12°C, white cloud and stillness.
I rode with MapMyRide+! Distance: 74.70km, time: 03:03:39, pace: 2:28min/km, speed: 24.41km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2507628494
Calm between storms make for a good ride on a single speed bike. Currently, we are experiencing somewhat below average temperatures. This photo doesn’t really show how high the tide is. I am used to seeing the sea far out from the Southport sea wall.
Today was a very satisfying ride, much needed.
14°C, sunny and strong W wind.
I rode The Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 57.86km, time: 03:38:32, pace: 3:47min/km, speed: 15.89km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2499624422
Monday afternoon on The Chase is quiet with only a few dog walkers. Actually, it’s brilliant, I saw only two other cyclists too. Not only that, but I’m getting better at this too. Precarious descents don’t seem as steep as my confidence grows.
The nicest ride back home is along the canal. Here is a picture of a very narrow tunnel. I wouldn’t like to try this on a mountain bike with wide bars.
13°C, grey with soft but bearable ground.
I rode The Jake wth MapMyRide+! Distance: 24.24km, time: 01:22:07, pace: 3:23min/km, speed: 17.71km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2489252846
The usual route with today. I raised the pace on ground that allowed some give. Previous times here, the ground was so hard that jarring slowed the pace. It was a full start however. So, I put the lights on. That led to something odd on the canal. A guy steering a barge shouted at me “would you switch off the flashing light, it’s distracting me“.
How peculiar. If I did that, by the time I’d pressed the button, I would have ridden past the boat. He wouldn’t see any benefit by then. So why should I bother?
I didn’t.
18°C, sunny with light SE breeze.
I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 98.56km, time: 04:13:17, pace: 2:34min/km, speed: 23.35km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2483606477
Like wading through treacle. My legs didn’t warm up until about 15 miles. I shouldn’t be harsh on myself because I haven’t ridden for 2 weeks but in that time did plenty of exercise in hiking. Another ride or two will bring them back.
17°C, sunny dry but cooler.
I rode The Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 29.12km, time: 01:47:19, pace: 3:41min/km, speed: 16.28km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2436944570
Reverse route plus some. The towpaths are still dry and very hard.
I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 41.58km, time: 01:47:52, pace: 2:36min/km, speed: 23.13km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2420264324
A speedy whizz through the lanes to freshen up. But in the thirteenth mile: bang!
The rear tyre burst. Fibres were sticking out like hair. The hole was about 8mm diagonally across the tyre. I found myself outside a house that looked promising however. Maybe they have some carpet tape.
And so they did, I took 4 pieces to patch the inside of the tyre. Friendly people, thankyou for that.
Outside, in the sunshine g applied the tape. I laid four layers, each one smaller to spread out the tension.
I rode home gingerly, nervous that it would blow again. Basset tape has strong glue but it can creep. It could move enough to allow the inner tube to bubble out.
That’s okay unless it happens somewhere critical like a junction.
Anyway, I got home without event.
18°C, grey and very humid, misty.
I rode The Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 28.54km, time: 01:23:37, pace: 2:56min/km, speed: 20.48km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2414489180
Brisk and slightly slippery.
20°C, light W breeze, deep blue sky and dry.
I rode Paddy Wagon with MapMyRide+! Distance: 55.83km, time: 02:14:53, pace: 2:25min/km, speed: 24.84km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2404618307
Started off as a plod, but got quicker as I felt better.
This turned into a perfect day. My energy remained on tap and the pace sustained. It was the colour that blazed so vividly that impressed so much.
Beautiful day.
18°C, brisk W, deep blue sky.
I rode Mustang with MapMyRide+! Distance: 27.64km, time: 01:26:27, pace: 3:08min/km, speed: 19.18km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2400430430
A recovery ride, not much energy flowed but I got round. The route is the same last week on the cross bike. The total time map only buddy minutes worse despite the heavier bike too.
I rode The Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 17.09km, time: 58:32, pace: 3:26min/km, speed: 17.52km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2391907526
Started on the favourite canal loop for a tea-time ride. It soon became obvious that energy was missing. Clearly, I’m unwell. So after 5 miles, I turned back.
Micycle 