It's Grim Up North

Full impact of increased latitude has become apparent - it's now "proper" dark when I leave for work at a smidge before 7 am. New commuting lights have been purchased and installed which at least means the cars can see me - but with headlight glare my visibility is limited at times. No mishaps yet but a couple of near misses. One early morning shadow turned out not to be a shadow at all but a very deceased raccoon lying stiffly across the bike lane. My heart rate went up significantly even if its didn't. Then I had a close encounter with with a piece of cast iron sewer pipe that some kind joker had stood on end right in the middle of the bike lane - few choice words into the darkness I ca tell you. But the best was yet to come! Friday on my very happiest commute to date - 45 oF and pishing down, and I only have a very jolly flat don't I!! Dark with frozen fingers so a fix at the road side wasn't on the cards so I took what was described as the "walk of shame" in this weeks "Bicycling" and walked/jogged my bike the last mile to work - what joy!

Still at least the 2-3 times a week bike commute is giving me some saddle time! And glacially slow progress toward the Mi 1000 (almost at 900 miles now). Weather has been damper than Marty Pellows backing band and has put the kibosh ob mtbing completely! The Rockhopper hasn't seen any action in weeks. Trying to maintain a semblage of fitness by running - but crikey isn't running (even in the dark/cold/wet) a dull activity? Mustn't complain and just get the miles in over the winter so that the HAT is at least a possibility come March!

Cheers

DB

Epiphany

Been a long time again, many reasons other than just sloth.

Been travelin' some, workin' some and even ridin'/runnin' a bit. But the progress on the Mi 1000 has become a real issue! Few weeks back I was doing nearly 70 miles/week on the old fixie, this past two weeks only 30 miles in total! Weather played a part but no real excuses.

Been running maybe twice! Once round the local burg, on roads/trails around Okemos and one in San Diego (a nice early morning jaunt round Coronado).

Only real thing of note in past couple of weeks is the epiphany of why we (in the old country) drive on the left hand side of the road! It's not just down to obstinate wrongheadedness (or not totally anyway), but down to the need for motorists to recognize the righteousness of the fixed wheel cyclist! Over here, riding on the right - your drivechain is tucked against the roadside where no bugger can see it! Motorists charge by without any appreciation of your wholesale awesomeness. BUT!!! Back from where I came from the drivechain is loud and proud out in the open! Into the road so all motorists have no choice but to be aware (and bow down) of the puritanical struggle of the fixie cyclist!

Hey this might be a pile of horse do, but whatever.

Till next time - be careful out there.

DB