
That was a good ride. I say that because I’ve had a winter of interruptions that have cost me fitness.

That was a good ride. I say that because I’ve had a winter of interruptions that have cost me fitness.
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.
Arrow, 6°C, brisk SSW, storm brewing.

That felt hard. The average speed is a dismal 11mph. I’m heavy on a heavy bike. I chose a sheltered route back to minimise the headwind. Still, the figures are disappointing.
The Arrow is nearly 30 years old and is showing signs.
Usually a bike ride, but this year a swim. In total, it’s a mile (with 2 more laps in case of a miscount). This term, swimming has been a regular twice weekly at the pool near to work.

Cycling has added up to 4,231 miles.

A longer ride today in fair weather. It’s a little above average for December.
7°C, light NE, clear and dark.

I screwed up today by forgetting my swimming kit. Most Tuesdays, I swim near work before going home. There’s a respite in the weather though, so I drove home and got on the bike. Conditions were good and the ride lasted an hour and a half. Much further and the lights’ battery life is less certain.
10°C, v strong westwind. Rain to return.

A brief show of sunshine changed my plan this afternoon. I was setting up to do some wallpapering but an unexpected spell of dry presented itself. I’ve barely ridden this last few weeks, all the while it’s been either cold and icy or heavy rain.
Grey, wet and rain, 4°C & light N.
November is usually thoroughly miserable, it’s the wettest month here and rapidly darkens towards our shortest day.

I’ve been regularly swimming this last month. Usually for about 45′ after work at the Uni.
11C, fresh but bright. Getting sunny, light SE breeze.

I’ve been too ill to ride this week. I’ve not even walked to the outdoor gym. I don’t know what it was but I had no energy and many, many sleeps, I barely went out.
Anyway, out I’ve been. This actually may be the last ride on this bike this year. There were several places where my narrow, smooth 25c tyres precariously rolled over compacted black mud. One of them while being closely tailgated by an impatient car.
17°C, light rain and sunny bits.

Mustang; well chosen bike for the muddy sections although it’s a slow ride. The only problem is my foot still hurts. It’s not my Achilles now, more the ligaments on top of my smaller toes. Unlike the tendon pain, it doesn’t ease after a break. I don’t get what’s going on.

Besides, there were good rainbows on the way back. Not only double, but they overlaid Infront of hedges. We’re used to them standing on the horizon, but not today.
Another notable: in one village, the traffic in front was held up and weaving. Soon the cause came into view. Peahens were wandering about in the road. It seems they were trying to cross. Soi got off and shoed them over to release the waiting traffic. Then they waddled over to other birds in a small estate. Problem solved.