Mustang, 15°C, moderate SE wind. Light cloud & dry.
Lots of miles this week, over 140 miles.
November, week 1.
Reply
Category Archives: Gravel
Warm November.
15°C, grey, dry & warm. There’s a brisk S wind from the Azores.
Mustang, I’ve taken the rack off and was surprised how much it weighs. I’d swear that the bike rides lighter now. Anyway, I had a very nice ride despite the dull sky.
It had everything today, muddy lanes, fast open lanes, steep climbs & a section of canal towpath.
I enjoyed that ride thoroughly. Right to the end, I had plenty of energy but daylight was running out as was the charge in my front light. Just 100m from home, the light went out.
Rain.
11°C, brisk NW, rain getting heavier.
Three days since the last ride, and despite the weather, I went anyway. The Mustang rides well although quite heavy. It feels light at the front, quite racy really.
Grim winter.
11°C, light S wind, bright going out but rain to return.
I haven’t ridden much this week so used a big chunk of daylight. However, the pace felt comfortable (despite some ligament soreness). The best highlight was a 1km canal section. The rain got worse as I arrived home.
Ride after work.
8°C, light SW, dry with hail threatening.
2023: 1,004.3 miles
2°C, drizzle/sleet. Light grey and strengthening easterly wind.
Annual 1st quater target = met. That was the main reason for this ride though I have over a week before equinox (my self imposed deadline). We’re under Yellow Warning for snow, but there’s none.
January Gales.
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.
Winter rainbow.
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.
Down the ditch.
Tarleton ditch: I took a bridle path towards Tarleton to get off the main road. Immediately after passing three folks, my rear wheel skipped. That tipped me off, the bike fell flat and I rolled down an embankment in the rushes. No harm done. I bet they weren’t expecting that. The youngest was walking on her phone but she hadn’t filmed it. I asked.
Banks Birdshot: on riding along the edge of RSPB by Gorse Derry, I could hear gunshots. A cloud of birds took off in front and more shots sounded out. Then the clatter of pellets swept across the grass. Some of them hit me.
Slow commute
8-3°C, ice on Sollom Bridge. Clear sky, sun in my eyes but dry. No wind
The Raleigh Mustang feels so heavy and slow. My other regular ride bikes are not like this. Yesterday, I whizzed along at an enjoyable pace on the race bike. It’s not my legs, the bike is the problem. Maybe I’ll try riding in on the cross (Jake) before I fit the winter tyres, as an experiment.
Micycle 