18°C, light SW. some rain.
These 50 mile rides are definitely getting easier. I painted all morning while the rain poured.
This time, I took the hills from Ecclestone and descended Bannister just touching 40mph. There was no cafe stop but I did stock up on calories at a garage. Today, I rode the 900th mile on this bike, there is no sign of wear in the chain. Also, after checking the age of the wheels – 2014, 6 years! No sign of wear there either; not the bearings nor the brake surfaces.
A grand day out! Firstly, headed north along the farmland by the R Ribble. For miles and miles it was under a few inches of water. This low lying, flat land is only 6m above sea level, he water can’t drain anywhere. So far, it has stood there for two days. Humidity is very high and afternoons are punctuated by thunderstorms.
Further towards Penworthan, I checked out the Ribble Way, a potential gravel route. Then to Stoney lane near Parbold and a fast descent of Bannister Land. I touched 43mph. Next a coffee stop. The bit on the map in Formby was a second cafe stop where I met the other half. By the time I got home was almost 70 miles in all.
17°C, light W, sunny.
That felt easy after yesterday’s slog. This route has several long straights where you can settle into a pace with effort. Below a threshold, it felt easy but step up and muscle burn builds up.
17°C, light SW, bright & dry.
Rode the Arrow round the back of Astbury Monument for some hill intervals. This bike is showing its age (26 years) but the repairs it needs are minor (a new chain and some creaking sounds).
17°C, white cloud, light SW, dry.
Rode the 500th mile on the Zing. That went by quickly. Another 500 and it will need a new chain.
This is only the 2nd ride this week with other exercise taken up with 3 days walking. The total calorie count is, therefore – high. I’m still not losing any weight though.
16°C, W wind, strong still. Drying out.
16°C, strong W, gusts 40mph+, dry though.
The cafes are reopening. I went to my favourite, the Velo Café at Twin Lakes just as they were closing up. John let me in for an espresso.
15°C, strong WSW but mostly dry. 40+mph gusts. Rather grey.
What a miserable morning! We’ve has 3 days of rain which left me with so much pent up energy in my legs. This ride cleared it.
The Speedo didn’t wake up today. It has a remote sensor on the fork that sends a signal to the unit via a radio link, it’s wireless. I suspect that the sensor’s battery has failed.
20°C, brisk S, dry humid and dull.
A warm humid air dominates today’s mood. Warm and heavy, the rain was an empty threat. He gears are still indexing badly.
15°C, light S wind, dry but for rain in the last mile.
A ride ruined. I stopped after 2 miles with a soft tyre to blow it back up. 2 miles later, it had lost pressure as I got onto the gravel section. The inner tubes are slime filled which seals punctures but I was thought the valve was bunged up. It certainly looked green (the colour of the slime).
Eventually, I took the tube out and found 2 needle-like thorns. Okay, 1 more try… No better. Being 10 miles from home, I put a normal tube in. Meanwhile the clouds loomed dark.
I’m now taking a break at home because I’m having troubles finding the holes to patch.
Micycle 