Swimming pool.
Twice this week I’ve swam 64 lengths, that is a mile each. It feels good, I’m getting stronger. On the other hand, I’m missing cycling due to this bad weather (Storm Éowyn).
Two miles
Reply
Category Archives: Uncategorized
NCS: Barnswood
In Barnswood, the rain falls on a Thursday.
Week One: arrived very early, the compensation for Manchester traffic was unnecessary. Coaches fulls of YPs didn’t arrive for several hours so we readied the tens. That was reasonably easy. Here was the daunting prospect of disruption caused bad behaviour by some kids (from Oldham). As it turned out, only 3 boys were sent home this week compared with dozens previously after online bullying of another lad.
It’s happened again; one of my ex-pupils from QM is one of the Facilitators. I last taught her ICT in 2017; I will look up what she got at home.
Axe Throwing. After shadowing another freelancer, I was assessed and cleared to run my own sessions. We used two sizes; Ravens and Angel axes (there is some doubt about these names, but that what I was told). Anyway, the shaft-handlem axes were harder to hit the target with (I and the wipies found). One of the girls however, missed most of the throws with the angel axes, and heyd had 3×3 throws. Then onto the heavy axes, he hit the first one. She was as amazed as I was! I said, “Somehow, I knew that would happen“. She was so thrilled and relieved after the initial disappointment. That was a fine moment.
There were other lovely kids, especially the girls (who made up 2/3 of the ‘Waves’.
Week two: was easier, perhaps it got used to it. If m step counter is a guide, walking is double my usual. It went from a typical 8,000 to 16 – 19,000. Anyway, I was happy to do the extra evening and overnight shifts. Tuesday totalled 16 hours. Other days were closer to 11h. I’d put this down to girls being more mature than boys at 16 and willing to engage in interesting conversations. They listen better than the boys so they learn quicker in the Activities. I mainly did axe throwing, fire building and orienteering with groups of 14 at a time. I didn’t like Shelter Building as much. Eah session was 1h 30m but that’s too long for Shelter.
Staff were better on week two. Las weeks, there were three who were shirkers. Others felt that they were doing extra to fill the shortfall. Also, I go to know he regulars.
Friday is packup day. The weather was better, it was warmer again. The morning started misty after yesterday’s relentless rain. Rain marred last Thursday too.
42 Racelite miles
18°C, moderate Westerly and sunny later.
That felt good, I could have ridden more but home needs were pressing. Fine tuning the position has helped greatly, the bars are turned up a bit and the stem is shorter and higher. He aim was to ride up Bannister Lane, he nearest decent climb round here. My old fashioned, narrow gears means it’s all out of the saddle. After the summit, I usually feel refreshed.
Col de Femenior
28 ~42+°C, light breeze, strong sun.
That was a very hard day. I picked a route similar to a previous visit in 2016, up to Lluc about then south to return at low level. The day was hot to begin with and it’s likely that I was not fully hydrated. I really suffered from the 2nd hour onwards. My legs were empty on the climbs and I ran out of water just before the summit. In all, I drank at least 4 litres and was still dehydrated. It seems likely that I was not fully hydrated to start the day and no fully acclimatised either.
Anyway, the bike was a Cube Attain Disc 60 cm. It’s not my favourite on from recent years (the Ridely was though). The reach wasn’t quite right for me and the handling is a bit twitchy on the climbs. The brakes were great thought, especially on those fast descending hairpins going south.
The day got hotter and hotter; in Caimari, the pharmacy showed 40°C on their sign. Some of the south facing valleys were definitely hotter than that – perhaps 45°C.
High tide
8°C, light SW, very high spring tide.
Only a short ride (3rd day in a row) but I added a visit to the Green Machines at the end.
Fixie 67k
That was a good ride. I say that because I’ve had a winter of interruptions that have cost me fitness.
Winter slog.
Arrow, 6°C, brisk SSW, storm brewing.
That felt hard. The average speed is a dismal 11mph. I’m heavy on a heavy bike. I chose a sheltered route back to minimise the headwind. Still, the figures are disappointing.
The Arrow is nearly 30 years old and is showing signs.
Cracks
17°C, bright sun and light easterly.
The frame is cracked, I’m pretty sure. There is nothing to the touch inside the seat-tube, but the welds on the outside have many. It’s where the top-tube joins that’s the problem.
At least I can easily get the Racelite back on the road. There’s a few changes it needs. The handlebars are too low and too deep. They are old Cinelli 66-44 bars from the 90s. The reach is too deep such that they are unusable on the hooks.
2023: 1,004.3 miles
2°C, drizzle/sleet. Light grey and strengthening easterly wind.
Annual 1st quater target = met. That was the main reason for this ride though I have over a week before equinox (my self imposed deadline). We’re under Yellow Warning for snow, but there’s none.
Back on the bike.
6-9°C brisk SW wind, clear and sunny.
It’s been a while since the last bike ride. Icy weather has stopped me venturing out. Some days were so bad, I daren’t even go for a run. That means the default is the gym or at home, the turbo. I get ratty at these times and feel a constant fizzy agitated feeling in my limbs.
Back to normal now.
Micycle 