18°C, light S wind, white cloud.
Rode Racelite8, with MapMyRide+! Distance: 31.03mi, time: 02:00:54, pace: 3:54min/mi, speed: 15.40mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/782130709
Amazing to be in shorts the last day before November. In fact, on this ride, I was too warm. Each time I go out, it’s on the presumption that it’s the last outing on the race bike. I like that bike so much more since changing the wheels.
Look! My garden fence is getting in the mood for Halloween.
Take the load off your feet: how to deal with achilles tendinopathy
http://gu.com/p/42nm9
Interesting, although it is written for runners. The symptoms reflect my experience over the last few years. I experience stiffness when I get up, from sleep or long periods of sitting. Doctor can I have a note excusing me from marking?
I do various exercises to build load bearing limit in my calfs, as instructed by the physio.
Winter has worsened it over the last two years. Perhaps the cold mimics the same mechanism as sitting still- circulation.
16°C, brisk SW. Dry and grey.
Half-term break: is a time to clean up. It’s only been two weeks since the lodger moved out, but I am in the process of discovering problems he left behind. Rug Doctor is a carpet shampoo machine which I have rented to clean the his room as well as others. There are wine stains and other spilt drinks; some on the mattress. They cleaned up remarkably well.
I have am idea for the staircases – stripey carpets. Then, in each room, it’s possible to put replacement carpets that match one of the stripe colours.
Never again will I allow a lodger to keep a pet. His lizards ran up the electricity bill and the rabbit made the room stink (plus a damaged patch on the carpet).
13°C, white cloud, SW 4,
Distance: 60.50mi, time: 04:13:39, pace: 4:12min/mi, speed: 14.31mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/776992287
Ages since I last rode up the Chase. This forestry land gap many sharp hills and sweeping, fast descents. I stopped at the cafe by the visitor’s centre. It was busy, but with so many staff, the wait was not too long.
There are endless possibilities on the Chase. I saw loads of bridle paths and other marked cycle routes. Most looked ideal for adventures on a cyclo-cross bike. Sadly, the bike shop by the cafe had nothing promising they are dealers for Giant. Giant’s cross bikes are too small for me.
The comms tower appears to be under demolition.
12°C, brisk SW. Dry but grey.
Quite fancy a ride in the woods today. That would be ideal, ride up to Cannock Chase. Ride in the woods for an hour, then finish in the cafe. Only one thing stopping me- the bike.
What about one of these?
That is the Kona Jake. Supplied with chunky tyres, disk brakes and am aluminium frame. The only caveat is that it weighs no less than my other bikes. If I am to spend all that money, it could be under 10kg. But that’s not a main priority: fit, strength and stiffness come before.
There are plenty of places to ride here, bridal paths, Cannock Chase and canals. I am quite thrilled on reading the local map.
And another thing, I miss my country air. Either I need a CX bike, or…
.a dog.
12°C, SW breeze, dry, 4/5 cloud.
Feels like we just did a full term. Eight weeks. Eight week’s worth of tiredness, the feeling that a cold is coming on but you can’t be sure. I therefore, give myself permission to have a lazy day, I shall do nothing.
Earlier in the term, I decided to get a cyclo-cross bike to use as a commuter and winter Sunday side.
I gave the local shop an informal deadline – when the clocks change. That’s tomorrow!
I am no closer to buying a new bike. The Raleigh has fallen through, they are not importing the largest frame size. Back to the Kona then?
Fixed Gear ride MapMyRide+! Distance: 35.49mi, time: 02:33:45, pace: 4:20min/mi, speed: 13.85mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/769929141
Slow ride in brisk wind even with the lower gear. At least I swapped the winter wheels over which have a 17t cog. The return stretch would have been dreadful in that wind.
Sunny but cold start. 7~13°C, light wind.
Cycle: rode fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 57.6mi, time: 03:37:03, pace: 3:46min/mi, speed: 15.92mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/763041455
Feeling back to normal stop grumbling.
13°C later, after a chilly start. SE4, dry.
Fixed, tracked with MapMyRide+! Distance: 41.25mi, time: 02:35:00, pace: 3:45min/mi, speed: 15.97mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/755680611
Avoided the worst hills and rode a steady pace. Nothing remarkable then.
weight is back where it should be at this time of year, 14stone 8lbs.
Micycle 