nickjones
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Slow start to 2019
2019 has got off to a slow start for me cycling wise 🙁 My mileage is currently way down from the 3013km at this point last year, in fact, it currently is only 1647 km plus I’m finding myself much slower up the hills which could be due to the additional 1.5kg I’ve accrued 🙁 …
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My first (probably the last) RRtY Audax
I’m now the rather proud owner of my first Audax award one of only 819 folks in the UK 🙂 The award is given for completing at least a 200km Audax on twelve consecutive months hence its name “Randonneurs Round the Year” or RRtY. My first ride of my series was the Santa Special in…
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First test of my CTC leadership skills – Balsham to Isleham
Having been riding with the Cambridge CTC for the past 10 months I thought it was now time to try my hand at being a Group Leader on one of their City Thursday rides. First thing I had to learn was that it’s the leader job to work out a route between the previously designated…
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Return to Moscow
Sunday 29th July 2018 After the nights shenanigans I woke up feeling really ill which was a pity as the lake looked really inviting. However, I decided to leave Ostashkov and get back to big city life and all its niceties in Moscow. Ostashkov is definitely up and coming and I’m sure the derelict properties…
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Birthday source
Saturday 28 July 2018 On my 71st birthday I was up bright and early ready to start the journey to The Volga’s source, , having slept OK despite how busy the Russian rail network was below me. Nowhere was open for breakfast at 5.30 so I made do with a crust of bread in my…
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On the Russian trains
Friday 27th July 2018 My first time on a train in Russia was last nights overnight sleeper to Moscow from Cheboksary. I chose the most expensive option, a First class cabin to myself which came with an evening meal & private shower/toilet. It took nearly 13 hours todo the 474 miles including some extended stops,…
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Relaxing in Cheboksary
Thursday 26 July 2018 I’ve spent the last three days relaxing in The Garden Hotel in Cheboksary I’ve not even looked at the bike instead I’ve spent time in the lovely empty pool and reading the first novel written by Martina Cole after listening to her & her fascinating rags to riches story on Desert…
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Volga ride Nikol’skoye to Cheboksary
Monday 23rd July 2018 After a night in a truckers stop I now know there are trucks on the road all night, maybe a lot fewer but they roll through the night! I had a PYO breakfast and then tried sorting the gears out, the rear derailleur was easy just needed the wire tensioning the…
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Volga ride Lyskovo to Talgar Motel
Sunday 22nd July 2018 I’ve no idea what time the wedding party finished as I zonked out! Breakfast was not that good with not many liquids or fried eggs why are hard boiled eggs so messy to peel? I eventually got away and was amused by the kids playpark having a galaxy of army weaponry…
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Volga Ride Nizhny Novgorod to Lyskovo
Saturday 21st July 2018 Today was a nightmare of biking alongside endless convoys of articulated trucks etc, so much for my theory the main E22/M7 road would be quieter at the weekend 🙁 The first 8km or so was interesting to see all the new detached housing developments & the huge builders merchants, the economy…