Today's Bike Ride

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

There is little point in riding to the Yorkshire tourist promenade hot spots to display one's finely honed physique in deepest February - for want of tourists. Instead a typical pootle is via Addingham to the Craven Arms - the one made famous by Mr Brightside - and then on to Embsay passing under the railway line serving the Cracoe quarry before passing the steam railway that connects Embsay to Bolton Bridge (for Bolton Abbey) and then down the 40 mph long descent to Bolton Bridge and back to Addingham and Heavens Waiting Room (aka Ilkley).


Today I added a loop through the lovely hamlet of Stirton, made famous by RO extraordinaire, Sue Weeden (usually hindered in her duties by Mr Weeden) which allowed a sprint up the sensitively named Bog Lane which was the nasty, brutish and not so short start to races organised by the aforesaid Mrs Weeden. Drizzle from above and greasy dirt splattering from under one's skinny tyres. I love February.

Just 27 miles (2200 feet) but 51 miles in 4 days this week so far.

Cycling - what's not to like?

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Drizzle from above and greasy dirt splattering from under one's skinny tyres!

In all seriousness, other than a short commute, I have been woefully lacking on the bike of late but that has been mainly due to a running injury I'm trying to resolve.
I'm sure when lighter, longer days kick in, the road bike will at last be unleashed from it's winter home and break free from the rollers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

There is little point in riding to the Yorkshire tourist promenade hot spots to display one's finely honed physique in deepest February - for want of tourists. Instead a typical pootle is via Addingham to the Craven Arms - the one made famous by Mr Brightside - and then on to Embsay passing under the railway line serving the Cracoe quarry before passing the steam railway that connects Embsay to Bolton Bridge (for Bolton Abbey) and then down the 40 mph long descent to Bolton Bridge and back to Addingham and Heavens Waiting Room (aka Ilkley).

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In Craven Arms related news, with the revenue from the sale of his Bentley, David as purchased something called an Austin A7. The photo he showed me could be described as one of a tin box on wheels, with a fine glass display cabinet sat atop. Excellent carpentry work by the looks of it, possibly coachbuilt. The Merlin engined roller is still a WIP.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

Today I added a loop through the lovely hamlet of Stirton, made famous by RO extraordinaire, Sue Weeden (usually hindered in her duties by Mr Weeden) which allowed a sprint up the sensitively named Bog Lane which was the nasty, brutish and not so short start to races organised by the aforesaid Mrs Weeden. Drizzle from above and greasy dirt splattering from under one's skinny tyres. I love February.

Just 27 miles (2200 feet) but 51 miles in 4 days this week so far.

Cycling - what's not to like?

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Buy some mudguards.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mr brightside

In Craven Arms related news, with the revenue from the sale of his Bentley, David as purchased something called an Austin A7. The photo he showed me could be described as one of a tin box on wheels, with a fine glass display cabinet sat atop. Excellent carpentry work by the looks of it, possibly coachbuilt. The Merlin engined roller is still a WIP.



Buy some mudguards.

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Horror! They would spoil the sleek line I wish to present when at speed. I don't even have a bag under my saddle.

Today a purchase to be made in the nearby town of Keighley provided the impetus for a 30 mile ride. I like riding, and therefore not driving, on errands. It makes me feel self-righteous knowing I am saving the planet for others and today when I arrived the item had been discounted so I received an extra financial bonus as well as reserving my place in heaven. A further benefit is that I don't need to take any lights because my halo is so bright it suffices.

Yesterday the DT reported that "drivers say aggressive cyclists are threat to their safety" (sic).

I am unclear if this aggression manifests itself by cyclists ramming tanks masquerading as Range Rovers causing agonising death to the drivers or that cyclists have been seen waving a gentle hand to warn off a speeding-and-passing-too-close BMW driver.

The report in the DT was, alas, unclear although what has been abundantly clear for some time is that the DT just does not like cyclists.

Strange or what?:)

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Originally Posted by Marco

I would recommend, however, that you have a practice run of taking off, and putting back, your rear wheel. If I was in your position I would make sure I'd done it at home in dry conditions, so I knew what tools and techniques were required, before venturing away from home.

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I eventually did this, but only because the rear wheel nuts had loosened, allowing the wheel to go out of alignment. The actual process of disconnecting and reconnecting the cable for the Shimano Alfine gears took about 10 seconds, but that was after about 15 minutes of fiddling; I know that dyspraxia is a word derived from Greek, but what is the Greek-derived word for the fear [phobia] of doing mechanical operations?

Mechanophobia

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Originally Posted by PeteS

Mechanophobia

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Sounds nasty and terminal.

When I was 19 I spent 6 weeks in the steam locomotive work shop of a NCB colliery during which time we replaced the white metal bearings on one of the locos.

That might have been my damascene experience to becoming an engineer.

Stirton, renamed a few years ago to commemorate the life of Rob.

It was his anniversary a couple of days ago

Shame the race is no more

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

Today I added a loop through the lovely hamlet of Stirton, made famous by RO extraordinaire, Sue Weeden (usually hindered in her duties by Mr Weeden) which allowed a sprint up the sensitively named Bog Lane which was the nasty, brutish and not so short start to races organised by the aforesaid Mrs Weeden. Drizzle from above and greasy dirt splattering from under one's skinny tyres. I love February.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

Sounds nasty and terminal.

When I was 19 I spent 6 weeks in the steam locomotive work shop of a NCB colliery during which time we replaced the white metal bearings on one of the locos.

That might have been my damascene experience to becoming an engineer.

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Did it really take 6 weeks to replace the bearings on one train?

I wasn't being paid very much:)