Winter Projects - Cycling or otherwise.......

[sevenfourate]

I'm sure my version of a Seasonal Affected Disorder gets worse the older i get. I'm an outdoor person really......but one who's probably also turning into a 'wuss' - and much-much prefer to find an excuse not to do something outside in the cold if i absolutely don't have to.

I need some indoor projects. Not DIY per-se....but man-things. Carving something, creating something, making something, building a model blah blah

What does everyone else do to fill the long dark Winter evenings ?

 

[Tail End Charlie]

I have a Honda lawnmower engine to transplant onto a Hayter Hayterette lower when I get round to it. I foresee seized bolts etc.
I'll continue making things from wood. I'm trying to use only hand tools more, as I find it very therapeutic. The whole process of sharpening chisels and planes is great too. I'm very much a beginner though.
I also make the odd mosaic but the muses really have to be with me for this as they take ages. Good to do inside on really cold evenings though.

 

[gavroche]

I will ask my wife what indoor project she would like me to take up.

 

[Jameshow]

I built two pairs of wheels during COVID...

Also made projects as demonstration pieces for my men's shed chaps.

I don't have space ATM. (Nor am I mentally in the right place)

Next house will have a garage / workshop.

 

[Gunk]

I usually have a project on the go, but have decided to stop doing the bikes, I volunteer on a Wednesday for a local charity in their workshop so that provides my bike fix. However Mrs Gunk has bought me a new Brompton for my 60th in Jan and I’ll enjoy making that my own, just some some minor changes to make it suit me, the rack is coming off and I’m fitting a Brooks saddle and USB lights. Plus over Christmas I need to properly strip and service my Van Nicholas, so all fairly lightweight jobs, no complete restorations or builds from bare frames. Those days are over!

 

[Drago]

Believe a new workbench jn rhe garage. I have started assembling the necessary materials and have been polishing my hammers in readiness.

 

[All uphill]

As reported elsewhere I'm absorbed in revamping my workshop in the garage.

I set it up when I retired in 2017 using what materials I had. Now I know that it gets used I'm improving it with bought materials.

 

[ColinJ]

I have got 2 bikes to sort out.

Er, 3 bikes to sort out - 2 are for outdoors but the 3rd is being single-speed converted for smart turbo trainer duties. I am going to buy a turbo with virtual gear shifting so I can use the simplest (and cheapest!) possible bike. Then I need to repair the old TV that I aim to use with it.

I am also still pottering about working on the puzzle game that I wrote. I actually got it working over 5 years ago but I can't stop fiddling with it.The aim was to get it on the Google Play Store and try to make at least enough money to pay for a decent holiday each year. That would be quite difficult with a published game but totally impossible as long as it only exists on my personal devices!

Oh, and I should make the effort to tidy the house and complete a few construction tasks.

 

[DCLane]

I usually have a vintage bike project on the go. Until this morning I hadn't got one, but it's arrived. This winter I'll also be upgrading a couple of my own bikes as well.

 

[raleighnut]

Big HiFi and plenty of LP's/CD's to play

 

[All uphill]

I'm not sure it's a man thing, not many things I do are, but I'm using Duolingo to improve my French. This is in preparation for a couple of weeks on the bike in Normandy in May 2025.

The plan is to take the ferry from Portsmouth to Ouistreham, cycle to St Mâlo and then ferry back to Portsmouth.

 

[sevenfourate]

I'm not sure it's a man thing, but not many things I do are, but I'm using Duolingo to improve my French. This is in preparation for a couple of weeks on the bike in Normandy in May 2025.

The plan is to take the ferry from Portsmouth to Ouistreham, cycle to St Mâlo and then ferry back to Portsmouth.

You’re therefore an Explorer. That’s manly enough for me……

**Enjoy your trip. Sounds FUN !!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I try and ensure I get out in the day for at least an hour at some point. If it’s icy I’ve got some gritted road loops I can do. I do have marathon winters which I’ll fit if I can’t avoid the ice. If not on bike I’ll get out and go for a walk round local lakes. Ensures I get a dose of daylight and don’t get SAD.

Maybe this winter I’ll service the spare wheels and get the winters fitted for quick swaps. I do need to rebuild front wheel as dynamo went off under warranty. New dynamo sent back in return.

 

[Dirk]

Just run out of projects
On the lookout for another classic motorbike to rebuild.
Something will turn up.

 

[sevenfourate]

Just run out of projects
On the lookout for another classic motorbike to rebuild.
Something will turn up.

This I could get into. Any particular era ? Road, trials, off road ideally. British, Japanese or ?