Mustang: in fog

Posted on 14th Nov 2024 by essiep

9°C, still with some sunshine, later – must turning into fog

Mustang: We’ve had a dry & warm November so far. It’s changing now and fog marks the change. As I’m on the mustang with Schwalbe CX30 tyres. I took a route off road in parts. Near Burscough, I turned down a tow paths through the worst of the fog. Mist turned to fog very quickly but there was no mention on the weather sites (BBC & Metoffice). The last 5 miles was rather stressful with the visibility. It’s not my view but that of any following vehicles that’s a concern.

The Arrow bike is in a bit of a state. I stopped riding it when the bottom bracket stripped the threads in the frame. Today, I pulled it out to clean it up. The chain is worn and the frame looks tatty, there are spots of rust in the paint. Should I scrap it?

Winter slog.

Posted on 20th Jan 2024 by essiep

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.

Midsummer Arrow

Posted on 22nd Jun 2023 by essiep

21°C, full sun

Riding the Arrow will keep me going this summer. It’s quite quick but noticeably flexy.

January: Busy with cyclists.

Posted on 29th Jan 2023 by essiep

Arrow: 7°C, grey with sun at the end. Building W. Dry.

It’s been a troublesome week with my Achilles tendonitis. Today is noticeably freer. I still can’t and daren’t push hard so the average speed is low. There were lots of club rides out and the café was packed. There was a tandem club there from, I believe, Bury.

2023 ride no.1

Posted on 1st Jan 2023 by essiep

8°C, sunny with light SE.

I’m still struggling with the bursitis (Achilles). The ankle stiffens up and can feel quite sharp. After a short break, it does loosen up. I have to concentrate on an even pressure on each leg.

Back to nil

Posted on 2nd Jan 2022 by essiep

13°C, moderate SW, dry and sunny (again).

Back on

Posted on 27th Nov 2021 by essiep

5°C, very strong N, dry and cold.

Had an unplanned layoff. That cold lasted 3 weeks. Then some days of bad weather to add to frustration. How I cursed it.

Anyway, I’m ventured out on the Arrow, I need gears in this wind. This building site has reduced the road to 1 lane for a good 300m, controlled by lights. I arrived on red and set off on the change to green. About 3/4 the way through, the opposing traffic came head on. The woman driving the Audi accused me of running a red light. I told her I went on green.

I was quite annoyed at this being neither ours faults. Quite why she thought it was ok to drive at oncoming traffic aside.

Corner well

Posted on 19th Feb 2021 by essiep

11°C, dry but strong S. Grey cloud.

In all my cycling, I can corner better than this guy. It’s obvious that he took the corner too fast, it’s not as if there was no warning. See the chevron signs behind. The car isn’t too badly damaged, the windscreen isn’t broken and the driver’s window is open. My guess is that he climbed out.

Anyway; cycling. The big feature was the wind. It’s very hard to make up for slow stretches, you never really get the speed back with a tailwind.

Warmer at last (+10°C)

Posted on 15th Feb 2021 by essiep

Arrow, 10°C, light S, sunny.

Clocking up the miles on the old Arrow. I’ve had this since 1994, a steel Audax bike. It needs some updating now. For a winter bike, it’s too low at the front and too stretched. The best idea is to choose new bars with some uplift and a shorter stem.

Hilly.

Posted on 29th Jan 2021 by essiep

9°C, calm, grey and damp.

Climbed Bannister Lane hill, twice. Once the north route and then the Parbold lane route. From the start, I could tell this would be a good ride. I’ve started from a low base since having Covid-19; now I’m building fitness rather than just recovering from that persistent virus.

Micycle

Mike thinks b/hikes

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