Cold with big puddles everywhere. 4°C, light N.
Rode 8-speed, MapMyRide+! Distance: 34.4mi, time: 02:25:54, pace: 4:14min/mi, speed: 14.2mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/831949269
Rain all day seemed endless. But end it did. 2.30pm the sun broke through so off I went.
Came home in the dark which descended later than at solstice.
It may be too icy to ride tomorrow, so this is am insurance ride.
strong wind SSW, showers but mild: 12°C.
I rode fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 24.8mi, time: 01:43:50, pace: 4:11min/mi, speed: 14.32mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/830046503
Strong winds make careful route planning more important. On a single-speed bike the best approach is to include long cross-wind sections. On New year’s Day traffic is light, on a wet day, there are few boy-racers so this was a good outing.
Birkdale Cemetery, a magnet for Dr Who fans. I had to take these pictures without blinking, honestly!
5°C, light SSW breeze, wet roads but no rain.
I rode fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 38.9mi, time: 02:36:23, pace: 4:01min/mi, speed: 14.9mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/825424237
Slow, cold but steady side. Even in the 17t, the moderate pace felt like an effort.
Building heavy clouds with icy tops. They look so solid, but the feathery tops are somewhat ominous. Light snow came later in the evening.
6°C, SW brisk, one sunny bit.
I rode the Arrow with MapMyRide+! Distance: 53.13mi, time: 03:50:29, pace: 4:20min/mi, speed: 13.8mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/817772727
Typical winter’s side. Cold, blustery and dull. So were my legs but at least the bike was comfortable and click free. That average speed is low! The ride out was much quicker, I managed to overtake a mixed club all dressed in Santa costumes. Okay, with the assistance of a crossing tailwind. The return leg really was slow though.
The Water Park was very quiet, but at least there was some food. Alas, no soup.
9°C, sunny with light NW breeze,
Sunday, rode fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 52.31mi, time: 03:29:03, pace: 4:00min/mi, speed: 15.01mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/807418955
In contrast to yesterday, today I saw colour, blue sky and golden autumn colours.
Saturday, was it tiredness plus grey weather that left me wanting to sleep all day? Low grey clouds and light mist sucked all the colour out of the day. Dull dull dull.
Near the river Ribble.
9°C, grey misty but dry. Distance: 11.53mi, time: 51:01, pace: 4:25min/mi, speed: 13.56mi/h. http://mapmyride.com/workout/799316005 Took the short route home, running on empty tanks. I hate November, it can only get worse. Another month before mid-winter, then another before the coldest days. For now, dense fog. 
9C, light SE dry and white cloud.
Commute trade with MapMyRide+! Distance: 29.31mi, time: 02:02:21, pace: 4:10min/mi, speed: 14.38mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/798651481
Extended ride across the Tame valley. Near the river, well away from any lights apart from my own I saw a shape above. It could have been a reflection in the rim of my glasses but it wasn’t. Flapping slowly and more notably- in utter silence. A Barn Owl was flying across my path to the east. Wonderful.
12°C, no real wind, but some NE, dry
I rode single-speed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 47.85mi, time: 03:02:27, pace: 3:49min/mi, speed: 15.74mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/796848735
Once up to speed, the winter wheels aren’t too slow. But, under acceleration, hill climbing or out of the saddle it is obviously heavy. Out of the saddle, throwing the bars side to side was nowhere as free as before. Still, the outing was fun despite me shying away from Bannister Hill.
12°C,light SE, white cloud.
I rode Fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 16.45mi, time: 01:01:23, pace: 3:44min/mi, speed: 16.08mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/796205985
Considering how grotty I felt earlier, this little ride was a transformation. Mid November seems quite mild as I didn’t need many layers today.
Photo: a few minutes before sunset looking towards Formby.
Rode Arrow, tracked with MapMyRide+! Distance: 55.04mi, time: 03:45:58, pace: 4:06min/mi, speed: 14.61mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/790175641
The bike felt good, despite the heavy winter wheels. Everything ran smoothly, but it was a heavy load to winch up those hills.
Today had bul the vital ingredients, that feeling of one with the machine, fine weather and fitness. Never mind that the average speed was low.
Web research suggests that I may not get a new bike until near the end of the year. The 2014 range gap sold out of the largest frames and the 2015 bikes aren’t available yet. Trek is a name I haven’t looked at seriously yet. The new ranges often feature a black colour scheme.
Below is the River Tame in flood. This loop near Elford floods easily.
Micycle 