22°C, clear & still

I usually hope to get 1,000 miles ridden by Easter. This year I am surprised ot see how much over that figure I have accumulated. 1,455 miles since new year: 400 on the Kona fixed-gear, 75 on the race bike and the rest on the Arrow commuter. I know the holiday is as late as it can be this year, but still- not too bad eh? Rode to work yesterday pm the Fixed for the comparison, the time was within a minute of the usual. The bike felt lighter on the climbs, but limited on the descents. If ridden over 25mph, your legs spin in an uncontrollable blur; that knocks back the average some.

Grand-national, a horse race where they race around Aintree and one horse+rider wins while some of the others die or have to be destroyed because of their injuries. Today, two horses died in falls (broken necks), only about 2/3 finished. not impressed.

20°C, westerly but amazingly warm.

-Have cut the steerer-tube of the fixed gear bike. It looks all in-proportion now. Shall I ride it to work tomorrow? I just can’t decide yet. See what I think in the morning. End of term is nigh. The relief, the thought of camping, mountains, walking. The ground is alive and my pond will be done soon.

13C, light SSW, some sun breaks through

Very good ride, I haven’t lost it after al those 50 milers- today’s 75 was comfortable enough. The new saddle is forgettable- that’s a good thing from a seat. My face is all warm, did the sun do this I exclaim?
Yesterday’s worry about the gears service were mostly dismissible. They still skip in the middle gears sometimes when under load but it feels like an indexing problem rather than worn cogs. It’s always a thrill to get out on that bike on the first spring ride, it just wizzed along with me grinning above.

Oh, and I think you should know- I had bread & butter pudding with custard in the cafe. A good day.

+7C, clear and falling. After a rainy start, sun & cool westerly.

Took the fixed-wheel bike up in the Lancashire hills near Chorley. I had to do something I never do- I got off and pushed. Changing down was, of course, not an option on that bike. the ride worked out well though, on the shorter climbs it was a good bike to be on. the road surfaces are bad there, more than can be blamed on the harsh winter I’d say.

4~6°C, soft drizzle. 54Miles.

Hazel catkins announce the coming spring this year. Wait for the minute female flowers, the real pearl is there.

Is that the right name?