Today I decided to test recent repairs to both my bike and my knackers with a steady cycle around Calvia, Mallorca.
Out in the cold
For most of last year my bike hasn't had a look-in. The Paddleboard season started in April and my bike was already looking a bit worse for wear, having spent the last 3 years sheltered, but outside. I'd also been told to go easy on exercise following the Vasectomy and I'd read cycling was one to avoid for a little while. However, with my ballbag feeling much better over the past week, I decided it was time to take the bike in for a service with plans to burn some rubber (insert Vasectomy less burning rubber joke here?) of the weekend.
I dropped the bike off last Tuesday and asked the shop owner to sort the brakes, change the chain, and give the bike a general service. The front brake was completely broken and the back wasn't very good at all when braking from speed. And the chain, having been left in sandy, humid air, was pretty rusted. Looking at the bill and the message he sent me a couple of days later, he'd done a lot of work and struggled at times.
Hi Asher...the bike has been without maintenance for a long time and I'm having a hard time getting it to work properly. I have changed the brake pads and cleaned the caliper and I have polished the discs. I have changed the chain and I have adjusted the gears and the derailleur and tried to recover the levers (cleaning and greasing).... now they are working fine, but the return problem persists. Maybe they will work better with use... otherwise we will have to change them.
He explained that the 'gear up' shifter wasn't returning to its home position automatically, and that maybe it would correct itself over the coming weeks. I can say that after riding today, I didn't really have an issue with this and the bike is like new to ride - working brakes are just awesome!
I gave the guy a little extra and have a feeling that I'll be back there for parts (inner-tubes!) and other repairs in future.
Calvia Circuit
I've taken this route before and choose it when I fancy cycling up hill really slowly. This isn't that often, but these more hilly routes feel like they've really worked the legs and cleared the lungs out.
With working from home, I do have to make sure that I get out not just during the warmer months and even though I didn't speak to anyone during my ride today, the different scenery and open roads made me feel less secluded, and really grateful to live on the Island.
Mallorca really is a great place to own a Bicycle. A number of roads offer a cycle lane, and there are often signs reminding motorists that there will likely be red faced cyclists around.
Below was probably the tightest corner on my route today, and one that my now excellent brakes would have helped me glide around in style - Except I stopped to take a photo and have a pee.
There are also plenty of cycle and pedestrian paths which are often shared. I try not to speed on these anymore as I had a close shave with a dog lead in low light one evening a year or two ago. 😮
Whilst the view from the chairs in the photo above isn't too bad, the motorway runs parallel to the path and is quite audible from this location.
The Windmill at Santa Ponca motorway exit has I think made it into one of my blogs before. Again, there is seating, but this is even closer to cars flying past at 120 km/h.
Numbers!
Today's journey of almost 27 km took me almost two hours, with a moving time of just under 1 hour and forty minutes. This distance felt good, and with the temperature getting cooler as the day went on, I was glad I didn't plan a longer route.
The most interesting, and potentially the least believable, statistic was my top speed during the ride of 93.2 km/h! I ride an 18 gear trek bike with grippy, wide wheels and I'm surprised that it can go this speed.
Back where we started
At roundabout 7 - hair is looking a bit bigger than when I set off though 👳
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you found the time to move your body today.
Cheers
Ash
Bicycle repairs can be very costly. Especially when your bike isn't kept indoors. Over the years I managed to learn how I can do some maintenance myself and that saves me quite some money.
Good to hear you're back on the bike after your recovery. Its aways nice when you are able to go out on a bicycle again.
Mallorca seems a great place to go cycling. I know many amateur and pro cyclists spend their some time there during the winter so they can continue training.
The views are great and you have a cool bicycle!
93 kilometers an hour is extremely fast. I have never reached that on my road bike before and I have done quite some steep descents. My top speed was around 80, but everything on the bike was shaking at that speed including myself 😅
Thanks for sharing!
@friendlymoose
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Geez -you like like a hippie with that hair!!
93kmh??
Thank you! A trim is due, maybe next in the next month or so for a trip back to the UK.
93 sounds a bit more realistic at 58 miles per hour - still quick though and I wasn't going flat out at any point.
Sounds a good price to pay to get your bike up to speed, so to speak. Looks like an awesome place to cycle! Glad your ballbag has recovered.
I think the SKY TV network team train here, although on the opposite side of the island.
Ballbag well on the way to recovery, got to wait until end of April for first checkup though - ages!
Taking a knife to the boys, brave! Lol.
Good to see you’re around a bit more dude! I love riding bikes - I’m looking forward to getting back into it in the future. My last one was sadly stolen and I haven’t replaced it yet. One day!
I won’t be going 60 mph on a bike though I can tell you that lol
Thank you. I'm not regretting the decision at all and am waiting patiently (end April!) for the all (empty) clear!
Thanks. Do tell me if I'm here too much! :)
I hope you can pick a bike up, even if it's not new - there could be some sales / unwanted Xmas presents knocking around?
90 km/h.... If I could locate on Strava where that speed was happening, I'd try for 100 km/h next time :D
wow, that's one expensive bike to show your calves around Calvia :)
I don't let it out of my sight - I've had a more expensive one taken already (4 years or so ago).
My calves are pathetic - skinny legs but they can move :)
Cycling is fun man and good to see you focusing on health and fitness. I also do cycling sometimes but looks like you're giving some solid fitness goals. Have a great weekend
Thank you dude. Health/fitness is important if we are to spend out Hive riches later in life :)
Have a great weekend too!
Those roads basically crave for bikers crossing them, lol! That's my thought whenever I see a place so solitude and beautiful. Happy to hear the healing is going on well!
Yeah they are super - much better than the UK!
Thank you - important to me that all is well down there!
Hehehe that makes the two of us, I also went cycling today!
yay!
I wish I can ride a bicycle 🚲 😕
I learnt quite young but I'm sure it's never too late!
Thank you 😊
Look like you had a great ride in a beautiful place.
I did, thank you :)
Looks like there were so many things wrong with that bike
I’m glad you got it fixed
Enjoy your ride always
Yes, my fault for not taking care of it.
Thank you :)
I don't own a bike, but I didn't know repair costs can be that much. I guess it also depends on the type of bike, and the replacement parts used. If your reader didn't bug out, 93km/h is really fast, and might be really dangerous on a bike. I'm guessing it was from going downhill. I hope you keep safe out there.
I love cycling but haven't gotten one yet. Mallorca sure looks cool for cycling
Route looks interesting, a reasonable run after repairs which actually, most probably, not too expensive after not maintaining for quite some time.
Awesome windmill, bicycle, motorway capture.
Hair standing on end after realization hit what speed you obtained...
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