18°C grey sky S wind.
I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 37.83km, time: 01:35:49, pace: 2:32min/km, speed: 23.69km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2344632842
I have some fizz in my legs. This wonderful feeling has returned since leaving that workplace. It’s amazing how much stress can bring you down.
Dull grey and some drizzle. 17°C and later in sun, 21°C.
I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 103.01km, time: 04:12:00, pace: 2:27min/km, speed: 24.53km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2333372318
Woke early with plenty of fizz. Once I got going, the pace was great by recent standards. Three guys passed me at Barton so I joined them for a few miles. All winter, I got used to cyclists dropping me, not today. I took turns on the front and kept pace comfortably.
The Racelite still has speed to offer. Eventually, they turned off on their Sportive route. By the time I got to Sudbury, hunger had me in its grip.
Often these rides take in familiar lanes, but today, I went through villages not travelled for ten years, maybe more.
The stretch on cannock chase filled my head with thoughts of DofE in June. At Springslade, I chatted to two mountain bikers.
Home with 65 miles and some satisfaction.
22°C, light breeze and some sun. Dry.
I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 118.89km, time: 05:10:08, pace: 2:37min/km, speed: 23.00km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2317797326
Adjusted the saddle before setting off, so glad I did. The ride remained comfortable right to the end. Still, the seat-post needs replacing. The seat goes out of adjustment too easily leading to backache.
I spun alley today and I’m sure that’s why the long miles were comfortable. Oh, by the way, that’s 75 miles in old money.
19°C, sunny and still.
I rode The Mustang with MapMyRide+! Distance: 25.50km, time: 01:27:27, pace: 3:26min/km, speed: 17.50km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2314941230
Somebody had time to spare. This pile of stones was not there last time I came by.
Better than that, I look a phone call while out and had to interrupt when a Kingfisher flashed by. It was so fast but the ultraviolet glow was unmistakable. Excellent!
Bright sun and westerly wind. 19°C.
I rode the Kona Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 77.83km, time: 03:51:47, pace: 2:59min/km, speed: 20.15km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2302108298
Today, I broke the saddle. It’s the same break that they always have- immediately behind the clamp on one rail. I never really liked that seat anyway. Later, I rode along a canal from Rufford to join the Leeds-Liverpool canal.
Another fault has developed recently, the gear change is worse and adjustment makes no difference. The barrel adjuster is at its limit. In fact, it’s beyond. The adjuster is screwed out entirely. Unfortunately, it won’t screw back in. Perhaps the thread is damaged.
11~17°C, sunny with SW brisk wind.
I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 105.83km, time: 04:42:49, pace: 2:40min/km, speed: 22.45km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2191839101
I still enjoy the thrill of getting onto the Racelite. It’s light and fairly nimble but somehow less so. In comparison to my two alloy bikes, it feels rather flexible. If I shake the handlebars as I ride, I can’t really feel it in the seat. The frame flexes. If my job prospects were better, I’d consider an upgrade to a stiff aluminium road racer. For now, it’s good for long distance rides since it’s comfortable.
Today’s pace was not blistering, last week’s cold has not entirely left. The peacocks were funny though.
Look at the cheek, they climb up onto the table and throw the food they want onto the floor. Plates go crashing and they don’t even blink. Peacocks have the minds of criminals.
15°C, Brisk SE wind, mostly sunny, entirely dry.
I rode The Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 72.78km, time: 04:10:50, pace: 3:27min/km, speed: 17.41km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2160239831
It’s all dried and cracked out there. Even molehills are as hard as stone. The big feature of the day is wind. A strong, dry south-easterly, which can only dry out the land more.
The vibration is hard on the hands. Suspension, at least on the front would solve this. The beach was firm too. Overall, average speed was low today. Partly that’s the conditions, you can’t ride off-road as quickly. The other part is that my fitness isn’t as good this year.
11°C, sunny with strong W, dry.
I rode The Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 62.68km, time: 03:11:43, pace: 3:04min/km, speed: 19.62km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2127494444
Overnight rain dampened the ground somewhat. It dried up during the day.
HDR; although I like the hdr effect on photos like this, it is only an effect. The app uses a kind of bass-relief method rather than genuine multi-exposure merging to create the high dynamic range. It might be interesting to try out the techniques with my new Fuji X-10. It’s a compact camera capable to taking multiple exposure at the same instant. This way, the merge should work without any smudges caused by movement.
11°C, brisk NW, dry and sunny.
I rode The Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 49.14km, time: 02:35:15, pace: 3:10min/km, speed: 18.99km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2123818616
Not much improvisation on kid route today.
Also took two brisk walks totalling about 8 miles. Although there are plenty of public footpaths across farmland around here, there are few circular routes. The best routes use very little road.
I shall sleep well tonight.
14°C, mostly sunny with light wind.
I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 116.03km, time: 02:39:32, pace: 1:22min/km, speed: 43.64km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2099631971
The view from Bosworth Battlefield visitors centre. North is the village of Mkt Bosworth.
On the return leg, I happened upon this sign:
I sense some frustration in the people of Sheepy. It’s a straight road just off a fast A road. The boy racers probably tear around in their hot hatches while throwing a trail of MacDonald’s packaging out their windows. This time of year, the long narrow land-fill sites in our hedgerows are hidden by growing plants. The winter always looks the worst. Am I sounding grumpy? Okay, I better stop then.
Micycle 