10°C, SW wind and some soft drizzle
To close a rather satisfying# day with a blast on the bike. I rode the Arrow despite it being somewhat poorly. It has a slow puncture and a knackered chainset. Still, the ride went well. The replacement campag record chainset is due to arrive on friday.
#: The satisfaction comes from DIY. The chimney breast is plastered with base coat and I stopped when I ran out of Skim coat.
Windswept flats, a decent route with enough variety for a winter ride. This outing follows a long walk yesterday to clear my legs.
5°C, strong SW wind with showers.
This is what DofE leaders do in the off season.
We met up in Carrog to try out a route that is intended for the silver and gold groups at Easter.
The conditions were okay, if you’re dressed correctly. Luckily, the wind was on our backs during the most exposed sections. The only problem was navigating rural land where there were no signs. In one place, the bridal path passes through a private garden. There was no indication on the closed gate that there exists a right of way. The kids will be confused and probably become lost here.
8°C, dry with a light S.
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3368791732
Lots of energy but a mechanical problem spoilt things. The left crank worked loose after only 3 miles. I made it to a car dealer who helped out. My set of Allen keys omits the 7mm needed for the crank-bolt. A few times I had to take up the slack with a 6mm.
Although it was stressful worrying whether the crank would fall off, I had a fallback option. I rode as hard as I could to increase the distance between stops. That meant training effect. One stop was outside a house in Sollom where a guy was closing the gate. He said he had Allen keys so I gave the bolt a good go. Nice chap.
The next stage was okay but the front wheel picked up a thorn on the cycle track. These hedges get clipped but not swept. That one factor accounts for the large numbrr of punctures i get in Lancashire. Staffordshire doesn’t have anything like the amount of cycle tracks so fewer punctures.
Since getting home, I have tightened up the crank fully but it still wobbles, it’s damaged permanently. It’s old I suppose – 27 years.
Currently, I have placed a bid on eBay for an identical replacement.
8°C rain, sometimes heavy.
No link to MapMyRide, there is a fault which means that uploading tracks takes several days. I suspect a server fault.
There, the upload took two days despite the rain, I did belt along after days of frustration with no proper rides
4°C, slight NE breeze. patches of ice seen but blue sky.
This was the longer of the two. Fortunately, the puncture happened in the last 2 miles. So close to home, I decided to walk back rather than change the tube in falling temperature.
Some cycling logs are waiting here. Maymyride have screwed up leaving me unable to upload 2 tracks. The app freezes when I attempt to log a fault ticket.
Both rides were in very cold conditions, there was ice on the ground but the sun shone.
6°C, gales from the northern approaches. Sunny.
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3352071103
That wind is just rude and annoying. Just when it thinks you aren’t looking, it grabs the handlebars and gives them a twist. Slogging into a head-crosswind, you sometimes have to lock one elbow simply to hold a line. The Moss flats offer no real shelter from the blast and the camber of the road amplifies the force. The curve is like an aerofoil which accelerates the air over the top. Staying on the crest is, therefore, more difficult. Though short, that was an intensive workout on the return leg. I saw no other cyclists.
8°C, dry and sunny with a brisk W.
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3348057034
Though dry, black peaty mud made it from the fields to the tarmac, those surfaces were not as slippery as they appeared.
It stopped at the Twin Lakes Velo for coffee. They make beautiful espresso, such depth and richness. Each sip is a series of flavours, after the bitter initial explosion, there are distinct phases to tollow in each tiny sip. Nuts, woody sweetness and a glissade towards the time that another sip is due. It’s ironic that such a small cup needs to be drunk over such a long time.
5°C, light cloud and no wind.
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3348057034
This steel bridge is on my route to work. Today’s ride was more relaxed with enough time to stop for photos. The galvanized slats make a terrible noise as you ride over. The noise is so bad that your ears ring afterwards. I detest that bridge. Remarkable is how full the River Douglass.
Where are those overshoes, I really need them? With half of my stuff in boxes, there remain things I cannot find yet.
Micycle 