Feed some goats.

Posted on 15th Jun 2015 by essiep

13°C, dull and some slight drizzle.
I rode Fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 55.7mi, time: 03:28:15, pace: 3:44min/mi, speed: 16.1mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1028530015
A fairly ordinary ride on the Paddywagon. Start was late while I waited for some light rain to finish. The day steadily picked up and I met some amusing goats.

They were interested to see me, more so when I pulled a beech leaf nor them to eat. The others ran over when they saw that. Another reached up trying to get more from the tree. He tried so hard to reach, even stretching his tongue to hook the leaf. No good, it was just too high.

15.3

Posted on 12th Jul 2014 by essiep

22C, milky close, rain to come.
The most annoying punctures, more annoying than the other annoying punctures happen at home. This one hissed itself flat when I pulled the pump head off the value. The effort of flicking that lever and pulling it off after blowing up to pressure has split the tube at the value base.

And on the ether hand, my weight is coming down. Cycling is more fun when I weigh less than 14st.7. For the last month or two, I have been over 15st. I topped 15st.7 which is way too much.
I blame snacking and no twice daily dog walk.
Parti-poodles look like a good choice. I may even get a lad next time.
Cycling-

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Fixed the longest.

Posted on 29th Jun 2014 by essiep

18C, N breeze, bright sun.
I rode fixed- Distance: 72.17mi, time: 04:42:03, pace: 3:54min/mi, speed: 15.3mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/626397815
This is most likely my longest ride on a fixed gear bike. I sometimes claim that riding fixed is worth about 10% distance on top of a geared ride. Also, I got up Bannister hill without too much difficulty. I got over the top gasping, but not painfully so. Not bad when I am still over 15 stone.

A great day in the saddle.

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Posted from a mobile.

Long, slow and hot.

Posted on 22nd Jun 2014 by essiep

23C, still and sunny.
Rode summer bike: Distance: 79.75mi, time: 05:23:29, pace: 4:03min/mi, speed: 14.8mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/617338239
Passed through Heather with a tall oily black column of smoke from the north. It looked as if it came from a farmyard near the open cast quarry. Watching the billowing, almost solid looking forms developing from the deep orange flames was strangely fascinating.

later, on mile 68, I overtook some portly blokes on bikes who were weaving about noticeably. I gave then a wide berth. They startled me after a few minutes by passing me at speed. They still rode bow-legged on their basic looking mountain bikes. But there was something different about them, they made a whirring noise and had huge front hubs. They were on electric bikes! Both caught up with other similar looking men who were also distinctly fat.
I would be impressed if the bikes could charge up on descents, or from rider’s effort. It would be great if they had started the ride with no charge today.

Here is another view of the fire from about 3/4 mile.
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Posted from a mobile.

14*3

Posted on 28th Aug 2013 by essiep

CK:Distance: 32.73mi, time: 02:01:37, pace: 3:43min/mi, speed: 16.15mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/36823944
I hoped to get weight down this summer so I can enjoy cycling more. 200lbs seemed a good number to aim for.
Well, here I am, 198lbs. It won’t last though. Normally, I gain half a stone in the winter. That itself is not such a problem, it’s good to have some resources in case you get ill.
As an aside–

This is the tree stump where I have cooked supper in Glen Coe over the last three years. Nostalgic moment.

Last card.

Posted on 27th Aug 2013 by essiep

Today’s ride: CR-Distance: 55.32mi, time: 03:31:23, pace: 3:49min/mi, speed: 15.70mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/366243771

last week of the holiday and a mountain of marking looms. England’s weather did a grand job of welcoming us back from the med. Temperatures reached 24C, even higher out of the shade.
As always, I ride better the further I go. The first ten miles were stiff and un-natural in feel. But after twenty miles, and numerous short bursts out of the saddle, the good feeling came back.
A problem next week will be sitting at work when I am used to long periods of exercise. I can sympathise with the restless kids though.

Short sharp hike.

Posted on 21st Aug 2013 by essiep

I walked Distance: 2.20mi, time: 01:27:56, speed: 1.50mi/h.
http://mapmyhike.com/workout/363026325

Dry and dusty in comparison to last time I walked this way. Even the dried out thistles were gone.

Downpour

Posted on 23rd Jul 2013 by essiep

21°C, thunderstorms,

Woke early to the sound of thunder, later came the downpour to beat all.

Arrow ride tracked with MapMyRide! Distance: 42.79mi, time: 02:42:39, pace: 3:48min/mi, speed: 15.78mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/335549677
I went out on the Arrow after the rain fearing that more was to come. None did, but the bike handles well enough for a summer ride.

Devastation.

Posted on 18th Jul 2013 by essiep

27°C, milky start.
I feel loss- the dog’s favourite field hat been cut. The grasses have turned to seed and well. But those spectacular thistles are wiped out too, just as they reached flowering. Shame, because I enjoyed their magnificent growth this year. Yesterday, they were taller than me. Now, all gone. I feel the loss.
Maybe sentimental I know, maybe they had to be cut to reduce the fire risk. It’s all dry and yellow here in this heat-wave.

200lbs.

Posted on 16th Jul 2013 by essiep

27°C, clear but muggy.
I’d enjoy cycling more if I were to loose some weight. Currently 14st 9lbs but I feel a bit squidgy round the waist. If I take off 5lbs that makes a round 200lbs, a good figure to aim for.
With that I could hill-climb with confidence, perhaps ride with a club more often.

Rosie cooling off on the slabs.

Micycle

Mike thinks b/hikes

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