Category Archives: Cycling

I’m back on.

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11°C dull with soft drizzle.

I rode The Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 25.58km, time: 01:23:00, pace: 3:15min/km, speed: 18.49km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3184165357

That was a whole week of cycling lost to an enigmatic virus. Now I’ve returned to normal, now work can resume on the house. Time is pressing now because the new central heating will be fitted in 2 weeks. Beforehand, I must remove the relevant radiators, strip and replace the wallpaper behind. Most pressing of all, the new radiators should be orderes in good time. I’m going for column radiators in a few key places- the living room, master bedroom and hallway.

The living room radiator is in an annoying place behind the sofa and the master bedroom’s rad is just too small,

Empty legs.

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Sunny and light wind. 16C

I rode Mustang. with MapMyRide+! Distance: 18.82km, time: 57:40, pace: 3:04min/km, speed: 19.58km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3174440920

That was a short ride in the windy sunshine. Outings like these can be refreshing but,this was different. It fekt like running on empty, a portent to a cold probably. I’ll take a few days off the bike and see how it develops.

Awkward route.

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16°C, bright sun and dry.

I rode commute on Mustang with MapMyRide+! Distance: 33.94km, time: 01:37:43, pace: 2:53min/km, speed: 20.84km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3168112006

Before the ride home from work, I looked at Google maps to find an alternative route. Though the ride down Parbold Hill is fun, there is a horrible bottleneck at the bottom. There must be an alternative. There is and I don’t mind a few miles extra if the roads are quiet. The real problem is its complexity, so many turns and each an opportunity for error.

It was these errors that caused problems. First, a tiny single-track lane, next was the busy road through Burscough. Dodging traffic with low sun in you eyes was difficult.

Next time will be better.

Shopping and the green machines.

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15°C, sunny and breeze from S.

I rode Arrow with MapMyRide+! Distance: 20.78km, time: 01:00:40, pace: 2:55min/km, speed: 20.55km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3165767278

I think all of my bikes have been photographed here, except perhaps the Racelite. It was a pleasant enough ride but I still feel a little stretched not on this bike.

The brake levers need changing, there is a lot of play in the levers now. They’re making me nervous now. On the other hand, I’ve only ridden this just over 100 miles this year.

Cool fun in the sun.

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8~14°C, strengthening N, sunny, dry.

I rode Mustang with MapMyRide+! Distance: 81.41km, time: 03:36:37, pace: 2:40min/km, speed: 22.55km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3161714137

I took this shot because of the distant land just left of the pier. At first, I thought it was the Isle of Man. A groups of cyclists on the front said it was Barrow. I think they’re probably right. So, visibility was very good to the north. Snowdonia wasn’t visible to the south west.

Anyway, I had a nice ride. I was prompted on by tagging on with club riders when they overtook. I’d forgotten how much fun club rides are.

Wallpaper.

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15°C, dramatic clouds, strong W.

I rode Mustang with MapMyRide+! Distance: 25.95km, time: 01:15:45, pace: 2:55min/km, speed: 20.55km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3131713657

Home: it’s been a long, slow job.

The last roll of wallpaper is up now. It was an awkward corner with a window sill, a curved vertical and a tight corner. All those made getting rid of wrinkles really tricky. I hope the renaming ripples will pull out as the paper dries. Let’s see tomorrow.

Let down by a pump.

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16°C, gloomy drizzle and blustery SW

I rode Kona Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 31.86km, time: 01:32:04, pace: 2:53min/km, speed: 20.76km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3087552775

Once I got off the track, it was obvious that the tyres were too soft. Topping up the pressure should be easy, right? The first two attempts left me with a flat tyre. Unscrewing the pump head also unscrewed and removed the valve. Annoying. Eventually, I got it in and it held some pressure, but no more than 20psi.

Its horrible riding with only 20psi, the rear wheel squelches and skids from side to side. It doesn’t feel safe at all.

Tried blnowing up a road bike tyre with the pump and it worked just fine. That probably means the problem all along was the valve is too short on this rim.

Tartleton oil patch

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17°C, 3/5 sun brisk SSW dry.

I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 52.54km, time: 02:11:13, pace: 2:30min/km, speed: 24.02km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3086065537

A normal ride on the summer bike and a familiar route. At the lights in Tartleton, a puddle of yellow liquid. It didn’t smell but was viciously slippery after getting it on the tyres. What was it, it didn’t smell of diesel so maybe a vegetable oil?

I phoned the police about it, that liquid was dangerous if you are on two wheels.

The machines and drizzle.

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17°C, drizzle and onshore breeze.

I rode Paddy Wagon with MapMyRide+! Distance: 44.31km, time: 01:50:20, pace: 2:29min/km, speed: 24.10km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3078674872

Same route as last time but with claggy weather. The biggest difference was my energy, I was quite enfeebled. The machines felt heavier and I couldn’t do so many repetitions.

This next photo is puzzling, it looks like the grim reaper out on the mud flats.

I rode Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 6.29km, time: 25:40, pace: 4:05min/km, speed: 14.71km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3079817260

A quick evening ride to watch the sun go down. The sand flats go out miles into a big sky.

That was satisfying.