So this is the cycling blog. Let’s get one thing clear to start with – the intended audience is me in the future not you. So no apologies for being typically Roger long-winded, it’s to help me remember things. Continue reading “Hello world!”
Category: Years
The plan is …
So this year I turn 65 (on 15th Sept in case you didn’t know) and I can claim both my state pension and also a couple of other employment pensions – upshot I can retire. Or as I prefer to think of it I will be released back into the wild after a period of 41 years of captivity as a wage slave. Continue reading “The plan is …”
Deadman’s Cross to Exeter: Prologue
Set off from Launceston to drive to Exeter in a torrential downpour but had eased for the brief ride to the station. Met on the platform by a GWR staffer who arranged to have the front luggage compartment unlocked since I was changing at Westbury – a better service than getting to Westbury and finding the cycle wagon is off the platform (as happened before). Gold star for GWR. ? Continue reading “Deadman’s Cross to Exeter: Prologue”
Woodfield to DMX : Three little bits
Set off from Woodfield in sunshine along Spinney Lane and onto the Salterns path into Chi. 11.6km this way as a more roundabout back street way into the city than along the canal. Slow 15km/hr owing to rough surfaces, pedestrians and twisty bits. Continue reading “Woodfield to DMX : Three little bits”
Day 1 : DMX to Buckingham
Strictly speaking only half a day as I spent the morning with Katy and Eilidh and left at half past one. 61km, moving average 16.4km/hr, total time 4hrs 12 minus. Continue reading “Day 1 : DMX to Buckingham”
Day 2 : Buckingham to Cricklade
107km, 6hrs 19min moving at 16.9km/hr average. Left at 08:45 and arrived at 16:46 so 8hrs and a minute total. Grey at first, sun came out in afternoon.
Interesting undulating countryside moving from the land of brick to the land of honey coloured stone and thatch as heading into the Cotswold edges.
Day 3 : Cricklade to Bristol
69.7km in 3hrs 58min moving giving rolling average speed of 17.9km/hr (shame, it was 18.0 at the bottom of the Bristol Railway cycle path). Depart at 08:55 and arrive at 13:35 so 4hrs 40min total. Rain for first 20km then grey with occasional patches of light refreshing drizzle. Not cold. Continue reading “Day 3 : Cricklade to Bristol”
Day 4 : Bristol to Compton Dundon
69.7km at a rolling average of 15.1km/hr. Left Bristol at 12:05 arrived at 17:45 Lower average speed owing to several walking bits where the Strawberry Line cycle path was closed for waterworks and where I found myself on a lumpy muddy clay footpath – thanks Ms Osm 🙁 . Weather some sunshine and very heavy showers.
Oh and yes I did actually have to get off and walk one very short very steep hill that I attacked wrong somewhere around Wedmore. Continue reading “Day 4 : Bristol to Compton Dundon”
Day 5 : Compton Dundon to Exeter
97.5km in 6hrs 29 mins in the saddle giving a rolling average of 15.0. Departed 09:15 and arrived back at the car 17:20 so 8hrs total. Weather basically grey and dry with occasional very light drizzle but never enough to even feel on the face.
Should have been a fairly straightforward long day but turned out the the section from Cullompton to Exeter had brutal never ending hills which knocked the average speed right back. Continue reading “Day 5 : Compton Dundon to Exeter”
Of Mapping, Routing, Paper & Screens
I have always loved maps and charts. A good map is a gateway to a world of adventure and story. Maps have always meant paper; the way they fold and can be annotated. The way they can be laid out to show the whole territory and aligned to bearing and direction. Lines plotted and position found. The way you can zoom in to the area of interest and the finest detail. Continue reading “Of Mapping, Routing, Paper & Screens”