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Ten mile puncture.

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I rode Fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 57.29mi, time: 03:59:47, pace: 4:11min/mi, speed: 14.33mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/802155773
Marred by a slow puncture for the last ten miles. In Parbold, the type started a swishing sound. I didn’t even realise what caused it, even a leaf caught in the mud-guard seemed possible. With a stiff back, I elected to top up the pressure rather than take the wheel apart roadside.
Punctures are annoying at the best of times, but I planned to change that tyre. For two weeks, I drove north without the new puncture-proof tyre. Dammit!

Warm, really?

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18°C, light S wind, white cloud.

Rode Racelite8, with MapMyRide+! Distance: 31.03mi, time: 02:00:54, pace: 3:54min/mi, speed: 15.40mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/782130709
Amazing to be in shorts the last day before November. In fact, on this ride, I was too warm. Each time I go out, it’s on the presumption that it’s the last outing on the race bike. I like that bike so much more since changing the wheels.
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Look! My garden fence is getting in the mood for Halloween.

Half term break.

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12°C, SW breeze, dry, 4/5 cloud.
Feels like we just did a full term. Eight weeks. Eight week’s worth of tiredness, the feeling that a cold is coming on but you can’t be sure. I therefore, give myself permission to have a lazy day, I shall do nothing.

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Earlier in the term, I decided to get a cyclo-cross bike to use as a commuter and winter Sunday side.
I gave the local shop an informal deadline – when the clocks change. That’s tomorrow!

I am no closer to buying a new bike. The Raleigh has fallen through, they are not importing the largest frame size. Back to the Kona then?

Sunday

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Grey start, 19°C, grey and light W2.
I rode Fixed 16. MapMyRide+! Distance: 35.04mi, time: 02:11:08, pace: 3:45min/mi, speed: 16.03mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/748158951
I had the fizz in my legs which felt great. Split speeds were good enough, a few mph down, that’s all. Afterwards though, my legs were jelly.

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Old sketch from many years ago. My new phone’s camera is able to focus well enough for little drawings.

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Chernobyl Diaries

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Sat. 18°C,
Film- Chernobyl Diaries; a shock-horror film set in Pripyat, Ukraine. As you know, it’s the site of the Chernobyl disaster in the 1980s. The film makers have exploited the eerie atmosphere of that abandoned city and joined the genre of films like The Hills Have Eyes. The film would like you to to sit on the edge of your seat and jump frequently.
The story raises several points of note. The six characters soon break apart as a team under stress after the van is damaged. That leads to their eventual demise. My thoughts followed what could happen if they had cooperated. I suppose that’s the role filled by fan fiction. The genre requires elevated tension, fear and shocks. The characters behaved in panic at times, no calm under pressure.
There were some problems with continuity too: the reactor building featured, but it had three cooling towers, the real one has none.

Do you want a recommendation? If you have seen nothing of this genre, then you could tick off with this one. If you have though, you would probably share the criticisms held by others online. That is, there are better examples out there.

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Tried too much?

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19C, showers, some heavy.
Break camp at Oban and head towards Glen Coe. The road along Glen Orchy is single-track through Caledonian temperate rainforest. Each tree is decorated with feathery lichens, any rocks were coated in thick velvety moss. These places are rare now, but still, the magic is there.

I was looking for a hike, the rain wasn’t so bad, more drizzle by now. But I failed after making friends with some pigs. So, drove on to The Bridge Of Orchy and decided on the climb on the opposite side- Beinn Dorian. At 1076m, it is about the same height as Snowdon. The top was in cloud and so was the approach along a ridge. It’s a shame because the view would get been stunning.

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You have to watch out for the false summit. The real one is at the second cairn.
Rain has been the big problem today, I took the tent down is rain and later, put it back up in an even heavier downpour, and it was dark.
Everything ran too late today, I got back to the car at about 8.45.
That screwed the plan to have a pub meal near the campsite, view stopped serving at 9.00.
So I cooked in rain too.

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Less than good.

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24C, evening sun, NW wind.
Hire bike– took it out for a spin to check it out for fit and adjust.
Not a successful ride- at about 4 miles out, both tyres punctured. The front went flat quickly, the back waited until I finished fixing the first. Good that the cycle-hire have me 2 tubes and a folding tyre. I needed both.
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The pump supplied was not good enough to get these tyres up to a safe pressure.

Two punctures and a nervous ride back did not make for confidence for tomorrow. I want to do a big ride inland and make a day of it. I hope all will be well.
Tracked with MapMyRide! Distance: 11.96mi, time: 48:51, pace: 4:05min/mi, speed: 14.69mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/664553703

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Try a ride today.

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14°C, light showers later. No rides for over a week now. That cold turned into a bit of a chest infection. Typical After vast amounts of sleep, I will try to shift the remains of this cough with a short ride.

later: Rode Fixed-Distance: 19.27mi, time: 01:13:23, pace: 3:48min/mi, speed: 15.8mi/h. http://mapmyride.com/workout/582229249 image
Also, called in on Formby Cycles to oggle at the carbon racing bikes. There are quite a few at reduced prices that feel as though they weigh nothing. Be careful when you pick one up, they are so light you might fling them across the shop.

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