Category Archives: Cycling

Early misty ride

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6°C, sunny still and misty start.

I rode Paddy Wagon with MapMyRide+! Distance: 73.79km, time: 03:11:29, pace: 2:36min/km, speed: 23.12km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2848921645

And it was gorgeous; rolling mist especially over each stream and drainage ditch. As for wildlife; a buzzard, remarkable because there are so few here; two avocets; some oyster catchers and lapwings. Oh, and a very fast hare, all seen while riding.

I’m, still finding this hard, a winter of neglect is to blame. I can’t say for certain whether i have reached the 1,000 mile mark yet. To this end, i used the weignts machines on southport front.

Anyway, a grand day out and home by 10.00 am.

Two rides today.

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9C, Brisk W wind but dry and white cloud.

I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 29.02km, time: 01:14:59, pace: 2:35min/km, speed: 23.22km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2845558555

This crumbling restaurant has been abandoned for over 10 years. In it’s hay-day I can only imagine how kitsch it was. Some places deserve to fall down. I may revisit in the spirit of Urbex/HDR photographers. There is some scaffolding which suggests it may get some regeneration in the next year or so.

Seafront machines.

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12°C, bright start but front building. SW breeze brisk.

I rode Paddy Wagon with MapMyRide+! Distance: 50.27km, time: 02:09:21, pace: 2:34min/km, speed: 23.32km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2821770613

It was only 30 miles but it felt like a half century.. I stopped on the front to use some of the exercise machines, they’re rather good. It was quiet at 8am so I didn’t feel too self-conscious using them. They didn’t need any adjustment because many of them rely on body-weight for resistance. If you’re light, the resistance is low.

RSPB tour.

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8°C, NE cool breeze. Grey.

I rode kona Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 15.18km, time: 01:06:21, pace: 4:22min/km, speed: 13.73km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2816224618

I’ve had a filthy stinking cold. Today, day 10, sees me not fully recovered and I’m wary of ramping up the exercise to quickly. Too quick and it all comes back.

It was good to visit the RSPB ‘visitor centre. There were knowledgeable volunteers there who pointed out an Avocet and a Spoonbill. The latter is a funny looking bird, more so because they look so serious with that absurd spoon.

I came away with some plans in mind: put up some House Martin boxes and maybe remove brick from the gable end. That will make it possible for bats nest in my roof. Some people worry about House Martins because for a short time of the year, they drop guano. That is a problem easily solved by fitting a window box. The window box holds nice plants and the Martins drop regular fertiliser.

Normal weather again.

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8°C, light S breeze, light cloud.

I rode Paddy Wagon with MapMyRide+! Distance: 49.59km, time: 02:03:55, pace: 2:30min/km, speed: 24.01km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2747744446

Running at speed, I had a very enjoyable spin. Once I passed my new house, I headed south along the coast rode and faced this amazing atmospheric effect. There was a fan of crepuscular rays reading down beyond the pier. The most remarkable part, in my opinion, is that the rays didn’t seem to suite touch the sea. They ran out of energy in an impossible way. ‘Beautiful’ describes it mildly.

Bleak marshes.

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7°C, brisk SE wind mostly dry but misty and dull.

I rode Mustang with MapMyRide+! Distance: 70.64km, time: 03:24:16, pace: 2:54min/km, speed: 20.75km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2743892431

While most of the rest of this country is clearing up after snow storms, our snow is long gone. We’re under return polar maritime air. This airmass gap travelled tens of thousands of miles over sea collecting water vapour as it went. Now it’s gloomy, misty though slightly warmer.

This ride included a cafe stop where I thought over life’s troubles. On the table was a copy of Pro Cyclist. A magazine with some in-depth features including an analysis of the ways sleep is affected by athletic training. It’s relevant to me. I’m currently writing this at 04.20, a time that I’m usually awake and up.