Author Archives: essiep

Underdrawing.

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19°C rain.

Back home, decorating. Some pressure is on, a new heating system is to be fitted next week I’m taking the opportunity to fit column radiators. The old flat radiators are off, leaving the wall exposed for redecoration. Repapering the hallway was easy, the old paper came off easily in large sheets.

A sketch, now under wallpaper.

Preparing the living room was not so easy. It started off without difficulty, the paper peeled away in large sheets. This soon revealed a problem. The plaster has long cracks that criss-cross. I decided to lever off a loose bit. Then a huge sheet fell away.

There is a gap between the sill and the top course of bricks so I injected polyethylene foam. Later the same day, the base coat of plaster was in.

This photo shows the skim coat. It’s not as flat as I’d like but it will be hidden by the new radiator (and under lining paper).

Stormy ride

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19°C, grey, damp and strong wind S. Storm Calum.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3198628102

Needed this ride all day but it was torrential this morning.

Recently, I have used the HDR effect on cycling photos. This one is similar, called ‘Drama’.

I quite enjoy cycling in darkness, more so with my brightest lights. For today, this 200 lumin will suffice. Its beam is narrow and that gives the advantage of reach. The light patch can be aimed further ahead. Modern lights usually offer many different brightness options as well as flashing modes. Combinations across the two headlights suit different conditions. In traffic, I typically have 1 set to flashing mode. Later on, the brightest light is aimed at pothole leave while the other is aimed further ahead. Two identical lamps would not work as well.

Ride home into the sun.

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19°C, sun and breeze S

Commuting ride on the old Arrow. https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3193680025

A fine sunny ride home from work. The ride in this morning was spectacular. Half an hour in, the sun peeped above Rivington hill as it rose. For me, sunrise was a little late because of the height of the hill. I rode along quiet tracks and roads across peaty farmland. Soon the brightness would be a nuisance as I neared work.


Southport is home to large flocks of geese and ducks. They overwinter here in huge numbers and fly a daily commute. I admire them. The town’s dogs bark at them. The barking sweeps over urban areas in waves following the birds.

Night machines

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18°C, clear for a sunset. https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3191847133

Rode Racelite to Tartleton. It’s been warm today but the clear sky will allow that to escape.

Southport Pier.

I’m playing here with my new phone. It has an HDR function built into the camera. I doubt that it’s genuine HDR, more likely a gamut curve rather than merged multiple exposures.

Tonight is also the first time this bike has visited the seaside since I lived in Bristol.

I’m back on.

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11°C dull with soft drizzle.

I rode The Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 25.58km, time: 01:23:00, pace: 3:15min/km, speed: 18.49km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3184165357

That was a whole week of cycling lost to an enigmatic virus. Now I’ve returned to normal, now work can resume on the house. Time is pressing now because the new central heating will be fitted in 2 weeks. Beforehand, I must remove the relevant radiators, strip and replace the wallpaper behind. Most pressing of all, the new radiators should be orderes in good time. I’m going for column radiators in a few key places- the living room, master bedroom and hallway.

The living room radiator is in an annoying place behind the sofa and the master bedroom’s rad is just too small,

Empty legs.

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Sunny and light wind. 16C

I rode Mustang. with MapMyRide+! Distance: 18.82km, time: 57:40, pace: 3:04min/km, speed: 19.58km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3174440920

That was a short ride in the windy sunshine. Outings like these can be refreshing but,this was different. It fekt like running on empty, a portent to a cold probably. I’ll take a few days off the bike and see how it develops.

Awkward route.

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16°C, bright sun and dry.

I rode commute on Mustang with MapMyRide+! Distance: 33.94km, time: 01:37:43, pace: 2:53min/km, speed: 20.84km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3168112006

Before the ride home from work, I looked at Google maps to find an alternative route. Though the ride down Parbold Hill is fun, there is a horrible bottleneck at the bottom. There must be an alternative. There is and I don’t mind a few miles extra if the roads are quiet. The real problem is its complexity, so many turns and each an opportunity for error.

It was these errors that caused problems. First, a tiny single-track lane, next was the busy road through Burscough. Dodging traffic with low sun in you eyes was difficult.

Next time will be better.

Shopping and the green machines.

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15°C, sunny and breeze from S.

I rode Arrow with MapMyRide+! Distance: 20.78km, time: 01:00:40, pace: 2:55min/km, speed: 20.55km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3165767278

I think all of my bikes have been photographed here, except perhaps the Racelite. It was a pleasant enough ride but I still feel a little stretched not on this bike.

The brake levers need changing, there is a lot of play in the levers now. They’re making me nervous now. On the other hand, I’ve only ridden this just over 100 miles this year.

Cool fun in the sun.

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8~14°C, strengthening N, sunny, dry.

I rode Mustang with MapMyRide+! Distance: 81.41km, time: 03:36:37, pace: 2:40min/km, speed: 22.55km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3161714137

I took this shot because of the distant land just left of the pier. At first, I thought it was the Isle of Man. A groups of cyclists on the front said it was Barrow. I think they’re probably right. So, visibility was very good to the north. Snowdonia wasn’t visible to the south west.

Anyway, I had a nice ride. I was prompted on by tagging on with club riders when they overtook. I’d forgotten how much fun club rides are.