Well today I had to go out because tomorrow is going to be wet all day. As lazy as I am I can't do two whole days doing nothing but slobbing watching the telly.
I also thought I'd up the amount of kit to take to see what that would be like.
I took my hand saw, large BG knife, trangia (inc mug and matches) + 1 liter meths, sleeping bag, first aid kit, poncho tarp, 3 liters water, waterproof trousers, windproof jacket, thermal trousers, waterproof cover for the cycling helmet, insulated seat, extra warm hat & gloves. Because I wasn't sure how long I'd be out or how dark it'd be in the wooded sections I also had three flashing units on the back and the main headlamp on the front.
Was quite a weight that lot.
Not long after setting off I realised the bags are still a bit far forward, especially on the left, when they're loaded up. I had to stop at the bus stop and do slight adjustment to force it further back. Helped a little but I'm going to have to try and get something made to handle it better.
The temperature on the front door thermometer was reading less than 5degC while I was getting ready. Despite this I only had a thermal top and the usual cycling jacket on top, while I had the cycling shorts with long socks on the lower half. This was because I knew I'd be sweating within about 1-2kms.
The sun was bright and quite low in the sky even at noon(ish). The flashing lights were lit so that I didn't disappear in the glare or shadows. Quite a few people overtook me on the way up to Solli Gnord, but only in cars. Didn't see many people on bikes that's for sure.
As I went through some of the shaded sections of road, on the way up, there was frost still on the grass and it actually looked like there was ice on the tarmac.
As usual I got to Solli Gard about 45mins after setting off. The extra weight not helping, particularly on the steeper sections. The section just as you get into Solli Gard was particularly hurtful to the knees.
I had left before lunch and was hoping to get some sort of snack at Solli Gard. Unfortunately I had forgotten, again, that they don't have anybody serving there. It's self service.
Inside the building, which has been set up to look like the old style farmhouses I guess, there are a number of items just on plates etc. Help yourself and leave the cash in the box. The coffee and tea water were in small flasks so didn't think they'd be too hot. Didn't have either as I was planning on hot tea when I stopped at the lake anyway. I just had a cookie and a glass of squash.
Just in front there is a Norwegian fire pit.
It's made from three metal legs in a tripod, with the bed hanging from a hook on each. There is also a length of chain hanging from the top to hang things over the fire. This length of chain is not fixed in place so that it is easy to adjust the height.
As I entered the wooded sections behind Solli Gard I could see that the temperature was colder still, despite the sun being out all morning. There was frost on the ground and the pools had sheet ice on them. Won't be too long before the temperature gets too low for a jolly without some serious planning
On the first steep downhill section I was finding it hard to look too far head if I went at full chat. Even with the shocks engaged on the front, it was quite hard on the arms. I think the extra weight at the back was making it faster. The left pannier is not currently held into the bike, so any swaying sent the bag away from the frame making it a bit unstable.
I did have the GoPro running, but because it was mounted on the handle bars it was just too shaky to be kept. All the movies from today have been deleted in fact. I might have to look into a chest harness to see how that'd work. The helmet mount is a little too high, and obvious. Got very little in the way of photographs actually.
Still haven't memorised the route completely, despite this being the fourth time I've run it. I had a little side trip and back after the first step descent. Initially I thought I'd see where it went but after checking the ViewRanger app decided to head round a track I knew.
Eventually got to the usual stopping place at the lake and saw a fraction of the people I thought I would. Despite it being a bit cooler, at les than 5degC it was bright and clear, out of the wooded sections. I did see a guy in a wheel chair being pushed by his missus, which was quite an achievement given the state of the tracks.
As I was going round I didn't see any obvious dry wood so didn't have anything to start a fire with. I set up the Trangia and had a couple of cups of tea instead.
I did strip off the tops and hung them on the bike in the slight breeze to dry bit while I waited. I put on the wind-proof from my bag.
While walking after drinking my tea I accidentally dropped my MP3 player in the lake. Unfortunately I din't get down quick enough to stop the bubbles escaping and I think it's completely knackered. I was quite fond of that little thing, as it had an external speaker which meant you didn't have to use headphones with it.
It was getting quite chilly at this point so I thought it prudent to start heading back.
In the low light conditions through the wooded sections I was worried I might hit a bgt dent in the track at high speed. There was one section where it was a close call, and I nearly went over the front end. Slowed down and put the weight even further over the back wheel.
In all I spent just under 4 hours out of the house and completed 20km/12miles. Not very fast admittedly but exercise none the less.
If I can get out a little earlier next time, I might try and go a bit more East after leaving the lake, towards Slependen, just as a bit of a change. Depends on the conditions.
I also thought I'd up the amount of kit to take to see what that would be like.
I took my hand saw, large BG knife, trangia (inc mug and matches) + 1 liter meths, sleeping bag, first aid kit, poncho tarp, 3 liters water, waterproof trousers, windproof jacket, thermal trousers, waterproof cover for the cycling helmet, insulated seat, extra warm hat & gloves. Because I wasn't sure how long I'd be out or how dark it'd be in the wooded sections I also had three flashing units on the back and the main headlamp on the front.
Was quite a weight that lot.
Not long after setting off I realised the bags are still a bit far forward, especially on the left, when they're loaded up. I had to stop at the bus stop and do slight adjustment to force it further back. Helped a little but I'm going to have to try and get something made to handle it better.
The temperature on the front door thermometer was reading less than 5degC while I was getting ready. Despite this I only had a thermal top and the usual cycling jacket on top, while I had the cycling shorts with long socks on the lower half. This was because I knew I'd be sweating within about 1-2kms.
The sun was bright and quite low in the sky even at noon(ish). The flashing lights were lit so that I didn't disappear in the glare or shadows. Quite a few people overtook me on the way up to Solli Gnord, but only in cars. Didn't see many people on bikes that's for sure.
As I went through some of the shaded sections of road, on the way up, there was frost still on the grass and it actually looked like there was ice on the tarmac.
As usual I got to Solli Gard about 45mins after setting off. The extra weight not helping, particularly on the steeper sections. The section just as you get into Solli Gard was particularly hurtful to the knees.
I had left before lunch and was hoping to get some sort of snack at Solli Gard. Unfortunately I had forgotten, again, that they don't have anybody serving there. It's self service.
Inside the building, which has been set up to look like the old style farmhouses I guess, there are a number of items just on plates etc. Help yourself and leave the cash in the box. The coffee and tea water were in small flasks so didn't think they'd be too hot. Didn't have either as I was planning on hot tea when I stopped at the lake anyway. I just had a cookie and a glass of squash.
Just in front there is a Norwegian fire pit.
It's made from three metal legs in a tripod, with the bed hanging from a hook on each. There is also a length of chain hanging from the top to hang things over the fire. This length of chain is not fixed in place so that it is easy to adjust the height.
As I entered the wooded sections behind Solli Gard I could see that the temperature was colder still, despite the sun being out all morning. There was frost on the ground and the pools had sheet ice on them. Won't be too long before the temperature gets too low for a jolly without some serious planning
On the first steep downhill section I was finding it hard to look too far head if I went at full chat. Even with the shocks engaged on the front, it was quite hard on the arms. I think the extra weight at the back was making it faster. The left pannier is not currently held into the bike, so any swaying sent the bag away from the frame making it a bit unstable.
I did have the GoPro running, but because it was mounted on the handle bars it was just too shaky to be kept. All the movies from today have been deleted in fact. I might have to look into a chest harness to see how that'd work. The helmet mount is a little too high, and obvious. Got very little in the way of photographs actually.
Still haven't memorised the route completely, despite this being the fourth time I've run it. I had a little side trip and back after the first step descent. Initially I thought I'd see where it went but after checking the ViewRanger app decided to head round a track I knew.
Eventually got to the usual stopping place at the lake and saw a fraction of the people I thought I would. Despite it being a bit cooler, at les than 5degC it was bright and clear, out of the wooded sections. I did see a guy in a wheel chair being pushed by his missus, which was quite an achievement given the state of the tracks.
As I was going round I didn't see any obvious dry wood so didn't have anything to start a fire with. I set up the Trangia and had a couple of cups of tea instead.
I did strip off the tops and hung them on the bike in the slight breeze to dry bit while I waited. I put on the wind-proof from my bag.
While walking after drinking my tea I accidentally dropped my MP3 player in the lake. Unfortunately I din't get down quick enough to stop the bubbles escaping and I think it's completely knackered. I was quite fond of that little thing, as it had an external speaker which meant you didn't have to use headphones with it.
It was getting quite chilly at this point so I thought it prudent to start heading back.
In the low light conditions through the wooded sections I was worried I might hit a bgt dent in the track at high speed. There was one section where it was a close call, and I nearly went over the front end. Slowed down and put the weight even further over the back wheel.
In all I spent just under 4 hours out of the house and completed 20km/12miles. Not very fast admittedly but exercise none the less.
If I can get out a little earlier next time, I might try and go a bit more East after leaving the lake, towards Slependen, just as a bit of a change. Depends on the conditions.
