Raleigh Mustang, 6°C, brisk W, showers becoming more frequent.
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.
Mustang, 9°C, mixed sun, v strong SW.
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.
11mph average! Blame the wind not me.
9°C, sun and a medium shower, medium S.
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.
12°C, moderate SW, dry later and warmer.
I started out with all these plans to do a loop approaching Preston but the drizzle turned to proper rain so I dove into my favourite café. The afternoon was far better and more mild at 12C.
The Mustang has Schwalbe CX 30c tyres which are actually rather good for January. I was too lazy to repair the puncture on the Marathon+ tyre.
6°C, light W, cold but clear and dry (mostly).
Set out in a morning of sun with a grey cloud looming. The forecast promised 0% chance of rain but there it was. A small cloud but slow moving. I turned back home to get a better raincoat. The rain was slow enough to stay in for lunch and then go back out. The rest of the day was very good. Also, I used the green machines.
8°C, sunny with light SE.
I’m still struggling with the bursitis (Achilles). The ankle stiffens up and can feel quite sharp. After a short break, it does loosen up. I have to concentrate on an even pressure on each leg.
9°C, light breeze with drizzle and bouts of heavier rain.
Passed this large glasshouse in Banks. Look at the strange neon magenta glow.
End of year: later I’ll add the annual milage to the end of this page.
Annual Summary: below
Arrow, 9°C, brisk Southerly, dry until the last few miles.
Rode out to a park that’s new to me in Birkdale.
There are a reasonable variety of machines in a useful place. The one pictured (right) has a much lighter leverage than others in Sefton. And the pull-down machine is absent. 3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐ Would use again, recommended.
8°C, milky sun and strong southwest wind.
Grabbed the Mustang gravel bike for a ride and it came out with a puncture. So much for I destructible Marathon + tyres. I may have hit something on last night’s ride in the dark.
Instead, I went out on the Jake CX. Then had another problem. The rear tyre went down after 6 miles. It’s got a Slime self sealing tube to I stopped to re-inflate it. The pressure held but was rather low. I struggle to get it firmer than 40psi (which is a bit low for my weight). Remarkably, the pressure held. For the next ten miles. They keep a stirrup pump in the cafe so I bumped it up to 70psi. It stayed so the ride was back to normal.
However, the return was into a growing gale. There were gusts up to 40mph and I crawled along at 8mph. Nonetheless, the sun still shone.
8°C, moderate S, dry but damp.
It’s tough riding into the wind for long periods on a single-speed. The muscle burn builds up and slows you down.
Micycle 