Getting to grips with new computer and software

First bike ride of 2015

Distance: 10.19 miles

Average speed: 7.8 mph

Maximum speed: 14 mph

It's been a while since trusty steed left the shed. Yesterday I braved the elements (cold but not windy) and set off for the first bike ride of the year. The cycle path was relatively free of walkers and dogs, so a good start.

The river was quite high and as I passed along I noticed a pheasant. Pheasants have a reputation of not being the brightest of birds and this one seemed to confirm that reputation: unless it had aspirations to be a duck.

There was lots of debris around, not sure whether the wind or human hand had placed it there.

I stopped off for a warming cup of tea to find the cafe full of "real" cyclists, all lycra clinging clad (in contrast, my multi layered look was more of the Nanook of the north sartorial elegance). I had a really interesting conversation with one of the guys I shared a table with. He told me he had cycled 38 miles averaging 18mph before stopping for a coffee break. I kept quiet about my need for a rest after a mere 6 miles, or the fact that I could only achieve speeds just entering two figures if I pushed the pedals rather than my usual freewheeling down any slight incline.

I rode onto Glasson Dock and watched seagulls skittering on the ice, but couldn't get a picture of any of them in action.

Primograf

I recently bought this amazing piece of craftsmanship.

Stop motion rainy day activity

Cycle ride to Hest Bank along the canal

Distance: 14.39 miles
Average speed: 6.7 mph
Maximum speed: 15.7 mph

Today's outing took me along the canal to Hest Bank and then down into Morecambe and home to Lancaster.

Note to self .... check out cafe times for winter hours. The cafe I aimed for for morning snackette is closed on an autumn Wednesday.

I fixed the camera to the handlebars and set it to take pictures en route every minute on the way out, every thirty seconds on the way back. The following are a selection from the 100 or so pictures that were taken.

Leaving the house, cycling along the river and past the Millennium bridge.

Through the underpass and out onto the cycle path towards the aqueduct. The path up to the aqueduct has "gates" that need to be negotiated. I managed to cycle through all but the last two as my momentum flagged and pushing the bike seemed the easier option.

The canal bridges are quite a challenge; it's a case of bell ringing and hoping for the best that no-one else is coming from the opposite direction as the cobbles under the bridges make steering quite difficult.

Off the canal tow path and into Hest Bank, all primed up for a coffee and something to eat. I had to wait for three trains to pass through the crossing before reaching the CLOSED on Wednesday cafe. I explored a little further along the road and then turned back to go into Morecambe.

Along the promenade and then into Morrisons' for a coffee.

Back on the home run.

Over the Millennium bridge and homeward bound.

Back home, and ready for lunch.

Cycle ride to Woodie's snack bar

Distance: 10.3 miles
Average speed: 7.2 mph
Maximum speed: 16 mph

Earlier in the week we had hail, sleet and gale force winds, so waking up to a calm and blue(ish) skied morning I decided to ride to Woodie's .

The long awaited for Lancaster bypass is making progress, though the jury is out as to whether it will make any difference to Lancaster's ability to gridlock at a moment's notice.

I like the idea of options when I "think pink".

By the time I wended my way back there were grey skies and it was getting breezier, luckily the rain started once I'd got inside.

Another cycle to Glasson Dock

Distance : 11.6 miles
Average speed: 7.7 mph
Maximum speed: 13.5 mph

It's been a while since I've been out on the bike.  Today was a bit overcast but not too windy, so I set off. Even before I had left our road end I had seen four magpies together and en route there was lots of bird life. Now that autumn is here there are fewer leaves, so birds are more obvious. I heard the geese long before seeing them. There were hundreds of greylags and Canada geese in a field.

As I walked into the field they all took off with a huge amount of noise.

Destination reached it was time for a rest and an admiring of the view.

As I watched I played around with the little fisheye lens I bought that fits over my mobile phone.

A stop at the fish smokery for some smoked mackerel before heading back. Loads of bird sound, curlews, oyster catchers, robins as I made by way home.