Today's ride resulted in rather more bruises that I had hoped for, but also proved that some car drivers (BMW - I think) are kind and considerate and more importantly, human!
The ride/commute started off badly, by
when the forecast suggest nothing of the kind, so I ignored it and didn't put my waterproof jacket on... then it got heavier but I was going downhill, then it continued and by now I was damp, and decided that it was now pointless putting on my waterproof and 45 minutes after it started to
, it finally stopped... A few miles further on my chain decided that it wasn't going to mesh with the cassette as I tried to pull away at a minor turn onto a major A road (I have to do about 1/2-1 mile on the A54)... The result was that the pedals moved, the bike didn't, there was an awful crunching noise and gravity took over...
. I can't land on my left side at all, or for that matter get the foot our of the toeclips in a rush (due to being slightly paralysed down that side) so once I topple too far to the left, the outcome is inevitable. The outer chainring has cut into right my leg, but thankfully was clean enough not to have filled the scratches with muck... and there are rather more physical bruises on my legs than I had hoped for... A BMW driver stayed at the junction and waited until I was back on my feet and then continued to wait until he had seen me back on my bike and cycling - he was genuinely concerned (kind of him, if a touch embarrassing
). Once I was around the corner, a convenient bus stop was located and I was able to check the bike over, which was of course now behaving... more or less. I only checked the chain at the weekend and know it is not yet at 0.75% so think this is just a case of an indexing issue.... But I now have an annoying click at the top of every pedal stroke and predominately on the inner chain ring and I think my right calf has whacked the front derailleur because it is now complaining (chain rattle) loudy in every gear except 50/11
... I knew of a bike shop that I went passed, so called in there hopeful that there was no major issues. The guy although very busy was concerned enough that it had thrown me from my bike to assist me, but also could find nothing and he checked for chain stretch as well. He did pick up that my front hub has some play in it (which is worrying because the sealed cartridge bearings were only replaced 3,000km ago) but otherwise bike seems OK.
Coming home was much less eventful, and slower mostly due to a headwind, but was also
... bike and I need some TLC this evening but it is a case of me first. It would be a long hot soak in a bath, if we had one... I shall have to settle for a warm shower - it will help to make up for the cold 45 minute on this morning!
Right on my front door step, I spotted this little fellow. A tiny moth I think... its about 7mm wide and 10mm long!
View attachment 52711
(Edit: since id'ed by
@djb1971 as a mint moth
)
A slowish 69.5km
http://www.strava.com/activities/176871802
ing on me today.
Last week I got wolf whistled as well... guess this diet is working 
... Anyhow - 2 fast commutes and 2 faster times on 2 existing QOM's and a 22.2kph average has me a happy bunny (don't think I can get any more 2 in there!) given that it was a headwind in both directions today! (yeh - I know what you are thinking, but it did a 120-180 during the course of the day and genuinely was a headwind both ways 
I'd noticed the rear tyre was soft in the morning so did a puncture repair at lunchtime taking out a small thorn. On the way back in the evening I pressed on so as to be back in time to change and go out for the evening. It felt hard work but not as bad as on Wednesday thanks to lighter winds. I passed even bigger queues of traffic which made me feel a bit smug.
The legs felt better today and I took another minute off the time getting there (just over 43 minutes for the 10 miles) without trying.
) and I got passed and left behind by a guy on a 
