Category Archives: Travel

Barn Owl.

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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
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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.

Away from the big hill.

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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.

Autumn sun.

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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.
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Hills on the Chase.

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13°C, white cloud, SW 4,
Distance: 60.50mi, time: 04:13:39, pace: 4:12min/mi, speed: 14.31mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/776992287
Ages since I last rode up the Chase. This forestry land gap many sharp hills and sweeping, fast descents. I stopped at the cafe by the visitor’s centre. It was busy, but with so many staff, the wait was not too long.
There are endless possibilities on the Chase. I saw loads of bridle paths and other marked cycle routes. Most looked ideal for adventures on a cyclo-cross bike. Sadly, the bike shop by the cafe had nothing promising they are dealers for Giant. Giant’s cross bikes are too small for me.

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The comms tower appears to be under demolition.

Autumn, where shall I ride?

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12°C, brisk SW. Dry but grey.
Quite fancy a ride in the woods today. That would be ideal, ride up to Cannock Chase. Ride in the woods for an hour, then finish in the cafe. Only one thing stopping me- the bike.
What about one of these?
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That is the Kona Jake. Supplied with chunky tyres, disk brakes and am aluminium frame. The only caveat is that it weighs no less than my other bikes. If I am to spend all that money, it could be under 10kg. But that’s not a main priority: fit, strength and stiffness come before.
There are plenty of places to ride here, bridal paths, Cannock Chase and canals. I am quite thrilled on reading the local map.
And another thing, I miss my country air. Either I need a CX bike, or…
.a dog.

Commute.

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19°C, light wind and sky. Night drawing in.
rode Arrow with MapMyRide+! Distance: 16.45mi, time: 01:05:40, pace: 3:59min/mi, speed: 15.03mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/750800701
Yes, energy is back. The fizz is anyway. Another week and my legs should feel stronger. For now, I shall ride short routes.
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Doodle from a work file.
Besides, I am off to read my book. It’s Montserrat’s Cruel Sea. The language is fascinating; naval terminology and 1940’s speech.