5°C, grey & no real wind
Good enough for rides to work, barely any ice and all this is a rut the skies are stuck in. Will the half term really be that wet?
five degrees
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Author Archives: essiep
Amores Perros
Wind howling down the chimney, I can see rain out there.
RottenTomatoes, they cover much of what’s to be said about this. My impression? Violent, reasonably well shot, long, but I missed a character that I could like. Perhaps there was one or two, but even so, the lead men left me wishing something bad would happen to them. But hold on, something does!
Now for some peaceful gardening- A peony, and 4 others in a bag that means I can’t remember which is which. Each is just a muddy rootball wrapped in plastic. I dunno.
We’re emerging.
10°C, sunny/ 48 miles
The garden awakes from its slumber, the sun is uninterrupted & the air warm. Better ride then, before cold air & rain of tomorrow arrives. We’re emerging from that cloying stigian darkness.
How delightful to get out on the bike, it’s been too long. Normally, I get 1,000 miles done by Easter, but that looks doubtful this year. It’s more important I know, to get fit but the mileage is a some sort of measure of this.
A principle?
8°C, drizzle
Parliament is arguing over Prisoners’ right to vote BBC. It seems to be emotive stuff for some, but not I. I just don’t see what difference it makes either way. Apparently, few prisoners vote anyway- they are largely apolitical, as groups of people go. Perhaps I shouldn’t forget that new class of prisoners- the corrupt MPs. Should they vote- I’d say no. the prisoners are quite excited by this story, there is talk of them receiving compensation for their violation of human rights (under the UDHR). No wonder they’re excited, they’re in for some free money (villans like that).
Maybe will ride tomorrow, okay I care about something. It’s been a few weeks since I rode to work, and the physiotherapy is not exactly easy. I was hugely relieved when they said I should continue with normal exercise- but I have to add some daily heel-ups to strengthen my tendons.
Domestic: this halves the time to takes to clean this house. Cylinder vacuums are good at getting dust out, but the dog-hair clings like velcro. Hope it lasts a reasonable amount of time.
Mr Crud
7°C, heavy rain
The heavens have opened, and stayed open. That cold has largely gone, at least enough to make riding the bike appealing; if only the rain would stop.
Mr Crud mudguards are fiddly to fit. There are lots of components to screw together with tiny thumbscrews and it all seems a bit flimsy. It is light though and as long as it’s aligned, they should be almost unnoticeable.
LATER: 40 miles ride and another puncture. That’s the last time i ride on a cycle-track. The 17 tooth cog seems about right, though nothing is right in today’s wind.
Crime maps
+10°C, WEW light & thin cloud.
The Police’s crime map site promises to tell you about crime in your local area. the website is overloaded right now, probably because it was featured on BBC news. There are thousands of idle people attempting to elevate their fear of crime because they don’t have enough to worry about.
…or something.
physiogoodness
+2°C, cold last night but improving this week
Physio appointment: Good- I don’t have to stop cycling; good- I don’t need drug treatment; good, exercises to heal the tendon strength. The sort of diagnosis that I have faith in. It needs 3 sets of 20 heel-raises a day. Those press-ups & crunches are neglecting my legs. I suppose with an ankle injury that there is some compensation going on that leaves the supporting muscles weaker.
Virus
+4° to –2°C, dry.
Don’t think I will make it tomorrow. I’ve had a shivery night and a vacuous, listless day. Not made any posts in a short while, but can easily blame pre-viral syndrome. Spring is coming though, there are buds out there.
Change gear
Southport Pier (Photo credit: Steve’s Wildlife)
6°C, light winds light cloud
To change gear, you have to flick a lever, or twist a grip. If you have a fixed, however, you have to ride to the nearest bike shop and buy the new gear that you want. I want a 17 tooth for mine, the 16t that came with it is certainly too tall. Even on almost flat ground, it feels as if I’m grinding the pedals too slowly. Today I rode through Southport, with almost still air on almost flat roads. Formby cycles didn’t have the right sprocket in stock.
Again, the ride was relatively short at only 33 miles, but my legs felt as if they’d had a real workout, probably because there is almost no coasting on a fixed. You can tell that I really like this bike, I don’t mind (for once) that it’s something ‘trendy’, that means there are lots in the shops. Good for me and good for the fashion victims.
Week’s riding
4°C, getting frosty again.
High pressure means dry but getting colder this week. So, I’m trying to grab as many miles as I can before the weather decides to call a halt. Journey times are getting better, less than 1hr 20′ round trip to work again. that first week back was shameful.
Micycle 