a.twiddler
Veteran
Happens to us all. Some days you feel invincible. Ha! Take that, hill! Do your worst! Other days, meh. Mostly, though, it's somewhere in between.
Tiny rides of 2023
- Thread starter Hebe
- Start date
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Happens to us all. Some days you feel invincible. Ha! Take that, hill! Do your worst! Other days, meh. Mostly, though, it's somewhere in between.
a.twiddler
Veteran
22/2/24
Tiny ride today.
Shopping trip on the Spirit recumbent
A cloudy morning with spells of sunshine, though the wind was a bit chilly. I followed the route which I took on my last trip, though diverting to a supermarket rather than the garage. Despite a long uphill stretch, it is not as steep as my usual route and the average speed worked out faster, at least on the Brompton. I wanted to see if it worked with the Spirit recumbent, despite lugging some shopping uphill on the way back. I also intended to use more of the road today rather than pavements or paths as, good though the Brompton is, it doesn’t have the road presence of a recumbent bike. But then, you might ask, what does?
Out through the back gate, almost straight across to an estate road, some minor ups and downs, left and then a longish downhill. Soon I was climbing towards the junction with Oakmere Road. I passed a man walking along on my side of the road facing uphill holding the handle of an extending lead. It was not actually attached to a large dog which was sniffing about on the grass alongside him, so I proceeded warily. The dog paid me no attention, probably lost in a world of interesting smells. I came up behind the lead holding man, and wondered what world he was lost in, as he didn’t seem to be aware of me going past.
I came to Oakmere Road. This is a dual carriageway which once had a crossroads at this point, with a minor road opposite, but the central reservation has been closed off to traffic with just a pedestrian sized gap. Motor vehicles have to go left. There’s no footway opposite, and with fast traffic travelling uphill the easiest course for cyclists is to ride to the right, up the pavement on this side for the few hundred yards to the next roundabout.
At the top of the hill I came to Swanlow Lane where I turned left for the short bit of road before the A54 roundabout, then round it to the right and downhill on the dual carriageway to the town centre. As I came to the point where I would normally have crossed to the right hand filter lane I could see fast traffic in my mirror coming to my right so rather than try conclusions with them I carried straight on as the lights were green. The traffic didn’t ease so a little further on before I reached the next set of lights I rode up a lowered pavement to the left on to a pavement cycle path. This led me round the corner where I crossed over to queue behind traffic waiting to cross at the lights. Away we went, and after a couple of mini roundabouts I locked up outside my usual supermarket.
After swiftly picking up some shopping and returning to the bike I unlocked and set off across the car park.
Right at the exit roundabout then after some yards right across the road to the opposite pavement. A little further on I joined the pavement cycle path and followed it round to the right. Once I came to the spot where the boarding round the work in progress on the town centre precinct reached the road, I crossed over again and joined the traffic. I had to stop at some pedestrian lights where my attention was taken by frowning slaty-dark clouds lining up beyond the rooftops of the houses on High Street opposite. I was confident that I could get home before the rain started. Once through I went up a lowered kerb and followed the pavement round to the left. From here it was a steady pull uphill for a mile or so when the hilltop roundabout hove into view. Just before I reached it I rode on to the road and went straight on. Not much benefit from being on the road at first as it was slightly uphill, then levelled, then speed increased as I reached a downhill stretch before turning left into the estate road. What little traffic there was had given me plenty of room.
The estate road sloped steadily downhill so I let my shopping, and gravity, pull me along with a steady whizz down the hill and round a long lefthander at the bottom. This was pretty good stuff, and I thought about taking my shopping for a longer ride when the first faint drops of a drizzle began to make themselves felt. I kept rolling steadily on, with the first larger drops of rain darkening my trousers. Up a short hill, then right on the flat, a swoop downhill to the right and left before I came to my back gate. By the time I’d unloaded the shopping and put the bike away it was raining steadily. Another lucky escape, particularly as I’d left my rain jacket behind.
Both the max speed and the average, though nothing to write home about, were higher than on the previous similar trip on the Brompton
5.52 miles. Max speed 22.1 mph. Average 9.6 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 208ft. According to Bikehike.
Tiny ride today.
Shopping trip on the Spirit recumbent
A cloudy morning with spells of sunshine, though the wind was a bit chilly. I followed the route which I took on my last trip, though diverting to a supermarket rather than the garage. Despite a long uphill stretch, it is not as steep as my usual route and the average speed worked out faster, at least on the Brompton. I wanted to see if it worked with the Spirit recumbent, despite lugging some shopping uphill on the way back. I also intended to use more of the road today rather than pavements or paths as, good though the Brompton is, it doesn’t have the road presence of a recumbent bike. But then, you might ask, what does?
Out through the back gate, almost straight across to an estate road, some minor ups and downs, left and then a longish downhill. Soon I was climbing towards the junction with Oakmere Road. I passed a man walking along on my side of the road facing uphill holding the handle of an extending lead. It was not actually attached to a large dog which was sniffing about on the grass alongside him, so I proceeded warily. The dog paid me no attention, probably lost in a world of interesting smells. I came up behind the lead holding man, and wondered what world he was lost in, as he didn’t seem to be aware of me going past.
I came to Oakmere Road. This is a dual carriageway which once had a crossroads at this point, with a minor road opposite, but the central reservation has been closed off to traffic with just a pedestrian sized gap. Motor vehicles have to go left. There’s no footway opposite, and with fast traffic travelling uphill the easiest course for cyclists is to ride to the right, up the pavement on this side for the few hundred yards to the next roundabout.
At the top of the hill I came to Swanlow Lane where I turned left for the short bit of road before the A54 roundabout, then round it to the right and downhill on the dual carriageway to the town centre. As I came to the point where I would normally have crossed to the right hand filter lane I could see fast traffic in my mirror coming to my right so rather than try conclusions with them I carried straight on as the lights were green. The traffic didn’t ease so a little further on before I reached the next set of lights I rode up a lowered pavement to the left on to a pavement cycle path. This led me round the corner where I crossed over to queue behind traffic waiting to cross at the lights. Away we went, and after a couple of mini roundabouts I locked up outside my usual supermarket.
After swiftly picking up some shopping and returning to the bike I unlocked and set off across the car park.
Right at the exit roundabout then after some yards right across the road to the opposite pavement. A little further on I joined the pavement cycle path and followed it round to the right. Once I came to the spot where the boarding round the work in progress on the town centre precinct reached the road, I crossed over again and joined the traffic. I had to stop at some pedestrian lights where my attention was taken by frowning slaty-dark clouds lining up beyond the rooftops of the houses on High Street opposite. I was confident that I could get home before the rain started. Once through I went up a lowered kerb and followed the pavement round to the left. From here it was a steady pull uphill for a mile or so when the hilltop roundabout hove into view. Just before I reached it I rode on to the road and went straight on. Not much benefit from being on the road at first as it was slightly uphill, then levelled, then speed increased as I reached a downhill stretch before turning left into the estate road. What little traffic there was had given me plenty of room.
The estate road sloped steadily downhill so I let my shopping, and gravity, pull me along with a steady whizz down the hill and round a long lefthander at the bottom. This was pretty good stuff, and I thought about taking my shopping for a longer ride when the first faint drops of a drizzle began to make themselves felt. I kept rolling steadily on, with the first larger drops of rain darkening my trousers. Up a short hill, then right on the flat, a swoop downhill to the right and left before I came to my back gate. By the time I’d unloaded the shopping and put the bike away it was raining steadily. Another lucky escape, particularly as I’d left my rain jacket behind.
Both the max speed and the average, though nothing to write home about, were higher than on the previous similar trip on the Brompton
5.52 miles. Max speed 22.1 mph. Average 9.6 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 208ft. According to Bikehike.
Had planned on a proper ride today, but thanks to the cold and required commitment that didn't happen.
Did do the bottle bank then Co-op on the Brompton as dusk descended. Nothing remarkable although I saw a few folks I actually like, value and respect, which offset the ignorant boomer roadblock encountered in the Co-op and local ego I had to go out of my way to ignore. I'm also slightly suspicious that I'm being stalked (not in a good way) by some girl I don't like that I went to school with.
All of about two miles, but better than naff all. Better luck tomorrow, although conditions still look sub-optimal.
Did do the bottle bank then Co-op on the Brompton as dusk descended. Nothing remarkable although I saw a few folks I actually like, value and respect, which offset the ignorant boomer roadblock encountered in the Co-op and local ego I had to go out of my way to ignore. I'm also slightly suspicious that I'm being stalked (not in a good way) by some girl I don't like that I went to school with.
All of about two miles, but better than naff all. Better luck tomorrow, although conditions still look sub-optimal.
Kingfisher101
Veteran
Stalked how do you mean? sorry to hear that.
It's nothing really, she just seems to have cropped up a lot recently and been particularly interested in me. For example passed me in her chelsea tractor recently when I was walking up the road, blew the horn and waved over-enthusiastically. I'm not sure I've even spoken to her. Perhaps she's mistaken me for someone else..
Kingfisher101
Veteran
Could be, or she might be really over friendly etc.
annedonnelly
Girl from the North Country
- Location
- Blyth, Northumberland
Or she is intrigued by the Brompton.
Yeah, that's not how I remember. Hopefully if I ignore her she'll go away..
I'd like to think so, however I've not always been on it when she's bothered me.
EDIT: Anyway, my new best mate is dragging this thread OT. If she ups the ante I'll maybe dedicate a thread to her; hopefully she'll just crawl back into the woodwork however..
Last edited:
Further, I have started wearing a lot of polonecks recently so perhaps it's just the natural fallout from obviously being irresistable to all women as a result
a.twiddler
Veteran
I know it's been cold, but a lot of polonecks? How many do you wear at a time?
a.twiddler
Veteran
4/3/23
Tiny ride on the Spirit to do some shopping.
Just needed to nip out for a few things this morning so as the weather was reasonable I grabbed my stuff and took the Spirit recumbent.
Out through the back gate, turned right and meandered my way to Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights where I turned right without having to stop. Pedalling seemed easy today, over the hump, then downhill before turning left to freewheel down the long hill down to the town centre. There was traffic about, but nothing that caused me to have to take evasive action or brake. Across a mini roundabout, rolling to another set of lights which stayed green long enough for me to cross the line and turn right. I kept on rolling, on to a painted cycle lane then left up a slope through some bollards on to a pavement alongside a supermarket car park. I realised I’d freewheeled all the way since I turned off just after Swanlow Lane lights. A magic carpet ride indeed, maxing out at 21.7 mph with no effort.
Not many people about, so I pedalled carefully to my usual barrier and locked up.
I was in and out in no time, unlocked and under way back the way I came until I reached the road. I turned right on the pavement and followed the pavement cycle path round the corner to the right hoping to join the road and carry on. The road was chocabloc with stopped traffic. I stopped and hopped off the bike then wheeled it across between the stopped vehicles. I reached the opposite pavement and continued. This bike is so easy to get on and off, and to get your feet down in a hurry.
There were a lot of distracted people about, walking slowly looking at the pavement or at their feet, making progress hazardous. When I came across a queue of vehicles waiting to join the road from a supermarket car park but unable to move because there were no gaps in the static traffic so I couldn’t carry on past them, I turned left into the supermarket car park.
I knew there was a short path on the other side into some residential streets so I went that way. I would have preferred to go the longer way to stretch the miles out a bit, but ho hum, hum de ho, there you go.
There was a woman walking with shopping bags so I slowed right down until she’d reached the road and turned off before carrying on. It’s not my intention to cause alarm and despondency among the natives by unexpectedly appearing behind them on this idiosyncratic bike.
I followed the zig zag of terraced streets uphill. This bike definitely feels easier on the uphills since I raised the seatback a little.
Soon the road levelled and I came to Swanlow Lane where I turned left. The road ascended a gentle incline and the wind was in my face but it was a nice morning, the traffic was unthreatening and it was just nice to be out and about.
I reached the top of the incline and changed up a few gears. There were a few vehicles stopped at the traffic lights ahead but they changed and the junction was clear by the time I steamed through it in top. Down a long dip to get up speed for my uphill turn off then a trundle downhill to my back gate.
The shortest ride this year!
Distance 2.99 miles. Max speed 21.7 mph. Average speed 8.5 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 108 ft. According to Bikehike.
Tiny ride on the Spirit to do some shopping.
Just needed to nip out for a few things this morning so as the weather was reasonable I grabbed my stuff and took the Spirit recumbent.
Out through the back gate, turned right and meandered my way to Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights where I turned right without having to stop. Pedalling seemed easy today, over the hump, then downhill before turning left to freewheel down the long hill down to the town centre. There was traffic about, but nothing that caused me to have to take evasive action or brake. Across a mini roundabout, rolling to another set of lights which stayed green long enough for me to cross the line and turn right. I kept on rolling, on to a painted cycle lane then left up a slope through some bollards on to a pavement alongside a supermarket car park. I realised I’d freewheeled all the way since I turned off just after Swanlow Lane lights. A magic carpet ride indeed, maxing out at 21.7 mph with no effort.
Not many people about, so I pedalled carefully to my usual barrier and locked up.
I was in and out in no time, unlocked and under way back the way I came until I reached the road. I turned right on the pavement and followed the pavement cycle path round the corner to the right hoping to join the road and carry on. The road was chocabloc with stopped traffic. I stopped and hopped off the bike then wheeled it across between the stopped vehicles. I reached the opposite pavement and continued. This bike is so easy to get on and off, and to get your feet down in a hurry.
There were a lot of distracted people about, walking slowly looking at the pavement or at their feet, making progress hazardous. When I came across a queue of vehicles waiting to join the road from a supermarket car park but unable to move because there were no gaps in the static traffic so I couldn’t carry on past them, I turned left into the supermarket car park.
I knew there was a short path on the other side into some residential streets so I went that way. I would have preferred to go the longer way to stretch the miles out a bit, but ho hum, hum de ho, there you go.
There was a woman walking with shopping bags so I slowed right down until she’d reached the road and turned off before carrying on. It’s not my intention to cause alarm and despondency among the natives by unexpectedly appearing behind them on this idiosyncratic bike.
I followed the zig zag of terraced streets uphill. This bike definitely feels easier on the uphills since I raised the seatback a little.
Soon the road levelled and I came to Swanlow Lane where I turned left. The road ascended a gentle incline and the wind was in my face but it was a nice morning, the traffic was unthreatening and it was just nice to be out and about.
I reached the top of the incline and changed up a few gears. There were a few vehicles stopped at the traffic lights ahead but they changed and the junction was clear by the time I steamed through it in top. Down a long dip to get up speed for my uphill turn off then a trundle downhill to my back gate.
The shortest ride this year!
Distance 2.99 miles. Max speed 21.7 mph. Average speed 8.5 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 108 ft. According to Bikehike.
a.twiddler
Veteran
6/3/24
Tiny ride today on the Sinner trike.
In the last few days, instead of going cycling I have been clearing up after a recent blitz of hedge trimming, branch chopping and assorted tedious gardening tasks. I had a pile of logs left after sawing up branches yesterday to a manageable size, with the ulterior motive of using the trike to transport them to the recycling centre today.
A little chilly but no thermal underwear or biker gloves today. I piled in the logs as best I could, putting a garden bag in first to keep the worst of the mess contained. I had to leave the lid off as the load overfilled the box. Somehow I managed to cram a pump, a tube and some tools in there too, any potential escapees contained by luggage elastics.
I was surprised to find that with something of an overload to the rear, some of it behind the axle, that I could virtually lift the front end with a fingertip. This trike is surprisingly light, in any case. Well, balance would soon be restored once I parked myself on the seat.
The tyres well pumped up, the suspension sagging under the load, I clipped on the Garmin, right out of the gate, and set off up the road. The trike has a 7 speed hub gear, and a double chainring on the front. So, 14 gears. Unusually, it didn’t come with a front derailleur or a post for one. Something that apparently wasn’t unusual for small production run specialist machines of its era. To change to high or low ratio involves stopping for a greasy finger change rather like a vintage tractor, to select the ratio needed for the task ahead. Since I changed the set up at the front to lower the overall gearing the big ring gives reasonable speed on the flat while still getting up modest slopes, and the small ring allows for similar progress but allows steeper hills to be climbed. There’s quite a bit of overlap to compensate for the lack of instant front gear changing at the flick of a lever. It works well.
Rolling along surprisingly easily considering the load, on the large chainring, in the direction of Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights. I was wary of cornering at speed as the heavy tail load combined with the lightly loaded front wheel could potentially induce oversteer but even though I experimentally pushed the limits a bit it stayed planted and predictable. No worries about balancing as I rolled to a stop at a red light, feet on the pedals, wondering if I could restart with this weight trying to pull me backwards. As it happened, after the initial heave to get going again, it was no problem and I trundled steadily along Swanlow Lane, traffic giving me loads of space as it went by.
Soon I reached a mini summit and I gathered speed down the other side towards the A54 roundabout. Left here, then a slight rise before gathering speed down the dual carriagewayed Oakmere Road. Braking gently near the bottom I went straight across a roundabout into an industrial estate before turning left to the recycling centre. I wondered if I’d get turned away for not being in a motor vehicle but the bored check in guy just asked for my postcode. As I reached for my driving licence he said “Nah, don’t need to show it, just tell me what it is” then after I told him, “Garden waste? Over there, mate” and waved me on.
I negotiated the short sharp speed bumps until I reached the garden waste container. A machine was emptying the adjacent one and recycling staff were coming and going. As I was slinging the logs into the container one of them said, “That’s just the thing for bringing your stuff here. All it needs is an engine”. “That would be me then”. I said. “Did you make it yourself?” he said. “No, it’s made in Holland”, I replied.
I finished emptying out my logs, got sorted out and set off for the exit. I’d planned to get some shopping done while I was out.
Back to the entrance roundabout to the trading estate, where I turned left on to the shared path past the police HQ. I pressed on beyond the police HQ entrance to where it crossed the end of the unexpectedly alliterative Littler Lane on the left. Here I crossed over the A54 and continued on Littler Lane again, which continues on the other side. It has been bollarded in places to stop through traffic but is no problem to someone on a bike or narrow track trike. A few steep sections but none that needed the small chainring, before reaching Chester Road and turning right. A few degrees of reduction in seat recline has definitely improved the climbing ability of this trike, for me at least.
Rolling well along Chester Road then Delamere St. to the A54 again. This time a wait while some intense traffic went past before diving left down the long dual carriageway hill to the town centre. Still a lot of traffic coming up behind me on the right but eventually a gap appeared, I stuck out my right arm and veered into the filter lane to turn right at the lights. A red light as I approached so I rolled to the advance stop line, feet on pedals, poised for lift off.
The lights changed and I got rolling to be stopped after a hundred yards or so by a temporary pedestrian light.
Rolling again, I joined a pavement cycle path on the left and followed it round the corner, joined a painted line path on the road then left up a pavement, through some bollards and then to my usual barrier for locking up at a supermarket car park. As I did a turn to line up with it I realised that my padlock and chain were in the bag on the Spirit. I did what I could to deter opportunists by unshipping the chain from the front rings and tangling the luggage elastics, of which I had a few today, around the frame, barrier and wheel rims. It’s fairly busy and low risk here but you never know, but ought to discourage the any casual joyrider.
I returned and loaded up. This is the only human powered vehicle that I have that could easily carry a 24 pack tray of diet cola, or several, without messing about with bike bags. I wonder if a tadpole trike could manage it -in a strong pannier perhaps. The space between the back wheels allows for a good sized carrying platform, or in this case a box, that can carry such things as well as the veggies and other bits and pieces, heaviest at the bottom, lighter towards the top.
I untangled the luggage elastics and refitted the chain on the chainrings. Big ring or small ring? I optimistically went for the big ring then did a U turn and carefully followed the pavement back towards the road. Right along the pavement then onto the pavement cycle path, round to the right then on to the road. The pedestrian lights were green so I carried on and turned left on to the pavement just before the next set of lights.
Even with the load of shopping I managed the climb up the long hill to Over roundabout with no issues. Left on to Swanlow Lane, then a u turn, back towards the roundabout to follow the pavement alongside Oakmere Road, as it was clear of pedestrians. Once I reached an estate road I hopped off the pavement and enjoyed my shopping-enhanced freewheel down a long hill, swooping left on the level at the bottom. Then followed a steady trundle along a flat stretch until I had another short climb before turning right into a minor road. I reached my back gate a little short of eight miles. Wanting ro round up my mileage I carried on up the road, then turned round and freewheeled a bit further past my gate. I turned left then made my way through some paths until I came out on the road again not far from my gate. I was soon unloading my shopping and putting the trike away.
Some thoughts. An actual utilitarian ride today using the load carrying strengths of the trike which with the recent change in seat recline has improved its comfort and ease of use. Interestingly, despite having a fibreglass seat base with a fairly thin foam cover there was no discomfort from the weight being more on my behind rather than more spread out on it as you would expect with the greater degree of recline it was designed for. Recumbents with more upright posture tend to have mesh seats with a cushion to prevent “recumbutt”.
I can see it being used for a longer trip when the weather improves to further explore its abilities. The route will have to be one that’s suitable for its strengths. Maybe something mostly flat involving a rail trail and well maintained canal towpath. It won’t replace a bike in terms of range or average speed but it gives a quite different sort of experience.
Distance 8.05 miles. Max Speed 21.8 mph. Average 7.8 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 246 ft. According to Bikehike.
Tiny ride today on the Sinner trike.
In the last few days, instead of going cycling I have been clearing up after a recent blitz of hedge trimming, branch chopping and assorted tedious gardening tasks. I had a pile of logs left after sawing up branches yesterday to a manageable size, with the ulterior motive of using the trike to transport them to the recycling centre today.
A little chilly but no thermal underwear or biker gloves today. I piled in the logs as best I could, putting a garden bag in first to keep the worst of the mess contained. I had to leave the lid off as the load overfilled the box. Somehow I managed to cram a pump, a tube and some tools in there too, any potential escapees contained by luggage elastics.
I was surprised to find that with something of an overload to the rear, some of it behind the axle, that I could virtually lift the front end with a fingertip. This trike is surprisingly light, in any case. Well, balance would soon be restored once I parked myself on the seat.
The tyres well pumped up, the suspension sagging under the load, I clipped on the Garmin, right out of the gate, and set off up the road. The trike has a 7 speed hub gear, and a double chainring on the front. So, 14 gears. Unusually, it didn’t come with a front derailleur or a post for one. Something that apparently wasn’t unusual for small production run specialist machines of its era. To change to high or low ratio involves stopping for a greasy finger change rather like a vintage tractor, to select the ratio needed for the task ahead. Since I changed the set up at the front to lower the overall gearing the big ring gives reasonable speed on the flat while still getting up modest slopes, and the small ring allows for similar progress but allows steeper hills to be climbed. There’s quite a bit of overlap to compensate for the lack of instant front gear changing at the flick of a lever. It works well.
Rolling along surprisingly easily considering the load, on the large chainring, in the direction of Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights. I was wary of cornering at speed as the heavy tail load combined with the lightly loaded front wheel could potentially induce oversteer but even though I experimentally pushed the limits a bit it stayed planted and predictable. No worries about balancing as I rolled to a stop at a red light, feet on the pedals, wondering if I could restart with this weight trying to pull me backwards. As it happened, after the initial heave to get going again, it was no problem and I trundled steadily along Swanlow Lane, traffic giving me loads of space as it went by.
Soon I reached a mini summit and I gathered speed down the other side towards the A54 roundabout. Left here, then a slight rise before gathering speed down the dual carriagewayed Oakmere Road. Braking gently near the bottom I went straight across a roundabout into an industrial estate before turning left to the recycling centre. I wondered if I’d get turned away for not being in a motor vehicle but the bored check in guy just asked for my postcode. As I reached for my driving licence he said “Nah, don’t need to show it, just tell me what it is” then after I told him, “Garden waste? Over there, mate” and waved me on.
I negotiated the short sharp speed bumps until I reached the garden waste container. A machine was emptying the adjacent one and recycling staff were coming and going. As I was slinging the logs into the container one of them said, “That’s just the thing for bringing your stuff here. All it needs is an engine”. “That would be me then”. I said. “Did you make it yourself?” he said. “No, it’s made in Holland”, I replied.
I finished emptying out my logs, got sorted out and set off for the exit. I’d planned to get some shopping done while I was out.
Back to the entrance roundabout to the trading estate, where I turned left on to the shared path past the police HQ. I pressed on beyond the police HQ entrance to where it crossed the end of the unexpectedly alliterative Littler Lane on the left. Here I crossed over the A54 and continued on Littler Lane again, which continues on the other side. It has been bollarded in places to stop through traffic but is no problem to someone on a bike or narrow track trike. A few steep sections but none that needed the small chainring, before reaching Chester Road and turning right. A few degrees of reduction in seat recline has definitely improved the climbing ability of this trike, for me at least.
Rolling well along Chester Road then Delamere St. to the A54 again. This time a wait while some intense traffic went past before diving left down the long dual carriageway hill to the town centre. Still a lot of traffic coming up behind me on the right but eventually a gap appeared, I stuck out my right arm and veered into the filter lane to turn right at the lights. A red light as I approached so I rolled to the advance stop line, feet on pedals, poised for lift off.
The lights changed and I got rolling to be stopped after a hundred yards or so by a temporary pedestrian light.
Rolling again, I joined a pavement cycle path on the left and followed it round the corner, joined a painted line path on the road then left up a pavement, through some bollards and then to my usual barrier for locking up at a supermarket car park. As I did a turn to line up with it I realised that my padlock and chain were in the bag on the Spirit. I did what I could to deter opportunists by unshipping the chain from the front rings and tangling the luggage elastics, of which I had a few today, around the frame, barrier and wheel rims. It’s fairly busy and low risk here but you never know, but ought to discourage the any casual joyrider.
I returned and loaded up. This is the only human powered vehicle that I have that could easily carry a 24 pack tray of diet cola, or several, without messing about with bike bags. I wonder if a tadpole trike could manage it -in a strong pannier perhaps. The space between the back wheels allows for a good sized carrying platform, or in this case a box, that can carry such things as well as the veggies and other bits and pieces, heaviest at the bottom, lighter towards the top.
I untangled the luggage elastics and refitted the chain on the chainrings. Big ring or small ring? I optimistically went for the big ring then did a U turn and carefully followed the pavement back towards the road. Right along the pavement then onto the pavement cycle path, round to the right then on to the road. The pedestrian lights were green so I carried on and turned left on to the pavement just before the next set of lights.
Even with the load of shopping I managed the climb up the long hill to Over roundabout with no issues. Left on to Swanlow Lane, then a u turn, back towards the roundabout to follow the pavement alongside Oakmere Road, as it was clear of pedestrians. Once I reached an estate road I hopped off the pavement and enjoyed my shopping-enhanced freewheel down a long hill, swooping left on the level at the bottom. Then followed a steady trundle along a flat stretch until I had another short climb before turning right into a minor road. I reached my back gate a little short of eight miles. Wanting ro round up my mileage I carried on up the road, then turned round and freewheeled a bit further past my gate. I turned left then made my way through some paths until I came out on the road again not far from my gate. I was soon unloading my shopping and putting the trike away.
Some thoughts. An actual utilitarian ride today using the load carrying strengths of the trike which with the recent change in seat recline has improved its comfort and ease of use. Interestingly, despite having a fibreglass seat base with a fairly thin foam cover there was no discomfort from the weight being more on my behind rather than more spread out on it as you would expect with the greater degree of recline it was designed for. Recumbents with more upright posture tend to have mesh seats with a cushion to prevent “recumbutt”.
I can see it being used for a longer trip when the weather improves to further explore its abilities. The route will have to be one that’s suitable for its strengths. Maybe something mostly flat involving a rail trail and well maintained canal towpath. It won’t replace a bike in terms of range or average speed but it gives a quite different sort of experience.
Distance 8.05 miles. Max Speed 21.8 mph. Average 7.8 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 246 ft. According to Bikehike.
All uphill
Still rolling along
- Location
- Somerset
I cycled 0.9 of a mile into town today.
Nothing unusual in that.
Locked my bike.
Commonplace.
Did my session of volunteering.
A joy.
Walked 0.9 m home.
Oh dear! I've left my bike in town again.
Walk back, collect bike, cycle home.
Nothing unusual in that.
Locked my bike.
Commonplace.
Did my session of volunteering.
A joy.
Walked 0.9 m home.
Oh dear! I've left my bike in town again.
Walk back, collect bike, cycle home.
a.twiddler
Veteran
Tiny Ride Today Part 1
14/3/24
Car to garage in Crewe, return by Brompton and Train.
With the Brompton folded in the boot I dropped off Mrs T in Stoke, returned to the main dealer in Crewe, unfolded the Brompton and left the car there for some work.
The morning had started out mild and dry, very promising for a bike ride home the long way round but by the time I left the dealer raindrops were spattering the showroom windows. It was not so bad once I was riding in it but I would have been drenched if I’d been out in it for an hour or so. I hoped it might ease off. I called in the station just to check the train times. If I’d had an hour or so to wait I would have cycled it anyway. As it happened there was a train in 6 minutes so I decided to hop on that. That’s the nearest thing I’m going to have to a train-ing ride today! With the ticket office being open it was simple, as the Brompton needed no pre booking being luggage when folded. I even had a lift down to the platform.
I folded the bike, hopped on the train when it arrived, and eight minutes later hopped off at my destination. After unfolding and checking that everything was secure (folding bike riders’ anxiety syndrome?) I set off gingerly across the car park then set off with more confidence down the road. Since the rain persisted I took the direct route down the bypass as it was mostly downhill.
Being rather spoilt by the recumbent experience with its apparent forcefield which causes other road users to give you loads of room, vehicles passed me closer than I would have liked on this bike though still at more than 1.5 metres.
Reaching the river uneventfully I stopped on the bridge to watch the rain stippling the turgid flow. My Brompton is nominally a 3 speed model. However, I have a small chainring attached to the inside of the standard one to help me get up some of the hills hereabouts. This gives me 3 standard high-ish gears and 3 low gears. I nudged the chain with my toe while turning the cranks backwards and it smoothly changed to the smaller ring. There is plenty of adjustment to take up the slack as a side effect of the Brompton folding system which keeps the chain tensioned when folded.
I set off up Weaver St. which has the steepest stretch on the way home. I didn’t need to go lower than middle gear on the low ratio, and soon changed up as the hill eased. Once I’d passed the Swanlow Lane lights at the top of the long hill I encouraged the chain back on to the large ring and made good speed on the remainder of my route home.
Distance (by bike) 3.25 miles. Max speed 18.6 mph. Average speed 9.7 mph. According to Garmin.
Elevation 162 ft. According to Bikehike.
Tiny Ride Today Part 2
Failed Attempt to Collect Car by Train and Brompton.
A phone call from the car place, investigations done but needs booking in for more work, so can collect for the meantime. Was trying to have my tea and book a train ticket online at the same time, neither of which was going well. I was aiming to catch the 5:09 train as the dealer closed at six. Too much faffing about as Trainline. com acknowledged that I’d paid for a ticket but wouldn’t allow me to access it or print it out. In the end I took the reference number and hoped for the best, leaving late.
I steamed across town on the Brompton, not pausing to change to the small chainring but stomping up the hill on the other side of the river. I just kept going until I reached the station but a stream of people walking away from it told me that I was just too late. I dragged the non folded Brompton over the unfeasibly high footbridge hoping that there might be another train but the next one as far as I knew was the 6:09 which was too late. I sat in the platform shelter and got my breath back.
Three expresses hurtled by as I sat there, two heading north and one south, and a freight train heading south. I wondered in what other field of modern technology the only thing separating random unpredictable members of the public from hundreds of tons of machinery hurtling by at 110 plus mph was a painted yellow line on the floor, with instructions to stand behind it when said machinery thundered by.
I contacted HQ and gave Mrs T the glad tidings. Will have to collect the unhappy vehicle tomorrow.
I determined that I was going to take it much easier on the way back. No point giving myself a heart attack.
I was psyching myself up to drag the Brompton back over the footbridge when someone wandered by from the other direction. I realised that he’d come down a sloping path from the other side of the road bridge. I followed it and it came out in a pub car park. The traffic was intimidating so I crossed the road, got on a path and followed it round the corner at the next traffic lights. Soon I was in Rilshaw Lane, traffic free and mainly downhill, enjoying some leisurely trundling.
The trundling came to an end as I climbed to the bridge over the bypass then downhill on Station Road to cross the bypass itself. From behind came the amplified sound of a wasp in a bottle as someone on a two stroke scooter with a loud exhaust flew past the queue of cars. I rolled along towards the Weaver roundabout then left up Weaver Street. I didn’t put the chain on the small ring as before. Perhaps I was still pumped up with adrenaline and annoyance from not being able to bring the car back today but I got up it all on the big ring and got to my back gate feeling fine.
In my rush to get to the station I didn’t bring the Garmin so I just checked the route and elevation on Bikehike.
5.99 miles. Ascent 277 ft.
Total today 9.24 miles. Ascent 439ft.
14/3/24
Car to garage in Crewe, return by Brompton and Train.
With the Brompton folded in the boot I dropped off Mrs T in Stoke, returned to the main dealer in Crewe, unfolded the Brompton and left the car there for some work.
The morning had started out mild and dry, very promising for a bike ride home the long way round but by the time I left the dealer raindrops were spattering the showroom windows. It was not so bad once I was riding in it but I would have been drenched if I’d been out in it for an hour or so. I hoped it might ease off. I called in the station just to check the train times. If I’d had an hour or so to wait I would have cycled it anyway. As it happened there was a train in 6 minutes so I decided to hop on that. That’s the nearest thing I’m going to have to a train-ing ride today! With the ticket office being open it was simple, as the Brompton needed no pre booking being luggage when folded. I even had a lift down to the platform.
I folded the bike, hopped on the train when it arrived, and eight minutes later hopped off at my destination. After unfolding and checking that everything was secure (folding bike riders’ anxiety syndrome?) I set off gingerly across the car park then set off with more confidence down the road. Since the rain persisted I took the direct route down the bypass as it was mostly downhill.
Being rather spoilt by the recumbent experience with its apparent forcefield which causes other road users to give you loads of room, vehicles passed me closer than I would have liked on this bike though still at more than 1.5 metres.
Reaching the river uneventfully I stopped on the bridge to watch the rain stippling the turgid flow. My Brompton is nominally a 3 speed model. However, I have a small chainring attached to the inside of the standard one to help me get up some of the hills hereabouts. This gives me 3 standard high-ish gears and 3 low gears. I nudged the chain with my toe while turning the cranks backwards and it smoothly changed to the smaller ring. There is plenty of adjustment to take up the slack as a side effect of the Brompton folding system which keeps the chain tensioned when folded.
I set off up Weaver St. which has the steepest stretch on the way home. I didn’t need to go lower than middle gear on the low ratio, and soon changed up as the hill eased. Once I’d passed the Swanlow Lane lights at the top of the long hill I encouraged the chain back on to the large ring and made good speed on the remainder of my route home.
Distance (by bike) 3.25 miles. Max speed 18.6 mph. Average speed 9.7 mph. According to Garmin.
Elevation 162 ft. According to Bikehike.
Tiny Ride Today Part 2
Failed Attempt to Collect Car by Train and Brompton.
A phone call from the car place, investigations done but needs booking in for more work, so can collect for the meantime. Was trying to have my tea and book a train ticket online at the same time, neither of which was going well. I was aiming to catch the 5:09 train as the dealer closed at six. Too much faffing about as Trainline. com acknowledged that I’d paid for a ticket but wouldn’t allow me to access it or print it out. In the end I took the reference number and hoped for the best, leaving late.
I steamed across town on the Brompton, not pausing to change to the small chainring but stomping up the hill on the other side of the river. I just kept going until I reached the station but a stream of people walking away from it told me that I was just too late. I dragged the non folded Brompton over the unfeasibly high footbridge hoping that there might be another train but the next one as far as I knew was the 6:09 which was too late. I sat in the platform shelter and got my breath back.
Three expresses hurtled by as I sat there, two heading north and one south, and a freight train heading south. I wondered in what other field of modern technology the only thing separating random unpredictable members of the public from hundreds of tons of machinery hurtling by at 110 plus mph was a painted yellow line on the floor, with instructions to stand behind it when said machinery thundered by.
I contacted HQ and gave Mrs T the glad tidings. Will have to collect the unhappy vehicle tomorrow.
I determined that I was going to take it much easier on the way back. No point giving myself a heart attack.
I was psyching myself up to drag the Brompton back over the footbridge when someone wandered by from the other direction. I realised that he’d come down a sloping path from the other side of the road bridge. I followed it and it came out in a pub car park. The traffic was intimidating so I crossed the road, got on a path and followed it round the corner at the next traffic lights. Soon I was in Rilshaw Lane, traffic free and mainly downhill, enjoying some leisurely trundling.
The trundling came to an end as I climbed to the bridge over the bypass then downhill on Station Road to cross the bypass itself. From behind came the amplified sound of a wasp in a bottle as someone on a two stroke scooter with a loud exhaust flew past the queue of cars. I rolled along towards the Weaver roundabout then left up Weaver Street. I didn’t put the chain on the small ring as before. Perhaps I was still pumped up with adrenaline and annoyance from not being able to bring the car back today but I got up it all on the big ring and got to my back gate feeling fine.
In my rush to get to the station I didn’t bring the Garmin so I just checked the route and elevation on Bikehike.
5.99 miles. Ascent 277 ft.
Total today 9.24 miles. Ascent 439ft.
Windle
Über Member
- Location
- Burnthouses
A tiny ride of just 1 mile today! After being out for a run on my Cannondale I got back home and decided to have a look down to the Cockfield footpath on the Univega, complete with jazzy new bar tape. I just went to see if it was still a swamp but was pleasantly surprised ~ I think the winter traffic news terminology is 'passable with care' 
. Now I know I can have a crack at my local loop then, but not today, the legs were knackered after my hilly 17 miler before. Stopping on the way back up to take a couple of pictures and I spotted a grim sight just next to the bike, this poor fella lying dead at the bottom of a loose coil of fence mesh, probably went in after a mouse and couldn't get back out 
.
I pulled him out to have a better look, don't think he'd been dead long but very much an ex-barn owl, before depositing the corpse in the hedge back.
Anyway, the Univega with new bar tape.
Only the second ride out since putting the drop bars on, it feels a little stretched but still comfortable, maybe I'll flip the stem back the proper way up and see how it goes. I still got 83 feet of climbing in even though the ride was only a mile.
. Now I know I can have a crack at my local loop then, but not today, the legs were knackered after my hilly 17 miler before. Stopping on the way back up to take a couple of pictures and I spotted a grim sight just next to the bike, this poor fella lying dead at the bottom of a loose coil of fence mesh, probably went in after a mouse and couldn't get back out .
