Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) => Topic started by: jags on January 27, 2014, 03:35:54 pm
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is this weather ever going to pick up, i know it's winter but what with global warming we should be getting better weather should we not. its feckin lashing rain here and i cant get out on me bike.
so whats the weather like in your part of the world,post photos please..
jags.
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Finally got out riding today, just my second time this month. Poorest showing in years. The move of residence didn't help! But the temperature has been down around 10F a lot that that is discouragingly cold! It's up around the freezing mark today for a bit and I managed to take advantage of that!
Here is my bike where I am keeping it outside our apartment. Happy to report that it can sit like this for a couple weeks then I can hop on and it just goes, happy as ever!
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r6/kukulaj/Nomad/IMG_1841_zps6b59d80d.jpg)
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Hi Jim!
My, what a stout and brave little Nomad Fearless is!
I feel much better about him being tethered to a tree now I see the setting and background. It looks like it just goes off into woods rather than being out, visible to all traffic. Very wise to cover the saddle, not only for weather-resistance but to discourage porcupines, who seem to have a particular affinity for Proofided Brooks saddles (apparently, it is the scent and salt that attracts them).
Just plain cold/miserable for riding, Jim; hope things improve for you soon so you can get out on Fearless more.
Best,
Dan.
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AHH no Jim me auld flower anto bike is kept inside where its safe and warm ::)
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Well, I put my new black leather saddle (from Spa Cycles) onto my Eclipse the other day, & it looks very much at home. Pondering a set of Schwalbe Marathon Racers for that come spring (700 x 35s). Resolved a nice dilemma, and ordered Honjo hammered alloy fenders to grace my Raven, which is a-building, with a forecast birth date of the end of Feb. (Not that I'll be able to use it, unless the weather gods repent and grovel, saying "It's all been a ghastly mistake, & will be fixed right now.")
Otherwise, not much cycling going on, not even for the hard core (of which I'm not a member): we had 10 cms of snow last night, not a lot, but 60 kmh winds created colossal problems today, and tonight the temp will be -24 again, windchill -38. I did get a nice couple of hours of X-country skiing on Saturday, when the temps eased. (We have terrain not so different from Jim's in the Catskills, just with more snow & a bit colder).
Take heart, Jim -- we won't live on a cold planet forever, only until March sometime.
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Widdling down here in Somerset... Not great as I cycle to work. 50 miles a week, and only one where I have not had to wear my waterproof trousers this year!
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Hi All,
It's a great time to ride! today we (a work mate and a friend) had a great days ride in the Sun.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2818/12184125643_2c319f6bf7_c.jpg)
Today's Team
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/12184499646_f5a04504ee_c.jpg)
And here I'm with a nice Water Fall in the back ground
Yes it is Summer in New Zealand but when we have winter you all post photo's of you all out in the Sun.
Pete 8)
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At the moment we have about 6 inches of snow frozen solid with temps of around -10c. This is my Nomad stripped down of all excess weight (circa 15kg as opposed to its usual 21kg) and running Schwalbe ice spiker pro tyres. Great fun on the ploughed(but not salted) ice roads but unable to deal with unploughed roads and tracks so some wheeling and some carrying required.
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"Mind the puddle matey" says the roadie as I head away from Hexton, near the Hertfordshire / Bedfordshire border. Wow what a puddle, the water was so deep I had to push really hard on the pedals to keep going. Here's the account: http://tinyurl.com/p3qfzh4
I can tell you, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat, it was so much fun although I wouldn't have planned it that way and never mind the dampish feet either. I'll worry about the Shimano bottom bracket's external bearings another time (these are not good).
Just to share with you, I have found myself enjoying some unexpectedly nice cycle rides this winter. Sometimes when I have set out, it has been almost through a dutiful "I have to do this in order to keep fit" but I've ended up really enjoying myself. As for all that snow being experienced by others, sorry, that's not welcome here for this winter!
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Aw, what a fun thread and terrific photos!
Fantastic weather there in NZ, Pete, and what looks to be great fun.
Andy, the Nomad is looking fierce and ready for *any*thing -- and is dealing well with *every*thing.
Doug...that's not a puddle, but a lake!
All fun of three different varieties and just goes to show the diversity we're all facing in weather and riding conditions.
Take care out there!
All the best,
Dan.
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great stuff lads keep her lit.
Pete my son came back home from your neck of the woods and he still can't get warm ;D ;D
Andy thats way to much snow and hardship you gotta move to warmer climates.
Doug you obviously new the lay of that road ahead loks more like a river any crocks spotted ;D
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See Anto, here's the thing...
This is an early photo of Atilla, taken say, August last year at my place:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/12188611565_2d8c9079ac_b.jpg)
But, it's WINTER, can't you tell? Everyone's got jackets on! ;D
Sorry guys... Just had to gloat :D
Slammin!
PS - Please note that I grew up in NYC and have lived in some bloody cold and snowy places, including Steamboat Springs CO and Casper WY. I have worked outside all day at -25F (-32C) for weeks, and I can tell you... I'M OVER IT!!! No more long winters and short winter days for this little black duck! ;D
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Sam, our son & daughter-in-law and wee Hannah Rose, our granddaughter, live on the Gold Coast & are likely there for a long time, if not the duration. We're looking at ways to spend 2 - 3 months of the year in their neighbourhood, and on our next visit, I'll take my Raven with me for sure.
Pete, your ride in the Sun
-- ah yes, I've heard tell of the Sun, from old-timers' fond tales of How It Used To Be.
Like your waterfalls! We have plenty, but they're all fruz just now, used by ice-climbers.
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Sammy have you any spare rooms, honest i wont be a pest you'll never know im there honest.
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Sam, our son & daughter-in-law and wee Hannah Rose, our granddaughter, live on the Gold Coast & are likely there for a long time, if not the duration. We're looking at ways to spend 2 - 3 months of the year in their neighbourhood, and on our next visit, I'll take my Raven with me
John, it must be horribly tough to be that far away from your kin, especially the little ones. Our little granddaughter Evie is just ten months, and she and her brother James (8 yo next week) and Zara (6) live in our town, 15 minutes away! They're a big part of our lives.
Any idea when your next visit will be? We're about 775 km down the coast from Surfers Paradise (just a few days' ride, really :)).
And Anto, come on down! There's plenty of room, and the only thing icy around here's the beer!
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SOUNDS LIKE HEAVEN.
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Thanks, Sam. Yes, it's hard being so far away from our kids. To complicate matters further, our daughter lives in Berlin. Mind you, we get to go to visit some wonderful places. Our next trip to Oz will probably be a or so year from now -- Hannah and
her parents David & Sarah will all be here for a month this coming July/Aug. :-) Have a copy of LPG's Cycling Australia, and with the advice of Graham Smith (on CGOAB, but sometimes here as well) have mapped out some rides in NSW & Victoria, as well as some in the GC hinterland, closer to Broad Beach. Will get in touch for your advice as our next trek Ozwards appears on the horizon.
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thats it lads rub salt into the wounds ::)
still i suppose photos of sunshine will have to do.
roll on the summer.
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thats it lads rub salt into the wounds ::)
still i suppose photos of sunshine will have to do.
roll on the summer.
Nah, I've been there. What looks like sunshine is malignant melanoma in the air. Give me good honest rain every time.
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Day off today so got out for a spin in reasonable weather now that the wind has changed to an easterly. Couldn't get out on Sunday as usual due to horrendous rain and wind so glad to get out today.
Took the Audax Mk3 for a change as the Sherpa has the studded tyres on just now, fitted them a couple of weeks ago and the ice promptly vanished.
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Nice pictures! It's been awful here for about 10 days. Just been commuting in the dark and wet on my new RST that I built at the weekend. Just need some daylight to get some proper riding.
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great pic's rual lovely cycling country for sure. stupid question but i was thinking looking at your bike, more over the saddle height and was just thinking rual must be 6.4 great guy to sit behind on a windy day. ;)
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great pic's rual lovely cycling country for sure. stupid question but i was thinking looking at your bike, more over the saddle height and was just thinking rual must be 6.4 great guy to sit behind on a windy day. ;)
Haha, I'm 6'2" jags, using quite short cranks 165mm as I'm prone to knee problems so the saddle has to go up a bit because of that.
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yeah a giant from where i stand ;D ;D
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Nah, I've been there. What looks like sunshine is malignant melanoma in the air.
Geez! I hope not, Andre! :-[
That "m" word is dreaded around here. A young (29yo) work colleague has contracted it - he's a kiwi of Irish extraction. Us 60+ yo geos who spent our early lives outdoors like to compare scars and talk about who's had what bits cut out. It's ghastly when I think about it. :-\
Sam
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Slightly off thread, but related I think . . . .
The flooded Somerset Levels have been on the news a lot recently, a lot of controversy about the best way to manage flooding and so on . . . .but for the first time that I have heard, Bridgewater was mentioned on national news the other night.
I'm sure that if SJS had been flooded, we would have heard about it, but I am sure we all hope that the staff's homes (i.e. homes of the staff!) have not been inundated, and we wish them well. Being flooded out is a really long term hassle, and very dispiriting . . . .
Good luck guys.
Lewis
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yeah flooding is bad news for sure hopefull they escaped the worst of it.
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Thornworld becomes Waterworld!
Bridgwater town where SJS Cycles is situated is not flooded but the surrounding levels are.
Look here for some more pics taken on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal that is a convenient off road-link from my house to SJS.
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/36663686_QqbgSr (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/36663686_QqbgSr)
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My, what a lovely area around Bridgwater. Such a shame about the flooding; hope it isn't too big a burden on those living there. Floods are just plain *nasty* to cleanup from.
Best,
Dan.
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Thanks Colin, good photos!!
For me, a 'convenient link', off-road, flooded or otherwise, to SJSC would be a problem; I'd be bankrupt and divorced by now!!
Lewis
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Geez! I hope not, Andre! :-[
That "m" word is dreaded around here. A young (29yo) work colleague has contracted it - he's a kiwi of Irish extraction. Us 60+ yo geos who spent our early lives outdoors like to compare scars and talk about who's had what bits cut out. It's ghastly when I think about it. :-\
"Irish extraction" is a key word when you're talking about melanoma. I used to play poker in a group in Adelaide that included a dermatologist and an insurance agent. One day the insurance agent was telling us that AMP punished agents whose clients made too many claims, among other things for dying younger than the insurance company's actuaries predicted. The dermatologist warned him not to insure too many Irish people. Besides me, there were two other motivational psychologists in the group -- that's how I joined -- and all our ears perked up: avoidable self-lacerating behavior! The dermatologist explained: "The Irish have never seen the sun. Over the generations their skins adapted to their conditions. They come to Oz and see the sun for the first time, and by the time they're out of the airport their shirts are off and they never put them back on until they're referred to me by their doctor, usually with melanoma the size of my fist on their backs, totally beyond saving." This guy, a Greek and nobody's racist, was convinced the Irish are genetically stupid. Years later I heard the agent was in trouble with his bosses for having insured too many Irish immigrants... His more sensitive friends don't mention the m-word within his hearing.
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For me, a 'convenient link', off-road, flooded or otherwise, to SJSC would be a problem; I'd be bankrupt and divorced by now!!
I can just imagine a whole bunch of forum members standing in a row, their heads down, being lectured by the divorce court judge, and one voice pipes up, "Hurry up, will you, Yer Honour, that's good riding weather out there!"
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I can just imagine a whole bunch of forum members standing in a row, their heads down, being lectured by the divorce court judge, and one voice pipes up, "Hurry up, will you, Yer Honour, that's good riding weather out there!"
Its quite hard not to go to a bike shop road here. I've got one pretty much next door from work, 2 within 5 minutes cycle from work, and SJS is do-able there and back in my lunch hour. The fact that I can jump on the Taunton canal and cycle there in under an hour is rather bad as well, plus if you're driving down the motorway to Taunton its not that much longer to come of a few junctions early and just pop into the shop - what I did when I got my Carradice. The only thing stopping me being in there most days is the thought that my wife would do something damaging to me (well my bikes!) ;D
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More pictures of the floods.
you can see the islands that were there in King Alfred's time!
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Even back in Town (Taunton) you can see the effect on the river Tone.
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Thanks for those flood photos! Reminds me of the book Glastonbury Romance, by John Cowper Powys. A big flood was a major player in that!
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just looking at country file on tv seems most of the uk is under water.
my walk by the canal was totally flooded today had to head back home :'(
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you can see the islands that were there in King Alfred's time!
Super fotos, froggie -- it's hard to remember how low-lying Somerset really is. Your reference to Alfred brought back memories of Mary Stuart's descriptions of "The Summer Country" in her retelling of the Merlin/Arthur legend, with the flooding blurring the boundaries of earth, water and sky in the distance.
The fotos of the river in spate are a reminder of the power that can always reassert itself.
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Hi All!
Snowing like mad outside at the moment...8in/20cm expected by dinnertime this evening, more through the weekend. Cold, too.
Where's Spring?
Oh...that's right. It is wintering in NZ and Australia. :D
You're right, Pete; folks up here *are* mad for living in an icebox. Can I come visit you? *NOW*?!? ;D
Best,
Dan. (...who is closely eyeing those x-c skis in the garage)
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Dan i was talking to franks mother in law on facebook earlier on, she said the weather in Montana was lovely sunny blue Sky's but freezing cold when you went outside and being Montana loads of snow,i think frank is starting to crack he can't handle more snow in Indianapolis.
the forecast for tomorrow is good so i've set up me bike for a nice spin around the boyne valley first spin in yonks me little legs will sure suffer but has to be done. ;)
jags.
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You're right, Pete; folks up here *are* mad for living in an icebox
Y'know, Dan, I was going to write back to Pete: "True enough -- but how else could we play hockey or go X-country skiing?"
Then again, a friend who used to live in Saskatchewan, and rode his year-round there, even in the winter at -30 plus the windchill, sings a song about his home which includes the rueful refrain, "And why we live here / No-one knows..."
Jags, your mention of the Boyne valley brought to mind Stan Rogers' last song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwld86XndSY Enjoy your ride!
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they should get him and the wolf tones to gig together make for an interesting gig. ;D ;D
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After horizontal rain and hail and 30 MPH winds yesterday, today was a little calmer and I had a nice 25mile spin, meeting up with a couple of friends by chance.
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Hi All,
It's still Sunny and Warm Here.....
Pete..
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We're back to winter here. Not too bitter colds, 25F or so. Did get out for a ride:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/356373169
my fingers and toes are starting to get some sensation back! I bundle up but when its good and cold it is never enough!
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r6/kukulaj/Nomad/IMG_1847_zps4d1eb9c6.jpg)
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Yesterday I went for a cycle ride, despite questionable weather and clocked up 43 miles. At one point I thought "the wind is getting up, looks like it's gonna rain".
Within a minute I was being sand blasted by horizontal rain and sleet - stinging my face and I could hardly keep my eyes open as I pressed on. As I came towards the top of a hill the wind was so fierce I thought I would get blown back if I eased off to change gear. It was quite breathtaking. Later on I came to a flooded road and, like a young kid, I pedalled as fast as I could and lifted my feet up as high as I could to freewheel as far as I could through the flood.
I can tell you, I was laughing my socks off through all of this - it was such great fun! Otherwise it's all too easy to get into the too windy, too wet, too cold, too.... anything else mentality.
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Ah Jim boy your gonna have to take that baby inside :'( :'(
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Here is my bright idea of the day. The problem is, my water bottle freezes up when it is cold. It starts at the nozzle that clogs up so I then have to stop riding to unscrew the top so I can get a drink. But in a few hours the whole bottle is icing up rather well.
What if I mixed in some electrolytic salts
http://www.emergenc.com/products#specialty-formulas.electromix (http://www.emergenc.com/products#specialty-formulas.electromix)
wouldn't that lower the freezing point significantly? Wouldn't work too too far below freezing, but I don't really ride much below 15F. (yeah, Doug, lame!)
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Jim,
Even the sugar in Gatorade and other sports drinks keeps them from freezing for quite a bit below the point where plain water is affected.
Best,
Dan.
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take that baby inside
Must say, I have been quite pleased with the bike's performance under such duress. The Rohloff shifts quite happily, the brakes are fine, the chain too. Hoping that all holds up over the seasons!
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Good on YA Doug , me i'm just in a lazy arse mode lovely day here today and i sat in all day on this bloody thing and watching crap cowboys (westerns) on tv.
i know how you felt i did as im sure everyone here has done spins like that ,once you out the weather no matter how bad it is it doesn't really matter , makes for an epic ride.
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Ah Jim boy your gonna have to take that baby inside :'( :'(
I'm crying too, Anto.
Jim - I used to live in Longmont Colorado and bought a brand new Yamaha 750, my first ever new bike. Unfortunately, I lived in an apartment and the poor bike lived outside. I went away to Wyoming to work for a few weeks, and when I finally returned, my pride and joy was covered by literally 6ft of plowed snow, slush, etc. I cried then, too.
As soon as the snow melted, I grabbed the bike and my meager possessions, and moved up to Casper, where the bike still stayed outside, but at least I could brush off the snow each evening. The good news was, with a bit of TLC, it really was none the worse for wear. I eventually sold that bike for the down payment on my first house!
Sorry for the trip down memory lane... Seeing your bike just brought it all back. Sigh...
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Nasty in the southwest UK! A note here about Bridgwater. Best of luck to all involved!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26111598 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26111598)
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Hi All!
Still digging out of the recent snow and ice storm, but lots of downed trees and branches left behind. Gusts to 62mph/100kph are forecast for tonight which won't help the already weakened trees; many folks in my area are still without power.
Kinda tough cycling conditions here'bouts at present. The roads are clear for cars because the snow was plowed onto the streetside bike lanes, making it almost impossible to ride along major traffic corridors safely. Hoping the plows will make one more pass, but I doubt it. The City emergency fund is already in the red and things like this will be left largely to nature to resolve.
Best,
Dan.
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What a mess, Dan! I hope it melts soon!
We have another 6 inches or so coming in a couple days but at least there have been little breaks between so the roads aren't too horrible.
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terrible weather Dan as jim said what a mess sooner its gone the better..
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Huge tree blown over on the shambles, crushed a parked Skoda Superbe estate car. Going out for a walk because the wind gusts high enough to knock me off my bike. You just don't get enough exercise indoors on the machines, not in the way you do on a bike, aided by ever-changing topographical features (hills to you, Jags).
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;D ;D hah trying to confuse anto again.
andre weather up here at the moment is dangerous gusting up to 90km an hour hope it blows itself out before bedtime :o
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Walked into town (Taunton) today as very wet and windy. Nearly blown off my feet twice. 60MPH/100KPH + gusts! didn't feel at all comfortable walking under or near trees. Expect to see a few down by tomorrw.
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we are getting a right battering at the moment. :o
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First the floods and now the hurricane ...oh the trials and tribulations of a leisure cyclist :)
....but it was a glorious day today......
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very good that looks like the boyne canal one of my walking routes .
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Wonderful photos!
Looks much like here at the moment. Glad you got the lot past the fallen tree without wetting your feet unduly.
Be safe out there; weather ahead looks bad as well.
Best,
Dan.
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Walked into town (Taunton) today as very wet and windy. Nearly blown off my feet twice. 60MPH/100KPH + gusts! didn't feel at all comfortable walking under or near trees. Expect to see a few down by tomorrw.
I did cycle through Taunton on the 12th doing my usual commute, including taking the little one to Kiddicaru for nursery. The winds were bad but the rain held off which was nice. Friday my wife made me drive...
I am getting so fed up of having to put on waterproofs to commute though, and I didnt even manage to get out on Sunday which was absolutely lovely. Bum.
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I can't believe the weather pattern that has overtaken you guys in SW England. Our cycle from Bridgwater to Taunton and beyond last September was superb! Six months later and you're building arks!
Please keep safe. Hopefully the worst is over, but it'll take a long time to dry out I'm afraid.
Sam
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Im just hoping this really wet winter means we get a nice dry summer. Last year when I did my Devon Coast to Coast at the start of July it was a lovely clear 23 - 25 degress for the whole time. I really want to that again!
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Photos of Wisconsin, USA yesterday. Forecast today, another 5.5 inches (140mm) with high winds. Having the right tires helps.
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I have commented before that I put electrical tape around the S&S threaded thingy to try to keep out the dirt and dust out of the S&S threads. Did not have a photo when I made that comment before, now I do. But I still carry the wrench even though they are not likely to loosen.
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looks great but slow cycling be carefull ;)