mybike
Grumblin at Garmin on the Granny Gear
- Location
- Not 'emel 'empstead
For quite a while I've been wondering about having an early morning ride. Not liking sun and warm weather I've been rather put off going out in the heat of the day. This morning it so happened that there was a bird making an awful racket outside which woke me at 5. So I got up, got the kit together that was around and went out for a ride at about 06:15.
One thing that did worry me was the likelihood of seeing, or rather not seeing in time, a cycling commuter hurtling through the bridges. As it happens, I did see a commuter on my way back, but only a glimpse because he was a fair distance away and travelling somewhat faster in the same direction as I.
I did see a few folk walking their dogs and a few running but it was pretty quiet with no boats moving. It was also colder than I expected, but I did build up a sweat. (checking the temperature in my garden, it seems it didn't go above 60 until after 7am)
As I joined the tow path I saw these ducks & geese, clearly awaiting the opening of the breakfast bar.
I was quite happily riding along when I realised there was a heron on the towpath ahead. I did stop but he was obviously playing the 'just out of range' game and flew a bit farther on. This was about as near as I was allowed to get. I keep referring to them as 'he' but I haven't a clue as to their gender.
A little further on I came across this gentleman, enjoying the morning sun. He was, however, not very talkative. This was on the approach to the bumpiest section of the ride where, having decided that my tires were lacking in pressure, I pumped them up to ~30lbs which made this section a little uncomfortable. I'd also tightened up the rear 'suspension' which now seems to have acquired a digital behaviour.
Mother swan was out with her cygnets, who still appear to have some growing to do. At least she didn't seem too perturbed by my presence.
While father was almost lost in the mist on the water.
All in all, it was quite successful, aside from the difficulty of seeing anything on the return trip south with the sun in my eyes. If I can only stir myself I might do it again. Not a great distance covered, and the same route as 7th July, tho' a mite faster.
Distance 6.2miles Duration 00:54:57 Max 19 Avg 7.3mph Total this year 207.9
One thing that did worry me was the likelihood of seeing, or rather not seeing in time, a cycling commuter hurtling through the bridges. As it happens, I did see a commuter on my way back, but only a glimpse because he was a fair distance away and travelling somewhat faster in the same direction as I.
I did see a few folk walking their dogs and a few running but it was pretty quiet with no boats moving. It was also colder than I expected, but I did build up a sweat. (checking the temperature in my garden, it seems it didn't go above 60 until after 7am)
As I joined the tow path I saw these ducks & geese, clearly awaiting the opening of the breakfast bar.
I was quite happily riding along when I realised there was a heron on the towpath ahead. I did stop but he was obviously playing the 'just out of range' game and flew a bit farther on. This was about as near as I was allowed to get. I keep referring to them as 'he' but I haven't a clue as to their gender.
A little further on I came across this gentleman, enjoying the morning sun. He was, however, not very talkative. This was on the approach to the bumpiest section of the ride where, having decided that my tires were lacking in pressure, I pumped them up to ~30lbs which made this section a little uncomfortable. I'd also tightened up the rear 'suspension' which now seems to have acquired a digital behaviour.
Mother swan was out with her cygnets, who still appear to have some growing to do. At least she didn't seem too perturbed by my presence.
While father was almost lost in the mist on the water.
All in all, it was quite successful, aside from the difficulty of seeing anything on the return trip south with the sun in my eyes. If I can only stir myself I might do it again. Not a great distance covered, and the same route as 7th July, tho' a mite faster.
Distance 6.2miles Duration 00:54:57 Max 19 Avg 7.3mph Total this year 207.9
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), then round and back down Sherburn Road to warm up, then local roads down to Cross gates and up Manston Lane where I've spotted a course on MapMyRide that I thought I'd have a go at. Improved my previous time by over a minute (although that was on the hybrid) but still a bit to go to catch the leader who is currently 22 seconds faster than me - curse that blooming wind.
Deffo not warm enough today for that.
Bloody stupid grockles.
So he felt that he could be a bit odd with me, how would he have liked it if I had said 'your bike is too underpowered for a lardass to ride'? Not very much, I would think.
