put to better use on the canal network IMO.
check for varicose veins on that leg, and particularly if you compare them with the right leg and you see more on the left then this will certainly contribute. they can be in several locations, mine much worse on the right and need treating ideally as results in cramp that you cannot turn off by stretching. possibly many comments by me on this over the last few years.
This is the bridge from where I took the pic. https://www.cotswoldcanals.net/weymoor-bridge https://www.cotswoldcanals.net/latton-basin I've posted a few pics of this unusual (round) lock keepers cottage before. These projects take a long time to complete as they depend on grants, donations and the like. I grew up close to the K&A, I saw that go from a derelict ditch to what it is now. I'm sure you know there's some nice cycling to be had along the canal network.
I sat and had my sarnie at the war memorial opposite a few weeks ago (coming from Windrush). Before conquering the cat 4 hill on the way out on my hybrid bike...That stung...
You definitely have my sympathy, it’s something ive suffered with in the past. Soluble magnesium, lots of during and post ride electrolytes, seem to have reduced the amount of times I have had it this year.
Spent the last few days thinking about a LEJOG in 2026. Lots of questions and thoughts, supported, unsupported, 15 days or more. If unsupported, how to dry cycling short chamois in time without using a tumble drier. Do I get a new bike, current bike has 8,000 miles, will have probably over 12,000 maybe more by then.
roll them tightly in a towel..if glamping wash em in the shower with you then roll your whole kit very tightly in a towel
You most defo' need a new bike... Seriously, if it was me i'd give my existing bike a good service before going. Inspect and replace if needed, brake pads, chain, cassette, chain rings etc. Fit quality puncture resistant tyres. Take tools, spare chain link, tubes and brake pads. They'll be plenty of bike shops on route if you need anything else. Go for it... Once/if my issues are resolved I hope to be doing a bit more of this type of thing.
