10-20C later. Sunny.
I have a cold in my ankle. It works like this: sticky throat and gravel voice, but the problem tendon flared up during the afternoon yesterday. I definitely have a fairly normal cold, but what is the link with limb joints? Are there similar membranes to those in the throat?
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15C, sunny, wind has dropped.
Rode: 36 miles today. Things have changed this year. I ride more on work nights, but the usual surge of energy and enthusiasm has not taken over this time. Something has changed and I am feeling for what it may be.
Rosie leaving still seems the most likely reason. Annoyingly, I can’t be sure. The house feels wrong without a dog. There is no curious wet nose pressing at the gap as I open the door to come in. No-one to think of as I potter about the house, no daily visit to the local field. I don’t know how the juvenile oak tree getting on in the spring light.
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15C, strong W. Many showers.
Cycle, Racelite-8, Distance: 41.41mi, time: 02:49:30, pace: 4:06min/mi, speed: 14.66mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/565813479
First ride on new wheels. Even in the first few miles, it was obvious they are lighter. Most striking is the quicker acceleration. Stiffness was reasonable, though some flex showed while climbing. I have yet to find a wheel that does not rub the rear brakes when I am out the saddle.
These Aksium wheels feel better than the previous Campagnolo pair.
The rims are slightly deeper but I noticed no pulling in today’s strong cross wind.
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Cycle fixed: Distance: 55.6mi, time: 03:27:33, pace: 3:44min/mi, speed: 16.1mi/h. On 42×16.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/557777869
On low rolling lands and light wind you can find perfect single-speed bike conditions. Even the hills don’t seem as intimidating as on a windy day.
Tendonitus flared up yesterday during a long drive. It does seem to get aggravated by long periods of sitting still. Three and a half hours of cycling has soothed most of it away. Odd how that happens.
This Laburnum at work is in full bloom, whereas mine at home shows no yellow at all. Perhaps view are different varieties. I know not.
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3C, sunny and still.
Been shopping? For the first time in about 20 years, I have bought a new pair of wheels for a racing bike. Previously, all the wheels I have, were built using hubs with replacement rims. Sometimes, the bearings needed renewing, sometimes just packing with grease. They can be re-used many times so the layout cost can be spread over a decade.
The bike is quite old with its 8-speed cassette. So. I may have to fiddle with this wheel set which was designed for 11-speed gears. The local bike shop said they will work with 8-speed using two spacer washers.
They are Mavic Aksium wheels. This rear hub is laced with 20 spokes, straight laced on the left, and 2-cross on the right. The front is all straight laced. Each spoke is a flat blade with no bend, which is the point where they might break. I tend to break spokes.
The pair feel light to me and ring clearly when tapped. That should mean they are well built.
More later, I can’t fit them today anyway.
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Unexpected frost.2C
It’s home- after a service. After many years, the record deck did not need that much work during the service. It had the usual replacement springs and grommits, but not much else was necessary. I have always looked after it.
Sound Cynergy in Aldridge did a nice job, I’m listening as I write.
In Hifi terms, the sound is sharper, more vivid and focussed. Perhaps I will feel encouraged to play more LPs in future instead of CDs. A lot of modern releases are on heavy, good quality vinyl. But view cost more, often £20 for a single album.
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15ºC, light wind but heavy rains.
The BBC have posted a Magazine article that hits the spot. It’s worth sharing here because i can relate to it so well. I don’t go out in all night walks, but do value the very long outing. Also it’s important to ignore your phone and don’t listen to music as you go.
A the heart of this for me is thinking time. The effect is the same while cycling alone, it’s time to chew over thoughts in your head as the miles wheel by.
Do take the time to read it.
Bought a map of Assynt in the far north west Scotland. In the contours and other symbols, there promises a strange landscape with that one steep hump dominating.
The remoteness means a long walk in, probably totalling 25 miles for the day.
At least this week’s walk in the Carneddeau proves that my stamina is adequate.
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12,cloudy, strong westerly.
Breakfast was a cooked English at the Pinnacle Cafe in Capel Curig. There, I decided on the plan for the day. The rain promised did not show this morning, so I chose the more ambitious idea. I would climb Carnedd Llewellyn and return by the back route. That rather brief label hides the long trek back along two lakes and a lengthy descent down marshy grasslands.
The track that runs along this lake has streams and puddles with black dots in the more stable ones. Though late and light was fading, I stopped to stir with a finger to sate my curiosity. They were tadpoles. A cute sight, but I suppose they may only last a short time; not because the puddles would dry up- this is Wales. I fear for them if a bird were to discover them wriggling in the water.
The final stage of the walk was along a water channel in increasing rain. By now, I was certainly tired. Once at camp, I measured out the route which revealed the surprising figure of 22 miles.
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6~14C, S brisk, clear.
Thirty years ago I first set eyes on this mountain. That was a Youth Hosteling trip with my brother on cheap, unreliable bikes. The day we arrived was warm sunshine and we both got sunburnt. The second day it rained heavily and a landslide closed the main road. We were, therefore stuck here a few days. In all of this, Tryfan stuck in my mind. It looked ominous those days. It looks like a clenched fist on the valley side.
Today, I climbed it. I took the Heather Terrace route on the east face. Conditions were perfect but it was three hours climbing.
The title- bimble is a new word to me. They use it here to mean an easy walk, like amble, stroll, plod and all the rest. Clearly, there is a need for a word with a comedy tone.
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Micycle 