Monthly Archives: Dec 2013

Angry green van.

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CK- Distance: 44.37mi, time: 02:57:05, speed: 15.03mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/452001445
Wet roads; overnight rain has washed off problem mud, so the roads were good today.
Southport has advanced stop lines (for bikes). The first one, on the southern approach to Southport has a left filter lane so I stood on the left edge of the middle lane, ready to in straight on. Behind me was a small metallic green van. When the lights changed, I clipped in and rode on pulling left for traffic. The van hovered threateningly only a yard behind. Next, he overtook and swerved in twice before driving away. All the while, he was staring at me, shouting and gesturing. I could not hear any of it. Very strange, I puzzled over this for the rest of the ride- 45 miles.

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Regional habits.

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7C, very strong SW wind.
Tracked with MapMyRide! Distance: 21.03mi, time: 01:35:21, pace: 4:32min/mi, speed: 13.24mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/451560323
The above is probably wrong, short by a mile or two. It’s strange that the phone dropped the GPS signal in the same place as yesterday. Why, is there a rip in the space-time continuum just there?
Yes, that’ll be it.
My crap theory is that each reign has its own bad driving habits; Walsall, jumping red lights; Staffordshire. Drivers signal right to go straight on. Around Southport, drivers don’t switch their lights on until long after dark.

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In a gale.

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7C, v. Strong wind. Clear sunny.
CK: Distance: 23.5mi, time: 01:33:50, speed: 15.03mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/450339929
Very strong wind from the south. The return leg across the flatlands called The Moss. With no cover the full blast of that wind blew across this road built on a raised dyke. I leant over hard pulling on the right-hand bar just to keep a straight line. Good fun really.

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Drive safely.

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Very wet later. 10°C.
What can I do if I want to drive safely? I should use the motorway later today. But what can I do when I leave a space in front and cars cut in removing my stopping distance. Often they are cars moving back from the third lane where they all tail-gate one another. Nobody observes the two-second rule.

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Riding around rainbows.

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Rain & sun, 6°C, brisk SW

Sunday ride, tracked with with MapMyRide! Distance: 52.1mi, time: 03:39:22, speed: 14.3mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/449529887
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A long ribbon of dark cloud ran from the south-west. Under the darkest parts, the wind whipped up to quite a cold wet blast. William Turner would know this, I thought of him as I was blown along.
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That tantalizing clear air did blow my direction, only about half an hour after this picture was taken outside Twycross Zoo.

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End of term.

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I rode with MapMyRide! Distance: 37.45mi, time: 02:39:28, speed: 14.09mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/448782769
A pretty poor average speed, though I did have my school bag on the back and many roads were coated in slimey red mud.
What a fine way to end a long term!
Most years, I get home and feel a bit of anti-climax. Today, I buzzed with energy and a deep contentment.
I would have lost my mind years ago if there was no physical release like this. Car drivers must have boundless patience and resilience to do the daily commute. All those hours accumulated in traffic jams. Months of your life spent sitting, waiting,polluting. The expense! You have to admire them.

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Purloin the comestibles

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3C. Heavy rain/sleet.
End of term. It’s getting faster- the passage of time. This certainly has been a long and tiring term. But, less tiring than usual. I credit those extended rides home for the feelings of refreshment and satisfaction. Some nights I clocked up 38 miles, made possible with those new lights. I should have bought them years ago. It’s. A feeling of freedom.
The season is about to change, officially speaking. Autumn was a remarkably mild and dry one. Dry roads reflect headlights well and we have seen little frost. This morning’s ride to work was a little nervous. A thin strip of had lined the gutters from a night of freezing rain.
Now, rest is within reach, but the stress of shopping looms. Fortunately, Christmas is early so we can get on and enjoy the holiday once it’s over..

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Life Of Pi.

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10C, some rain.
Cycle- Distance: 50.20mi, time: 03:40:21, speed: 13.67mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/446467589
Pretty low speed ride, but my back is so stiff. This time of year, many cafes are closed. Some don’t open until February.
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Film- Life Of Pi. A film that works on many levels. There are various religious threads, one of which doesn’t appear until near the end. The lead character, Pi asks about two stories given about the survival at sea. Which was the better story; the first one, or the second true one? It seems to be a question posed by the nature of religion. Should we believe what is true, or what is beautiful?
The mistake that religious followers make is that they choose the latter.
I could not decide whether this was presented as a critique or a support of faith.

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Rain please.

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9°C, light S. Wind. CA-28 miles.
Rain is forecast tomorrow, and I know this will sound odd, but I hope it is heavy. The roads are so greasy and slimey, the grip is a bit unpredictable in places. Yesterday, I checked Tyre pressures in case view were soft. No, it wasn’t that. Today, a colleague told up how she bumped her car, the emergency stop skidded.
So, the tarmac needs a good rinse.
My legs are empty, so I will drive anyway.

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Old clubmate.

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7°C, light SW wind. Clear and dry.
CA-38 miles.
On the extended ride home. I happened across an old clubmate in the darkness. We illuminated the night with white headlights and talked of times old and new. The cycling club now has 300 members. Wow! There used to be about 25.
Also, never seen this before- a group of about 8 cyclists, also using their white lights for a night ride in the lanes.
Like a kid, I have been looking forward to this ride all day, and it worked out even better than I hoped.
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This left the evening shorter; so food, fire, and bed.

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