Wednesday 7th February
Decided to go in again on the bike - third day running this week.
Yesterday was very cold in both directions - probably about -5C.
This had three effects worth mentioning:
1) reduced the air pressure in my tyres (Charles' Law)
2) made the grease in my hub gears more viscous (I forget whose law that is)
3) almost made my big toes drop off (Le Singe de Bronze principle)
Overall, cost me about 10 minutes on my journey time each way.
After the ride decided to pump up tyres and lube the chain.
This morning still very cold (maybe -3C), but I arrived in a very respectable (for me) 1hr. 01min. Well at least we can expect it to be a little warmer when we do the actual ride.
After several hundred miles, my Nexus hub must be just about run-in. Wish the same could be said of my knee-joints.
Decided to go in again on the bike - third day running this week.
Yesterday was very cold in both directions - probably about -5C.
This had three effects worth mentioning:
1) reduced the air pressure in my tyres (Charles' Law)
2) made the grease in my hub gears more viscous (I forget whose law that is)
3) almost made my big toes drop off (Le Singe de Bronze principle)
Overall, cost me about 10 minutes on my journey time each way.
After the ride decided to pump up tyres and lube the chain.
This morning still very cold (maybe -3C), but I arrived in a very respectable (for me) 1hr. 01min. Well at least we can expect it to be a little warmer when we do the actual ride.
After several hundred miles, my Nexus hub must be just about run-in. Wish the same could be said of my knee-joints.
Monday 12th February
Feeling pretty good this morning (at first). Normally I just engage the small “Granny-what-sharp-24-tooth-dentures-you-have” front chainring before I hit the big hill. Today I was up for tackling the steep bit in the middle ring (and 1st gear at the back of course). Well, that foolhardy effort backfired when I bottled out, went for granny, and the front changer, miffed that I’d ignored it all morning, petulantly threw the chain onto the bottom bracket, and flounced off in a huff. After some kind words of encouragement (gnarg!), it decided to co-operate again, so I was back on my way, with nowt but an oily finger and thumb.
Coming home seemed a bit harder in parts, as the wind had freshened, and was definitely against me on the last couple of mile stretch. However, managed to miss the heavy showers in both directions, so was pretty chuffed.
No personal best times yet, but the return journey was done non-stop for a change. Usually I have to have a stoke-up with an energy bar about half-way to avoid the bonk (it’s all just cycle-logical you know).
Feeling pretty good this morning (at first). Normally I just engage the small “Granny-what-sharp-24-tooth-dentures-you-have” front chainring before I hit the big hill. Today I was up for tackling the steep bit in the middle ring (and 1st gear at the back of course). Well, that foolhardy effort backfired when I bottled out, went for granny, and the front changer, miffed that I’d ignored it all morning, petulantly threw the chain onto the bottom bracket, and flounced off in a huff. After some kind words of encouragement (gnarg!), it decided to co-operate again, so I was back on my way, with nowt but an oily finger and thumb.
Coming home seemed a bit harder in parts, as the wind had freshened, and was definitely against me on the last couple of mile stretch. However, managed to miss the heavy showers in both directions, so was pretty chuffed.
No personal best times yet, but the return journey was done non-stop for a change. Usually I have to have a stoke-up with an energy bar about half-way to avoid the bonk (it’s all just cycle-logical you know).
Wednesday 14th February
So, another 3 days of commuting done. And only got slightly wet, not bad for Feb.
There is still a little bit of snow on the tops - which arrived last Thursday and Friday (my non-cycling days). There's more on the Halifax side of the moor than the Oxenhope side. There are more birds singing in the morning and it's getting steadily lighter. Still keep my lights on all the way, though.
Tune rolling round my head this morning "Broken Household Appliance, National Forest" by Grandaddy (who needs iPods?) This usually comes on when I pass the dumped TV up on the moors.
This morning's time was just under 1 hour. Somehow 59 mins seems so much better (we'll quietly ignore the 52 seconds). Broke the speed limit down Pellon Lane (34mph). Coming back it was bright with a strong headwind on the last leg, so 1 hour 8 mins was all I could manage.
Got a new mirror for the bike - it's a Zefal Spy. Fitted it in haste last night in a dark garage. So on the way in I realised the view rearward was blocked by my pannier. Have now mounted it on the crossbar - hope that my bandy legs will not get in the way. I did have a helmet mounted mirror a few years ago, but I didn't take to it. More reflections on mirrors later (hah!).
So, another 3 days of commuting done. And only got slightly wet, not bad for Feb.
There is still a little bit of snow on the tops - which arrived last Thursday and Friday (my non-cycling days). There's more on the Halifax side of the moor than the Oxenhope side. There are more birds singing in the morning and it's getting steadily lighter. Still keep my lights on all the way, though.
Tune rolling round my head this morning "Broken Household Appliance, National Forest" by Grandaddy (who needs iPods?) This usually comes on when I pass the dumped TV up on the moors.
This morning's time was just under 1 hour. Somehow 59 mins seems so much better (we'll quietly ignore the 52 seconds). Broke the speed limit down Pellon Lane (34mph). Coming back it was bright with a strong headwind on the last leg, so 1 hour 8 mins was all I could manage.
Got a new mirror for the bike - it's a Zefal Spy. Fitted it in haste last night in a dark garage. So on the way in I realised the view rearward was blocked by my pannier. Have now mounted it on the crossbar - hope that my bandy legs will not get in the way. I did have a helmet mounted mirror a few years ago, but I didn't take to it. More reflections on mirrors later (hah!).
1 comment:
Mr King is a comedy genius. King of the Road some might say. We are eagerly waiting the next installment of his magical cycling escapades.
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