Category Archives: Cycling

Seafront machines and weirdos

Posted on by
Reply

19°C, 0 cloud, no wind either.

I rode fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 53.45km, time: 02:03:18, pace: 2:18min/km, speed: 26.01km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/3015838321

As routine, rode out to the seafront machines and I wasn’t the only one there. A guy with a pot and bright yellow shorts was swinging his arms. It’s something people do who are new to exercise. It pot was big.

He mouthed something of a greeting to me as I parked the bike. He can’t talk. Then, he pointed to himself and drew 58 in the sand. Then, turned to me so I drew 53. He looked of up and down approvingly. Strange enough?

Then I rode out towards my house. Somebody was sleeping in the sand. They looked as if they’d been there all night. Seaside towns attract all sorts of people from the fringes of society.

After I came out of my house, some smartly dressed people let themselves through my gate. They asked me some uncomfortable questions about my bike ride, ‘was there an event?’. They handed over a leaflet and invited me to some hall. Creepy. Religious people are sooo creepy.

At least I’ve watered the plants and collected my parcels.

One of the machines is broken.

Posted on by
Reply

18°C, deep blue and still.

I rode Fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 40.97km, time: 01:35:55, pace: 2:20min/km, speed: 25.63km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2998463041

What a fun ride. The lighter wheels make for a more racey feel, the higher gear is not felt.

As before, I used the seafront machines but one is broken. I hope it gets repaired. The beach is all set up for the Southport airshow. Such a shame that I’ll miss it.

Fires on the moors.

Posted on by
Reply

28°C, hot dry and still. Thin brown smoke split the cloudless sky.

I rode from work with MapMyRide+! Distance: 31.90km, time: 01:27:11, pace: 2:44min/km, speed: 21.95km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2983492537

This photo is from the roadside on the ride home. Yesterday was worse, the entire sky was filled with a hazy bluish smoke that had a distinctive woody smell. It’s good in a way that I didn’t ride, it can’t be good for your lungs. By evening, the smoke spread over all of Lancashire as it dispersed and drifted towards the sea. Once the sun was down, onshore breezes cleared the air near the coast once more.

Today started refreshingly clear, deep blue sky and clean air. The fire in the photo may have started during daylight. Perhaps a lensed bottle, a cigarette or a throwaway BBQ tray. The river of brown smoke split the sky into evening and seemed to float higher than yesterday. the smell was very faint.

Lollipop route.

Posted on by
Reply

23°C, light NW, milky sunshine, still dry.

I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 65.81km, time: 02:46:14, pace: 2:32min/km, speed: 23.75km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2943936343

This driveway looked quite desolate last time I passed, that was just afternthe trees were coppiced. Now, in recovery, they’re looking better.

Anyway, the ride was in very nice conditions so the pace good. Stopped at Velo Cafe at Twin Lakes, possibly the best cycle cafe around here. The next part of the route inadvertently turned into a lolipop route. Home too early, or start too late more likely.

Three rides

Posted on by
Reply

15°C deep blue, light ÑW

I rode Paddy Wagon and Racelite (2 bikes) with MapMyRide+! Distance: 83.08km, time: 03:28:04, pace: 2:30min/km, speed: 23.96km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2882959417

And then I rode this bike for a few hours. I don’t recall riding two different bikes in the same day before. How interesting, the comparison I mean. The Racelite was the easiest, fast, smooth and comfortable. Perhaps it’s time to fit tne summer wheels to the fixed bike.

Recently, I have worried about loss of stamina on longer rides, but on the Racelite, I could have kept going. Today was a perfecr late-spring day.

First bike commute in 9 months.

Posted on by
Reply

8°C, sunny and fresh. Dry.

I rode jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 28.25km, time: 01:15:27, pace: 2:40min/km, speed: 22.47km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2874199003

That hill is hard in every way. It didnt even pay back on the return home; rain began, traffic built up and potholes are scattered eveywhere. At the earliestmopportunity, I swung off the main road, even at the risk of greater milage. I got home hungry.

Onto the front.

Posted on by
Reply

I rode Paddy Wagon with MapMyRide+! Distance: 51.89km, time: 02:17:34, pace: 2:39min/km, speed: 22.63km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2851052539

A shorter ride today, but went on the machines on the front. I could easily use these every day.

Also, i quite fancy the idea of using Couch to 5K. In case you dont don’t know, its a running gps teacker. I have no proplem with stamina, but it would be great to build up core.

Early misty ride

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Posted on by
Reply

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.