Author Archives: essiep

Ten mile puncture.

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I rode Fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 57.29mi, time: 03:59:47, pace: 4:11min/mi, speed: 14.33mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/802155773
Marred by a slow puncture for the last ten miles. In Parbold, the type started a swishing sound. I didn’t even realise what caused it, even a leaf caught in the mud-guard seemed possible. With a stiff back, I elected to top up the pressure rather than take the wheel apart roadside.
Punctures are annoying at the best of times, but I planned to change that tyre. For two weeks, I drove north without the new puncture-proof tyre. Dammit!

Barn Owl.

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9C, light SE dry and white cloud.
Commute trade with MapMyRide+! Distance: 29.31mi, time: 02:02:21, pace: 4:10min/mi, speed: 14.38mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/798651481
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Extended ride across the Tame valley. Near the river, well away from any lights apart from my own I saw a shape above. It could have been a reflection in the rim of my glasses but it wasn’t. Flapping slowly and more notably- in utter silence. A Barn Owl was flying across my path to the east. Wonderful.

Away from the big hill.

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12°C, no real wind, but some NE, dry
I rode single-speed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 47.85mi, time: 03:02:27, pace: 3:49min/mi, speed: 15.74mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/796848735
Once up to speed, the winter wheels aren’t too slow. But, under acceleration, hill climbing or out of the saddle it is obviously heavy. Out of the saddle, throwing the bars side to side was nowhere as free as before. Still, the outing was fun despite me shying away from Bannister Hill.

Carpet.

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11°C, strong southerly,
Carpet fitters can only come to your house during work hours. Luckily, we had the afternoon off in lieu of presentation evening. They cut it fine though. I expected them at 1pm, but it was 3.30 before they arrived. It’s not perfect either, there is one edge that’s not straight. Nevermind, it’s done now.

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If I’d known, then I could have spent more time finalising reports at work, or extended the bike ride home in the gusty wind.

Is there a word for this?

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10°C, light wind and some rain.
What is the word for the times when you clean out some empty bags from your locker and you find a pack of gorgeous chocolate?
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This bar is a little known gem. Far better taste than equivalent bar from up-market shops. Here is one little pleasure that punctuates my day.

Two weeks, what’s the plan?

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9°C, mostly dry.
Two weeks until my 50th birthday. So how best to mark the occasion? Best idea so far- do one activity each month for the year. Taster days, like the velodrome in Manchester, a training course at Plas Y Brenin near Capel Curig in Snowdonia.
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This is the Raleigh cross bike. The top tube is almost level which makes it easier to shoulder. I don’t like the outboard rear brake. Besides that, the frame should be good, the wheels even better.

Autumn sun.

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Rode Arrow, tracked with MapMyRide+! Distance: 55.04mi, time: 03:45:58, pace: 4:06min/mi, speed: 14.61mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/790175641
The bike felt good, despite the heavy winter wheels. Everything ran smoothly, but it was a heavy load to winch up those hills.
Today had bul the vital ingredients, that feeling of one with the machine, fine weather and fitness. Never mind that the average speed was low.
Web research suggests that I may not get a new bike until near the end of the year. The 2014 range gap sold out of the largest frames and the 2015 bikes aren’t available yet. Trek is a name I haven’t looked at seriously yet. The new ranges often feature a black colour scheme.
Below is the River Tame in flood. This loop near Elford floods easily.
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