2°C, drizzle/sleet. Light grey and strengthening easterly wind.
Not that bad here.
Annual 1st quater target = met. That was the main reason for this ride though I have over a week before equinox (my self imposed deadline). We’re under Yellow Warning for snow, but there’s none.
Better get some miles in. We’re expecting cold wintery weather this coming week. There may be snow. It’s only a few weeks to equinox and I’d like 1,000 miles by then. After this, I have 20 miles to go.
Tendonitis is still a problem. It clears and returns unpredictably. Cycling seems to help leading the stiffness reduced after a ride. Some days, but still limp.
Out today on the Arrow. This bike needs a bit of work soon. Mudguards are rubbing and the shifters are worn. Still, the gear change is good. There are rust spots on the frame below the top-tube.
The rude was okay considering that the Achilles is still sore. I stopped a few times to massage and stretch. It was, though, nice to finish in warm sunny weather.
This is unfamiliar, those large jockey wheels and new adjustments to make. There’s even a clutch intended to make setup easier. The promise was realised to some extent.
Not long after this shit I rode towards the firing range and went over some thin branches. One got caught in the rear wheel. It bent the rear derailleur and pushed it into the spokes. The chain was looped and the cage turned more than 90° rendering the bike unrideable
Ruined.
With some convoluted bending, I got the bike ready to coast back to the carpark. Fortunately we is was mostly downhill. So that’s what I did.
Back at the car, I got dressed and packed the bike. Getting dressed outdoors can be tricky. The sun was out in full winter force. Besides. There is a good bike shop on Milford Common so there I went.
I got a replacement mech and asked about changing robes. They are an oversized smock to use on the beach to get dressed in decency. I bought one.
Arrow: 7°C, grey with sun at the end. Building W. Dry.
It’s been a troublesome week with my Achilles tendonitis. Today is noticeably freer. I still can’t and daren’t push hard so the average speed is low. There were lots of club rides out and the café was packed. There was a tandem club there from, I believe, Bury.
Raleigh Mustang, 6°C, brisk W, showers becoming more frequent.
Drama in the sky.
The Mustang is in its element. The only fine tuning would, ideally be to move the saddle back an inch. Anyway, it’s running nicely and feels good with these CX tyres. The Speedo still does not connect to the wheel sensor, even with its new battery.
I’m actually enjoying riding the Mustang again. The difference is a change of to tyres, now it has Schwalbe CX 30s instead of Marathon+s. I hate those tyres, they’re horrible to ride on as well as heavy and slow. CXs are ideal for January, they’re quick enough and not phased by gravelly stretches.
The Mustang is a much nicer ride with Schwalbe CX tyres than Marathon+. They’re slightly knobbly but make an aidea tread for January. I got rained on for a while but look at the drama in that sky.