Saturday 23rd June 2007
Went to York Cycle Rally. The rain held off while we were there. The trade stands are always a good source of bargains. Bought a few bits of equipment, and some clothing to wear on the ride. Could have spent a great deal more, but managed to restrain myself. Georgina and I have now got matching Camelbaks (we already had matching knees).
Sunday 24th June 2007
Checked the bird book re: the owls I saw last week. Think they may have been the “Short-eared” variety.
Strikes me I haven’t mentioned much on the “energy bar” front. Well I seem to have settled on Nature Valley Granola Bars. Kind of dry, but with crystalline sugary bits – just add lemonade for a nice porridge shandy. The bicycle song is taking shape, adopting the folk theme seems to be a fruitful route. Continue to watch this space.
Replaced the rear sprocket on the Lead Balloon, the old one was 20T, the replacement 21T. This means slightly lower gearing all round. As George Stephenson said to his son Robert "Howay bonnie lad, it's not Rocket science, y'knaa". Anyway, this gives me a 15” bottom, if you’ll pardon the expression. Should make for an easier time up the Big Hill. (See photo).
Monday 25th June 2007
Gave the bike a miss this morning in view of the dreadful weather. Rain and high winds have been forecast, and the rain is here. I don't fancy a gale force Northerly on the way home.
Tuesday 26th June 2007
Been loads of flooding in places like Sheffield, some fatalities, and zillions of pounds worth of damage. Thankful to live up in the hills where we do. This feeling doesn't last long when I tackle the Big Hill after a lay-off of 5 days. The weather is merciful, though, with cool Nor'-by-Nor'-West wind and watery sun.
Guarding against all eventualities, I am wearing new pair of undershorts bought from the Polaris stall at York rally. They give you that 5-pounds thinner tummy tuck, and incorporate what resembles a large incontinence pad at the gusset.
At the top another placard! "Can you hear the curlews?" with a rather charming caricature of a curlew painted on. I recognise that style as Georgina’s. But she's in Lancaster. Suspect some collusion with Jonathan. Anyway, yes I can hear them today.
I'm back on "High Water Everywhere" by Bob Dylan in recognition of the road-river I'm cycling along. The Wind turbines have their noses to the north, except that there's always one non-conformist who's looking the other way, and refuses to turn. Who rattled your blades, guv’nor?
Great news: Georgina has graduated, with First Class Honours. I'm one proud dad!
"Die neue unterkekken sint wunderbar!" Very comfy and protective.
Time out 0:54 (get thee behind me, o windy gusts)
Leaving Dean Clough, poor old Garmin is struggling under a cloudy sky, and asks for another go at locating satellites. I give him a second chance, as we do have the steep North face of the clough on our right. He eventually gets his bearings, and places me slightly to the right of the A629 for a while, like yesterday.
Thought for the day:
"If the trams came back wouldn't that be smart."
"Yes, but if the trolleybuses came back that would be sesubyellort."
Return 0:57 (despite strong North West headwind into village)
Wednesday 27th June 2007
Struggled up the Big Hill with the rain just starting. Ice cold rain fell on me. Journey was a pain, lightened only by curlews at close quarters. Please lord, get me down off this hill, soonest.
Tune for today "Sport (the odd boy)" by the Bonzo Dog Band ("Give him an ice cold shower!"). Just when you thought you couldn't get any wetter, the rain intensified, and you just got wetter. Anyone for bog-snorkling? Pity any poor s*d doing the End to End this week.
Time out 1:00 (dead - or drown-ded)
At lunchtime, decided to investigate floor 8. The forbidden domain. I thought Rapunzel would be a bit reluctant to take me there, so decided to sneak surreptitiously up the stairs. At the top, I was confronted by a locked door (none shall pass!) leading onto the unused floor. Peering through a dusty pane in the door, I could dimly pick out the outline of the glazed roof, over a wide expanse of empty floor-space. Dust, peeling paintwork, cast-iron columns supporting the roof. These go right down to the vaults, getting progressively thicker on the lower floors, in view of the load they have to bear. In the dungeon where the bike is left, you can feel the oppressive weight of tons of masonry and metal trying to crush the lower columns.
Imagined this mill in years gone by, a hive of physical activity, churning out mile after mile of Axminsters. The yarn weavers, washers, carders, spinners, bleachers and dyers must have endured a harsh environment in the industrial West Riding (life’s a bleach and then you dye). All quiet now on floor 8.
Came away none the wiser, furtively descending the way I’d arrived, in case either of the Rapunzels should detect an intruder into their eyrie.
Return 1:00 (not bad considering another brisk headwind up Long Causeway)
Thursday 28th June 2007
Went for a training run this afternoon to Silsden and back. This was to shake down the Orbit as much as anything else. Approximately 16 miles covered in well under 2 hours, taking in some hilly terrain, and stopping on a couple of occasions to fine tune the set up of the bars and saddle, and pump the back tyre up till it hurt (in more ways than one). The Brooks titanium railed saddle was quite comfortable in a Spartan sort of way, once I’d positioned it correctly. The whole bike hung together OK, but the rear spokes are a bit loose, so will have to do something with a spoke key. I have yet to fit a cycle computer, so all figures are approximate.
I had been hoping to meet Jacky, who was walking the canal bank to prepare for a future school event, but missed her. Got wet on the return journey, as it started to rain.
Went to York Cycle Rally. The rain held off while we were there. The trade stands are always a good source of bargains. Bought a few bits of equipment, and some clothing to wear on the ride. Could have spent a great deal more, but managed to restrain myself. Georgina and I have now got matching Camelbaks (we already had matching knees).
Sunday 24th June 2007
Checked the bird book re: the owls I saw last week. Think they may have been the “Short-eared” variety.
Strikes me I haven’t mentioned much on the “energy bar” front. Well I seem to have settled on Nature Valley Granola Bars. Kind of dry, but with crystalline sugary bits – just add lemonade for a nice porridge shandy. The bicycle song is taking shape, adopting the folk theme seems to be a fruitful route. Continue to watch this space.
Replaced the rear sprocket on the Lead Balloon, the old one was 20T, the replacement 21T. This means slightly lower gearing all round. As George Stephenson said to his son Robert "Howay bonnie lad, it's not Rocket science, y'knaa". Anyway, this gives me a 15” bottom, if you’ll pardon the expression. Should make for an easier time up the Big Hill. (See photo).
Monday 25th June 2007
Gave the bike a miss this morning in view of the dreadful weather. Rain and high winds have been forecast, and the rain is here. I don't fancy a gale force Northerly on the way home.
Tuesday 26th June 2007
Been loads of flooding in places like Sheffield, some fatalities, and zillions of pounds worth of damage. Thankful to live up in the hills where we do. This feeling doesn't last long when I tackle the Big Hill after a lay-off of 5 days. The weather is merciful, though, with cool Nor'-by-Nor'-West wind and watery sun.
Guarding against all eventualities, I am wearing new pair of undershorts bought from the Polaris stall at York rally. They give you that 5-pounds thinner tummy tuck, and incorporate what resembles a large incontinence pad at the gusset.
At the top another placard! "Can you hear the curlews?" with a rather charming caricature of a curlew painted on. I recognise that style as Georgina’s. But she's in Lancaster. Suspect some collusion with Jonathan. Anyway, yes I can hear them today.
I'm back on "High Water Everywhere" by Bob Dylan in recognition of the road-river I'm cycling along. The Wind turbines have their noses to the north, except that there's always one non-conformist who's looking the other way, and refuses to turn. Who rattled your blades, guv’nor?
Great news: Georgina has graduated, with First Class Honours. I'm one proud dad!
"Die neue unterkekken sint wunderbar!" Very comfy and protective.
Time out 0:54 (get thee behind me, o windy gusts)
Leaving Dean Clough, poor old Garmin is struggling under a cloudy sky, and asks for another go at locating satellites. I give him a second chance, as we do have the steep North face of the clough on our right. He eventually gets his bearings, and places me slightly to the right of the A629 for a while, like yesterday.
Thought for the day:
"If the trams came back wouldn't that be smart."
"Yes, but if the trolleybuses came back that would be sesubyellort."
Return 0:57 (despite strong North West headwind into village)
Wednesday 27th June 2007
Struggled up the Big Hill with the rain just starting. Ice cold rain fell on me. Journey was a pain, lightened only by curlews at close quarters. Please lord, get me down off this hill, soonest.
Tune for today "Sport (the odd boy)" by the Bonzo Dog Band ("Give him an ice cold shower!"). Just when you thought you couldn't get any wetter, the rain intensified, and you just got wetter. Anyone for bog-snorkling? Pity any poor s*d doing the End to End this week.
Time out 1:00 (dead - or drown-ded)
At lunchtime, decided to investigate floor 8. The forbidden domain. I thought Rapunzel would be a bit reluctant to take me there, so decided to sneak surreptitiously up the stairs. At the top, I was confronted by a locked door (none shall pass!) leading onto the unused floor. Peering through a dusty pane in the door, I could dimly pick out the outline of the glazed roof, over a wide expanse of empty floor-space. Dust, peeling paintwork, cast-iron columns supporting the roof. These go right down to the vaults, getting progressively thicker on the lower floors, in view of the load they have to bear. In the dungeon where the bike is left, you can feel the oppressive weight of tons of masonry and metal trying to crush the lower columns.
Imagined this mill in years gone by, a hive of physical activity, churning out mile after mile of Axminsters. The yarn weavers, washers, carders, spinners, bleachers and dyers must have endured a harsh environment in the industrial West Riding (life’s a bleach and then you dye). All quiet now on floor 8.
Came away none the wiser, furtively descending the way I’d arrived, in case either of the Rapunzels should detect an intruder into their eyrie.
Return 1:00 (not bad considering another brisk headwind up Long Causeway)
Thursday 28th June 2007
Went for a training run this afternoon to Silsden and back. This was to shake down the Orbit as much as anything else. Approximately 16 miles covered in well under 2 hours, taking in some hilly terrain, and stopping on a couple of occasions to fine tune the set up of the bars and saddle, and pump the back tyre up till it hurt (in more ways than one). The Brooks titanium railed saddle was quite comfortable in a Spartan sort of way, once I’d positioned it correctly. The whole bike hung together OK, but the rear spokes are a bit loose, so will have to do something with a spoke key. I have yet to fit a cycle computer, so all figures are approximate.
I had been hoping to meet Jacky, who was walking the canal bank to prepare for a future school event, but missed her. Got wet on the return journey, as it started to rain.
No comments:
Post a Comment