My February Rides (week 2)

Monday 8/2/2010 It was very cold when I set off this morning. I had spent some time searching for my face muffler which I have misplaced so I was a bit later than usual. The wind was very much in my face all the way and the ride seemed pretty hard going. A bus decided to carve me up turning out of the junction opposite the end of Brenchley Gardens. He knew he'd done it as he gave me some flashes on his hazards. It wasn't quite close enough to consider it a near miss so I will not be reporting it. Although I was running a little late I was aware of the first streaks of dawn before I reached Lower Sydenham. The days are at long last beginning to lengthen. This evening I came out of the office to find it snowing, but not settling. This was the first time I had ridden in snow since I was a kid. The snow was quite heavy at times and by the time I got to Forest Hill it was beginning to settle on vehicles. Really missed the old muffler. There were a lot of bikers about this evening too. I didn't get the feeling they were just there because of the weather. Most of them looked like serious regular commuters.

Stats - day 39/365, rides 10 = 5.1 weeks/10 rides = 1.8 per week - in = 1:00:08 (12.33 mls) out = 1:07:34 (12.61) odo after weekend reset = 24

Tuesday 9/2/2010 - Train

I'd rather be on the bike.

Wednesday 10/2/2010

There was a strong head wind this morning. Pedalling into it was hard work. In addition it was very cold there was quite a wind chill factor. There seemed to be quite a lot of cyclists about. It's good to see and feel part of the greater cycling community. It was definitely getting light at Lower Sydenham and I was earlier than on Monday. When I set off the evening there had been some snow which had not settled on the road but had left a powdering on the grass. Once again a lot of cyclists about. The wind had either dropped or was behind me. Either way it was much easier to ride home. I have found the muffler on the end of the banister.

Stats - day 41/365, rides 11 = 5.3 weeks/11 rides = 1.9 per week - in = 1:03:37 (12.42 mls) out = 1:07:57 (12.63) odo after weekend reset = 49

Thursday 11/2/2010 - Train

Rotten. I just wish I had the stamina to ride every day.

Friday 12/2/2010

I set off a bit earlier day in damp and gloomy riding conditions. By Lower Sydenham there was a few large drops of rain/sleet in the air. But nothing too bad. Daylight by the time I got to Forest Hill but you could hardly see the difference.

Once again plenty of bikes around on the way home particularly on the top end of the journey. There were still four of us going up Rye Lane. But no-one else after Forest Hill. Nearly got taken out by a lass at Peckham. A car came out of a side street to far and frighened her she swerved into me as I was overtaking her. Fortunately she straightened up in time so only a near miss. I actually don't think the car was at fault really it was no more than a couple of feet across the give way line trying to clear a way for a car from the main road turn in past it. She had plenty of room really but was just a bit nervous. Anyhow no harm done. Smart front light ran out of juice at Catford so straight onto the charger on arrival at home.

Stats - day 43/365, rides 12 = 6 weeks/12 rides = 2 per week - in = 1:01:10 (12.33 mls) out = 1:07:01 (12.58) odo after weekend reset = 74