We have a heatwave to come. Rumours are of two weeks worth but ten days seems more likely. England has not had hot sunny days in July since 2007. The whole nation seems delighted.
Interestingly, there is a significant number that express a dislike of summer. Perhaps view feel some social pressure to keep quiet about it though, so there could be many people who feel that way.
I am not one.
16°C,
The Ormskirk cycle club write regular diarys for each club run, chain-gang and race. Here’s what they said about Sunday’s ride@
Surprisingly low numbers at the shop this morning, but still 40 odd people there. As the Captain was otherwise detained there was no real plan for A groupers. John Hesketh was leading a fairly large group to Beacon Fell. Alternately Wilko was planning on a run to Scorton, although given the planned return time, there appeared to be few takers. Titch had suggested local Hills part 2. Finally Mark Brownett offered up the Southport run. Decisions made the large B group left, Wilko and Titch combined and headed to what in the end was a pretty speedy ride to Brindle I think. Meanwhile, 8 mixed ability riders, including Mike-an interloper ex of Litchfield City Cycling Club- on a fixed wheel 42-16 and Adam a first timer in group riding with a previous max of <10 miles in his legs, set off to Southport. Mark and Mike lead out via the cricket club, Town Green, passed The Swan and out to the Church on the Southport Road. A left here and out down Punnels Lane, picking up the Formby Cycles road. Straight over at the lights and right turn through Formby, and onto Formby Hall. A ‘comfort break’ was taken by some and then on to the Coast road proper. Kev and Jeff now lead until traffic forced the group to single file until passed the cinema in Southport. The paced upped a little out onward Banks but a general regroupment occurred by Ralph Wife’s Lane. Onwards via Hesketh Bank and Tarleton, out to Croston and Mawdsley. The approach to the cafe was brightened by Mark Brownett and his dodgy knee taking a jump and pushing the pace somewhat. He was however caught at the right turn whereupon Kev shot passed and lead all the way to the cafe despite a little chase. Coffee was taken, the A group riders already at the cafe. Tour discussed. And back as one over Hoscar moss. Charlotte left at the Ring O Bells, to get her bag packed for Ibiza tomorrow- watch out Ministry of Sound! The Dark Lane Drag resulted in a little tussle, Cameron jumping early, although I suspect Kev or Wilko got there first! Good well paced and directed ride 50 miles for me, 16.7mph average and very nice it was too. Credit to Adam for cycling further than he’d ever done before and Mike for getting round on a fixed wheel- although he bounced around down the coast road pedalling at 120 rpm….. See you in a couple of weeks — at work next Sunday!
The low rolling section in the middle is the Southport coast road.
17°C; SW wind, brisk, dry. Club ride, tracked with MapMyRide! Distance: 53.14mi, time: 03:08:30, speed: 16.9mi/h. http://mapmyride.com/workout/315175737 
They are a likeable club, none of the cliquishness that mar other clubs. Some guys were bemused by me spinning madly on the Southport sea-front stretch where we rode at 22mph and I had a 42×16 gear. A little app tells me that a pace like that is 138rpm. I kept the pace well enough. They stated that the average should be 17mph before we set off and my GPS app put the average within 0.1mph of that; not bad! Also, not bad- riding in a tight group on fixed was quite a success. Sitting close on a wheel was easier with control via the transmission rather than touching brakes and blipping on pedals alternately. Easier, more accurate and ultimately, more efficient.
14°C, windy pollenated air.
My other half is a poodle and she gets extended walks on some days. Sometimes I wander around a labyrinthine settlement nearby where pagan animal rituals are performed when decent folk are locked away.
Nobody really knows the meaning of these carvings, though some claim that they move when nobody is looking.
I have doubts.
17°C, light cloud,
Evening ride Distance: 42.47mi, time: 02:46:53,
http://mapmyride.com/workout/311632357
3,150 calories. If I total up the two commuting rides today, that makes 62.4 miles. A good round number, 100km.
This picture is from the morning commute. I pass this field every day and it looks its best right now. Poppy seems to be associated with rape around here.
14C, heavy showers, windy.
Clearing the room for the second lodger. There is a decade’s worth of stuff in there. The back of the cupboards have revealed trinkets from the early 90s. This that old are interesting even when it’s just a receipt. I remember the first time I decorated that room, there was newspaper used to line a panel that what published in 1958.
A chunk of my life is laid out in this house.
The biggest job was, though, to move the telephone point. I want it next to the computer and router, not in a lodger’s room. That took five hours and it’s still not quite done.
Anyway, a trip to the dump will clear the clutter.
22°C, foggy yet morning, now blazing.
Last year I was delighted to find a swarm of honey bees in the eaves. This year, we have bumble-bees living in the house. They are orange-tails, nesting in nearly the same place. It prompts a question- how do I go about repairing that part of the roof. The insects have not caused any damage, its just wear and tear to the facia and soffits. The standard way to repair them is to fit uPVC boards. What I want is a repair that does not prevent interesting wildlife getting on with their lives.
16°C, fog, very damp.
Ikea- lights are more and more LEDs. I picked up two of these for the kitchen. They are spot-lights to illuminate the cooler and the sink. This is very mundane and domestic, but I am very impressed. View are brighter than the 40W equivalents that they replace. There is little of the flicker that affects compact fluorescent atlas that I so dislike. There are possibly good dough to read by and only use 8 watts.
Rated at 400lm, which is a unit I have to get used to. It’s bright enough with a warmish colour that tints towards sink at the edges.
18°C,dry later.
A record, on the morning commute, I counted four drivers texting (or using apps) as they drove. Another held a clip-board on the steering wheel to read as he drove. It started this morning because the first car was weaving as I tried to pass. The girl driving balanced a big phone, like a Galaxy, on her steering wheel. Without thinking, I tapped on the window and waved a phone shard with my hand. I only hope she was alert enough to wake out of her stupor.
16°C, fresh but dry.
I have ridden this route to. Oslo for ten years now. In that time, you get to know every pot-hole and other lines of hazard. In recent weeks, I have noticed the number of drivers texting at the wheel. This is probably the biggest threat to my life, texters are bigger killers than drunk-drivers, say statistics.
Today, a young woman was weaving a bit in her dark hatch-back on the approach to a roundabout. That makes of more cautious when overtaking. I was right to be alerted- she was painting her eyes in the reflection in the sun-visor. She hat a pot with a tiny brush to dab her eyes, or eyelashes, or something. I glared in silence then she quickly put the kit down.
She would look better without anyway.
Micycle 