Cross Ribble Nat Trust

11°C, grey but dry and calm.

Rode the Jake along the Ribble estuary. The ground was softer than last time but some sections were too broken up to ride

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3251440075

This was a recovery ride after a persistent cold. It’s not fully cleared and nearing the end of its third week. I despair at the longevity of this one. Despair? I’m downright annoyed about it.

Stormy ride

19°C, grey, damp and strong wind S. Storm Calum.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3198628102

Needed this ride all day but it was torrential this morning.

Recently, I have used the HDR effect on cycling photos. This one is similar, called ‘Drama’.

I quite enjoy cycling in darkness, more so with my brightest lights. For today, this 200 lumin will suffice. Its beam is narrow and that gives the advantage of reach. The light patch can be aimed further ahead. Modern lights usually offer many different brightness options as well as flashing modes. Combinations across the two headlights suit different conditions. In traffic, I typically have 1 set to flashing mode. Later on, the brightest light is aimed at pothole leave while the other is aimed further ahead. Two identical lamps would not work as well.

Ride home into the sun.

19°C, sun and breeze S

Commuting ride on the old Arrow. https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3193680025

A fine sunny ride home from work. The ride in this morning was spectacular. Half an hour in, the sun peeped above Rivington hill as it rose. For me, sunrise was a little late because of the height of the hill. I rode along quiet tracks and roads across peaty farmland. Soon the brightness would be a nuisance as I neared work.


Southport is home to large flocks of geese and ducks. They overwinter here in huge numbers and fly a daily commute. I admire them. The town’s dogs bark at them. The barking sweeps over urban areas in waves following the birds.

Night machines

18°C, clear for a sunset. https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3191847133

Rode Racelite to Tartleton. It’s been warm today but the clear sky will allow that to escape.

Southport Pier.

I’m playing here with my new phone. It has an HDR function built into the camera. I doubt that it’s genuine HDR, more likely a gamut curve rather than merged multiple exposures.

Tonight is also the first time this bike has visited the seaside since I lived in Bristol.

I’m back on.

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.

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.