19°C, no wind full sun.
The best ride of the year? Quite possibly! I did curtail the route slightly when a seat rail broke. It did fail in the diagonal section which meant no change in the saddle shape. That meant a comfortable ride home with only the occasional knock when the break opened and closed.
It was a tremendous ride, belting along at speed was comfortable and in perfect conditions.
15°C, no wind, full sun.
I should have taken a shot of the empty motorway – it was empty like I’ll never see again. Here’s a shot of a normally busy A-road instead. Today’s conditions were perfect – still, dry, and no traffic. I could have gone further but getting additional water is difficult during these unusual times.
The last few rides were on busy roads it’s like lockdown hasn’t happened. I guess there are lots of people still at work. Side roads were quiet.
12°C, moderate W breeze, sunny,
Unlocking lockdown: the roads are noticeably busier this last few days. For the last 4 weeks, cyclists have outnumbered cars on most roads, but not any more. Another phenomena is the speed. Either drivers are noticeable due to unfamiliarity or they really are.putting their foot down on the empty roads. Drivers who do this are all young men.
9°C, rain.
Fizzy legs asked for a bike ride all day. They had to wait for the wallpapering before we went. Said rain was never heavy but it was continuous and eventually chilling.
Jake, 9°C, light breeze and dry.
A short evening’s outing cut short by a tyre problem.
14°C, bright sun, much cooler 0 cloud.
To finish a busy day decorating, I got the road before it got dark. This was the most satisfying day of lockdown. Morning, I wallpapered another wall and prepared the remaining walls. In the afternoon, I rebuilt a wall in the bedroom. My neighbour donated mortar so I could get the job done. In lockdown, most DIY materials are difficult to get.
I slept soundly.
8°C, chilly brisk northerly. Dry.
Not so many seen on he road today, bikes still outnumbered cars though. I haven’t ridden for a few days but felt refreshed after 2 days of DIY. The brisk northerly was cool and steady but the route turned it into a side-wind mostly.
I don’t know why here is no map on the picture from MapMyRide today.
16°C, bright sun, light N, dry.
Today, I used the morning to service 2 bikes. The Racelite summer bike needed a deep clean and inspection. Chainwear is an advisory and the cables still need re-routing. All mechanicals were sweet on the ride though. Just like old times when I’d clock up 7k miles a year, I got faster the further I went. In the first 10 miles went at 14mph but the last 10 at 17.5 mph.
The government have allowed us one outing a day to exercise so I made this one count. The roads are so empty, it’s like Sunday mornings in the late 80s when I took up proper cycling. Back then, I read a cycling book while laid up recovering from a bout of ‘flu. Is there that irony, maybe?
We’re living through strange times: a looming threat of disease hangs over us, but the sky is pure blue; I can taste the dread sometimes, I may loose somebody I know to Corona Virus CVID-19. I’m out of work; schools are closed and all DofE is cancelled but there is much that needs doing to my house. I have materials and tools but didn’t have time, until now.
How strange is this empty country. There were more bikes than cars on the roads. Even on an early morning Sunday; isn’t this good?
6°C, moderate NE, sunny. Mustang.
The cassette needs changing. There is one cog that skips a bit under pressure. The new chain and BB are running nicely however.
Fully back to health for the first time properly in over a month. One cold followed another this winter, perhaps the wet weather playedf a part. That’s nothing to what’s coming. I’m now out of work, all DofE cancelled for at least 6 weeks and schools have closed – no supply work either.
I may be driving deliveries soon to help fix the empty shops.
Micycle 