Hulme End.

Posted on 22nd Mar 2014 by essiep

4C, SW brisk with heavy showers.
DofE- staff training day. This was a re-newal of our navigation qualification. For us, a nice walk around the limestone landscape of northern Staffordshire.
The next stage is a national award, this one cannot be used outside Walsall jurisdiction. A national award is more use for those of up when want to move on. I think he called it the low-life assessment.

Only problem was nagging aches from that long standing Achilles tendon problem. Every time I think it is healed, it comes back. Frustrating.
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Posted from a mobile.

Over the bars for a face-plant.

Posted on 15th Mar 2014 by essiep

11C,brisk Westerly, dry, bright.
Driving but stuck behind a bike club in Stafford. In a complex of roundabouts, one bloke turns to pick up something dropped. He then struggled to get back on to the group in the Saturday traffic. With the group already split in by cars. He had more trouble passing cars between the bunches.
Then, suddenly he was flicked into the air over his bike. A white car had stopped to let turning cars by. The bike’s brakes hadn’t stopped him fast enough, he hit the white car from the back.
By the time I got there, was wheeling his bike to the bus-stop to recover. The young woman driver walked over, visibly annoyed. She was not too happy to see a middle-aged man face printed on her rear window.
It’s understandable how this happened. The guy had his adrenaline up, he wanted to get back to the safety of the bunch. He pushed on, dodging cars only to foul up.
Walking wounded, hope his bike is okay. She will have to wash the sweaty image of a surprised face off the rear window when she gets home.

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Posted from a mobile.

Bats.

Posted on 13th Mar 2014 by essiep

Commute- Distance: 23.20mi, time: 01:34:58, pace: 4:06min/mi, speed: 14.6mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/506053223

A ride home through quiet country roads. I saw many things, mist forming in the corners of fields, the setting sun, stars appearing, Jupiter, and bats.
The first ones were notable in the corner of my eye, but then one flew in front. It flitted in before me as I rode at about 15mph. There it was, for about 10 seconds before escaping across the hedge.
That made my day.

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Posted from a mobile.

Bannister hill: fail less.

Posted on 9th Mar 2014 by essiep

12°C, grey start but warm sun later.

Cycle Kona (fixed): Distance: 60.4mi, time: 03:44:44, pace: 3:43min/mi, speed: 16.1mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/501668581
Who knows why, but the GPS recorded 88 miles for today. Maybe some interference on route. Could overhanging trees do that?
The route took in my favourite measure- Bannister Hill. Like last time, I didn’t make it to the top, but I did get twice as far this week before walking. I weigh 4lbs less than last time and there was no wind, so nothing to blame.
Later, I happened upon the Ormskirk club in a layby so I joined them for some chaingang miles to Southport. That was tremendous, but my legs burnt up with lactic acid and I dropped off along the sea-front. That’s where the anomalous GPS position was recorded (I found later).

I stopped for a snack and to ease my sore legs. It was so much fun though. They are a good group whom I feel safe riding close with.
The day finished in warm spring sunshine smelling sweet.