Ackers on a bike/hike

(I have commuted on road lots in the last 3 years, but only 3 times this year - I can't stand riding amongst drivers in rush hour any more. Maybe the off road commute options I am so lucky to have are my tonic, until the Hertfordshire slop returns later this year).

Despite preferring MTB rides, I've not commuted off road for over 6 years for some reason that I can't fathom, after commuting off road for many years.
Lovely sunrise, great riding, memories jogged!
51km off road over 84km riding, with a days work in the middle.
Wonderful - can't wait to do it again

An old pair of lightweight approach shoes looking pretty worn and torn, sat on top of a kitchen bin

Bye bye Moab 2 ventilators, you have served me well over the last 850km.
But now your getting tired, and causing me issues (mainly the toe box losing suppleness = blisters on long walks).
Not in the bin, off to the shoe recycling place as always - hopefully someone's life will be better with you 🤞

4

First world problems?

(all the students I know nowadays have a bottle opener on their keyring)

Make sure you have some lightweight 3 season gear in case it gets super cold, but it won't last long so just go and enjoy every minute!

When I was there, I was surprised by the extremes - it was surprisingly cold in the mist and clouds and overnight (single figures), and stupidly hot in the heat of the day in the sun (high 30s).
I found it OK, cos the extremes never lasted too long...

Feeling awe and love for all those embarking on #LEL2025 in the hours ahead, and reminding myself of my life mantra...

Enjoy every minute!
(even the dark ones)

Got a feeling I'm going to be gripped by the tracking and living every minute!

god speed to all riders and volunteers, have fun!

God speed, and have fun - just a ride in the park!
Oh - and please pop a few 10s of kms on the end to make the 1000 miles, just in case you don't want to go back there to finish it off...

In other news - the app has also made me realise how little of the Wales coast path I've walked since being on Strava - that's cos I walked most of it pre-strava 🤦‍♂️
Must get back to that - even if it is nearly 900 miles long 🥾🥾🥾

A map showing all my bike rides and walks for the last 13 years around Hertfordshire

Just exploring my strava data uploaded to summitbag.com - seems I've ridden and walked lots of roads/trails around Hertfordshire in the last 13 years.
This app/website really helping focus my attention on completing assorted micro achievements - like walking the length of the Kent coastline

Ooh, the new river cycle route out of Enfield seems to be open, now plotting a lunchtime sortie next week to see how much traffic free I can get out north in my lunch break 😀 😉 😄

SJS, the phenomenal St John Street cycles in Bridgewater. Check their history, insane and still going strong.
Bought an amazing amount of self built/machined stuff from them over the years.
Always exceeded expectations.
Only regret is never visiting and meeting them in person

4

If there is not a picture with you and @owenaudax.bsky.social then you can't have been there. Just saying 😜
(top job btw!)

Squirt is my go to chain lube, try it for a month

Maybe an eminent psychologist such as @ianwalker.bsky.social , who is also a top endurance freak, can explain to us why we distract ourselves like this when we are facing something like LEL...

I use a dry wax like lube nowadays on all my bikes, the secret there is to lube your chain at the end of a ride - works a treat, and the only downside is I get my post ride drink of choice (red wine), about a minute later 🤷‍♂️

Which GB rider that has turned up at grand tours has consistently stuck on the wheel of the GC riders.
Glad to be reminded of someone who has

You not watching le tour?

Hey BBC, can't see a handle for you here, but why is there no noticeable coverage of Oscar Onley on your website?
He is doing so much better than any British rider for 10 years or more!

1

Was planning to ride this evening - forecast fail!
Forecast was risk of thunderstorms from 10, but dry and sunny spells until then - just had to wait for the rush hour to subside.
1745, heavy thunder claps, darkness, and met office radar shows fast developing thunder cells
A walk later it is then...

Partly blue skies, but lots of ice crystals forming on the near horizon

Intentionally left my ride to the evening so the heat and the rush hour madness had subsided - might have made a mistake...

An anthracite black patio water tank with brick effect moulding on a sandstone patio, which leads to a large decking area

Added 500L to our rain water storage today, taking us over 700L in total.
With the last few months weather I think I might have undercooked it...

Innocent until proven guilty - I for one am enjoying things, and will continue to do so, as well as continuing to be inspired to be better

Streaks are the way to go, can't let it lapse now...

No insanely happy smiley, no likey

1

Lovely, innit
I was pleased with a ride a couple of days ago when 3 cars "took it a bit easier" around me (inc not overtaking until it was surely safe, and waving me through uphill past some parked cars).
Rare nowadays :-(