Unlocking lockdown: the roads are noticeably busier this last few days. For the last 4 weeks, cyclists have outnumbered cars on most roads, but not any more. Another phenomena is the speed. Either drivers are noticeable due to unfamiliarity or they really are.putting their foot down on the empty roads. Drivers who do this are all young men.
Fizzy legs asked for a bike ride all day. They had to wait for the wallpapering before we went. Said rain was never heavy but it was continuous and eventually chilling.
To finish a busy day decorating, I got the road before it got dark. This was the most satisfying day of lockdown. Morning, I wallpapered another wall and prepared the remaining walls. In the afternoon, I rebuilt a wall in the bedroom. My neighbour donated mortar so I could get the job done. In lockdown, most DIY materials are difficult to get.
Not so many seen on he road today, bikes still outnumbered cars though. I haven’t ridden for a few days but felt refreshed after 2 days of DIY. The brisk northerly was cool and steady but the route turned it into a side-wind mostly.
I don’t know why here is no map on the picture from MapMyRide today.
Today, I used the morning to service 2 bikes. The Racelite summer bike needed a deep clean and inspection. Chainwear is an advisory and the cables still need re-routing. All mechanicals were sweet on the ride though. Just like old times when I’d clock up 7k miles a year, I got faster the further I went. In the first 10 miles went at 14mph but the last 10 at 17.5 mph.
The government have allowed us one outing a day to exercise so I made this one count. The roads are so empty, it’s like Sunday mornings in the late 80s when I took up proper cycling. Back then, I read a cycling book while laid up recovering from a bout of ‘flu. Is there that irony, maybe?
We’re living through strange times: a looming threat of disease hangs over us, but the sky is pure blue; I can taste the dread sometimes, I may loose somebody I know to Corona Virus CVID-19. I’m out of work; schools are closed and all DofE is cancelled but there is much that needs doing to my house. I have materials and tools but didn’t have time, until now.
The cassette needs changing. There is one cog that skips a bit under pressure. The new chain and BB are running nicely however.
Not a fat pigeon, he’s cold.
Fully back to health for the first time properly in over a month. One cold followed another this winter, perhaps the wet weather playedf a part. That’s nothing to what’s coming. I’m now out of work, all DofE cancelled for at least 6 weeks and schools have closed – no supply work either. I may be driving deliveries soon to help fix the empty shops.
Not ridden for a week due to another exhausting cold. One day, I even suspected I had Corona virus when a cough suddenly started. Today, suddenly, I feel better, so that was a false alarm.
Got another cold. I decided to use the rule that it’s okay to train if you’re cold is only above the neck. Still, I had no real energy so plodded along the sea wall slowly.