Crash!

Me on Sunday 1 June after a 55 miler and 0.5 miles from home. Bike is a write off. I walked out of A&E 3 hrs later with bruising and a very sore left shoulder.

Cycling Back To Happiness

Thought this might be worth sharing. Apologies if you've already read it elsewhere.

Early on in 2013 I began to feel a bit down never really having suffered with personal mental health issues before. I shrugged it off as I took delivery of my new bike, the days lengthened and I prepared for the 1400km London-Edinburgh-London Audax (LEL) at the end of July. Come October, LEL and Super Randonneur series completed and the nights drawing in, the depression returned with a vengeance.

Mostly this was related to a stressful work environment, in fact thru October I was 'dealing' with the stress by drinking after every shift as I couldn't switch off any other way. This was obviously not a long term solution and I was hanging on for a week’s annual leave at the end of October. I didn't make the holiday before bursting into tears in the middle of a clinical area (I'm a Charge Nurse in A&E). I felt terrible and seriously thought about resigning on the spot. I even gave up on my Imperial Century a Month challenge nine months in!

The holiday was a temporary reprieve but ultimately work was still a major issue so, after long chats with my wife, on return to the UK I went to see my GP. The few weeks since then have been a bit of rollercoaster to say the least. He signed me off work, started me on antidepressants, we agreed some counselling and he has reviewed me at fortnightly intervals since. A few days after first seeing the GP I was knocked off my bike by a pedestrian, ending up with facial bruising, dental damage, 40 min memory loss and a poorly bike. I'd been cycling trying to keep positive and active. Cycling was temporarily halted but at least I was alive.

At this point sleeping was terrible, I felt negative about everything all the time (awake or asleep), I was having trouble interacting with my 7 year old who in turn started to keep her distance and my wife and I were in different beds as I was so restless. Can't work, can't sleep, family life in turmoil, stopped driving (didn't feel safe), not cycling - I felt I was being stripped of my life! My wife, family, work colleagues and friends were all really supportive but the first two weeks on meds things didn't get better but worse (often the case).

The bike went for repair and once my eye was open I started cycling on another bike. Just short distances to start with but it got me out of the house and gave me something I could actually enjoy for a while. Three weeks in I was back up to 30 miles on my newly repaired bike and last week managed 50 miles without too much difficulty (although I felt tired keeping up with cycling buddies on the hills). Sleep in still an issue and I've just started a short course of night sedation. However, my mood is now much better, work is not such a focus and I plan to return in the New Year.

For me cycling has provided some reprieve, motivation, exercise, enjoyment as well as a yardstick to measure progress. I've not always wanted to get the bike out, particularly on cold wet days, but have always felt better after making the effort. I couldn't have got this far without a great GP and medication, counselling and my wonderful wife. Cycling has been a great help for me thru this period. If I didn't already cycle I might have found something else. However, I can't overestimate the positive impact it has had for me.

So, I suppose what I want to say to anyone reading this who might be in a similar situation is: Things can get better, seek help and don't struggle by yourself, medications can be a useful aid to get you in better mental state to address problems, counselling can be very useful and, whatever you do, keep as active as possible - preferably on a bike.

LEL 2013. Done.

For anyone stumbling on this blog and wondering how I went on with LEL, I can happily report I completed it with time to spare and no major mishaps.

This is a link to an animated position graph. It shows me as a red dot. I started towards the back of the field at 09.45hr. About 1000 riders started and approx 800 completed in time.

And here is my medal :-)

LEL Prep - Weeks 3-5

The cold, snowy, icy weather was making the planned 200km audax look like a bad idea. However, after a big snowfall on the Friday, it melted, the rain came Saturday and night temps stayed around 6 degrees celcius so it all looked better. I decided to go for it but was concious the roads would be full detritus and there may be localized flooding so opted to ride the heavy, mudguarded, bullet proof tourer in preference to the road bike.

I cycled the 11 miles to the start and joined the 80 or so other cyclists for an 08.00hrs start. The weather was cold and showery with a fierce headwind on the outward leg. I found I was not achieving my expected average speed although was still within the audax time limits. I put this down to the heavy bike, the headwind and the undulating rather than 'flat' terrain i had expected.  Flooding was quite severe as well - often several metres long and above hub height in places with no way round. This slowed things down a tad too.

On the return leg, darkness had descended as I made my way along some unlit country lanes towards Wilmslow. The bike and lights were working well but I had been on the go for 11 hrs or so and covered 120 odd miles. My right knee was playing up and the GPS display had stopped lighting up due to a low battery. The knee has been a teeny bit painful for a few months and i wondered if it was down to age related changes made worse by the distance cycled - not good news if this was the case. I was still able to cycle on it but was having to take it much easier so my speed dropped further and i started to get cold. The GPS was revitalised with a plug in battery pack for another hr or so before this gave up the ghost.

I was now just 6 or 7 miles from the finish but cold, in pain and not sure which way to go along the unlit and generally unsigned lanes. I decided to quit and cycled a couple of miles to Alderley Edge to find a pub and arrange a lift. I still could have finished the audax in time and would have done my first 200k of 2013 but I had achieved what i'd set out to do. I had covered the distance without too much problem and done my imperial century for January. I'd confirmed my heavy bike is not the one to use for audaxing and decided the Edge 705 GPS, even with an external battery pack, is not adequate for 10+ hr rides.

So my wife collected me from a pub a few whiskys later. The next day I hobbled into work (A&E) and got an XR of the leg. No bony changes found - PHEW! The pain also changed in nature and became more of a band like pain down the outer thigh so probably muscular in origin. Painkillers helped and within 3 days I was walking almost normally. I didn't ride the bike for 5 days though!

LEL Prep - Weeks 1-2

Things have not got off to a good start but, hey ho, early days yet.

My aim to cycle al least 100 miles a week (measured as an average over a month) has been dealt a blow. I set off to do a 50-60 mile ride last week on my road bike and promptly broke the ratchet in my SRAM rear gear lever within a mile of home. I spent most of the day getting a replacement sorted out. Scratch that day. Tomorrow I was due to lead a 110 mile ride for my cycle club but I've postponed that due to the current inclement weather. Bang goes more miles and also my first shot at this months imperial century ride. I'm doing a shorter ride tomorrow and have a 200k audax booked at the end of the month so hopefully I can still make my targets.

Current distance for 2013: 125 miles.

Blog Resurrection

After a long dormant period I've decided to come back to my blog, dust off the cobwebs and settle down to entertain/bore you a little more. "Why does he want to do that?" I hear you mutter. Well, I feel I've got something actually worth blogging about that some people might find interesting. You see, come this summer I'm going to attempt something I have no certainty of completing and which will no doubt stretch me physically further than I have been stretched before. I have only gone and got a place on the London-Edinburgh-London (LEL) audax - a 1400km ride which has to be completed in just shy of 5 days. For those imperially minded folks that's about 180 miles per day. 

I will be blogging about my training plans, setbacks and milestones on the way, a new dedicated audax bike, etc., etc. My initial plans are to up my average weekly mileage from about 60 miles to around 100 miles, make sure I ride at least 1 x 100+ mile ride per month and complete an audax SR series prior to LEL. My first 100+ mile ride is scheduled for next week (if the weather plays ball) when I am leading a ride from Manchester to Blackpool and back but going a hilly way rather than following the flatter charity route. 

Will write again soon.

The LEL 2013 Route

Unbelievable!

So, I was cycling home after the last of three very busy, long days at work (and I mean longs days of 13.5 hrs!) looking forward to seeing my wife and having a wee dram. The weather was dry and warm, the traffic was very light and it was still daylight despite the time of 21.00hrs. I was wearing a bright red cycling jersey and had my lights on. What could go wrong?

I was on the main road in secondary and about to pass a side road to my left. A driver approached the give way to turn onto the main road and slowed almost to a stop a couple of metres from the junction. I attempted to make eye contact but he was looking the other way at the time. Still, I was pretty sure he'd seen me. We had direct line of sight and I was pretty visible. Less than a couple of seconds later I was passing in front of the junction at which point the vehicle suddenly accelerated over the give way lines towards me. 

I saw it happening and so accelerated and turned towards the centre line in an attempt to get out of the vehicle path. Not quite enough though and I was clipped on the back wheel/rear triangle. I had been doing about 15 mph before the junction and was likely doing about 18 mph by this point. I lost control completely as the back of the bike snaked from side to side before flipping me onto the road.

I hit the tarmac quite hard on my left side and rolled several times before coming to a rest. I didn't feel much in the way of pain and started to look up to get a vehicle reg. The elderly driver had pulled over and was coming across to me. "Unbelievable!" I shouted in a Victor Meldrew type way. "How could you not see me?" I then realised my arms, chest and neck were actually hurting quite a bit and so decided to lay still and ask for an ambulance. I knew I could move everything but also that the mechanism of injury was substantial and I might have neck injuries which could be made worse if I tried to get up. I didn't want to risk some permanent injury which might leave me in a wheelchair.

By now people were coming out houses and some cars had stopped. I was tended to by first aiders while we waited for the emergency services and then got fitted into a neck collar my head secured with blocks and was placed onto a spinal board for the transfer back to A&E. I say back to A&E because that is my place of work. I am a Charge Nurse there. 

I was assessed by the colleagues I had left an hour so before and fortunately my neck injuries were deemed to be muscular only. My worst pain was now in my chest and right arm but I had no fractures and was discharged with analgesia and advice. I rang the wife and she set out to collect me and in the meantime I spoke to the Police. Details were given and I learnt the driver was being charged with driving without due care and attention. I also found out where my bike was as it had been taken in by some one who lived close to the scene. 

I decided not to think too much about the damage to the bike and contact them tomorrow to arrange collection. I was glad to be alive but disappointed my long planned cycle trip along the Way of the Roses with my brother in law and his sons, due to start two days later, was now in serious doubt. I slept badly.

Back Blogging

Well, I've not blogged for quite some time so I thought I best do a quick update before I lose the habit all together.

It's not that I don't have any cycling stuff to blog about. I've actually got a fair list of issues I could blather on about. The main problem is I've just been too busy. You see we have been house hunting and working extra to get as much for a deposit as possible. We have now found somewhere so some of the pressure has eased for the moment at least.

The house (fingers crossed) will give us a garden for the Golden Child, a guest bedroom and, for me particularly, a garage/shed/workshop type area! My own dedicated bike storage and general tinkering area. Really excited.

The list of cycling things I hope to be writing about soon are as follows (this is as much to spur me on as whet your appetites!)

• Being knocked off my bike and taken to hospital on a spinal board (ouch!)
• Police and legal action following the above
• Cycling the Way of the Roses with some family (one of them on a Brompton)
• Adaptations of the Pedalpower+ battery unit
• Riding the new MTB trail at Philips Park, Prestwich
• Cycling with the Golden Child on the Tagalong
• A possible new bike for the missus (is this a more acceptable term than wifey?)
• Cycle tour plans for September 2012 in Wales
• Cycling the Manchester to Blackpool NIGHT ride in September

Hope to write again soon.

A Rosy Future

Been a while since my last post. Work, poorly relatives and house hunting have been taking an awful lot of my time up. Still cycling to work and back as ever but not much on two wheels just for fun of late. That is about to change very soon though!

Next weekend I am off to cycle the Way of the Roses - a 170 mile coast to coast route from Morecambe to Bridlington. Not only I am cycling it but I will have some company along. My brother in law (BiL) and his two adult sons (student types) are joining me. My brother was going to come as well but work meant he could not get the time off :-(

We are doing it over a leisurely four days. The longest leg will be fifty odd miles and the others will be a lot less. You see they are not really cyclists. My BiL does some short commuting on his Brommie and the two young 'uns don't even own bikes!! I will be on my trusty Santos Travelmaster, the BiL on his Brommie, tallest son on his Dads old road bike and the shorter son - well we haven't finalised that just yet. We are travelling light and staying in B&Bs/hotels.

I'm really looking forward to it. Expect posts and pics from the route.

Mind The Gap

Back to Blighty after my USA hols. Had a really great time but did miss my cycling, especially when I saw some of the MTB trails is Canyonlands, Utah. Still, at least I can get out on my bikes again and boy do I need it. Five weeks of not cycling + holiday eating and drinking and I have put 5 kg on!!

MTBing the Schaffer Trail. Canyonlands, Utah

Not much has changed in my time away although the tree blossom is out and the days are noticeably longer. Some news on the cycling infrastructure locally though. The Woolfold Gap project has been completed and has an official opening at 10.30 hrs on Monday 7 May. The project is part of a Sustrans backed scheme to add a bridge into the Kirklees trail between Bury and Tottington which also forms part of National Cycle Route 6. 

It is a drop in the ocean as far as I'm concerned but it will be a pleasant alternative to the busy roads in this area and should make cycle commuting between Tottington and Bury a viable alternative for local residents. I'll be going to the opening ceremony and hope to see some other like minded Manchester cyclists there as well.

Woolfold Gap Bridge, Bury

Bye For Now

Off on my extended hols. The house sitters are here and the bags are packed. Will be back at the end of April. Au Revoir and happy pedalling!

More Vehicular Cycling Reality

09.20 hrs on 12/03/12.

Even when the roads are not choked with traffic, the cycling infrastructure doesn't make it easy. That and drivers with absolutely no regard for other road users.

The video shows it all really.

*it appears not all cyclists share my feelings*

Vehicular Cycling Reality

Following on from my recent post where I suggested segregating cyclists fully from traffic on some roads is one way to really increase cycling numbers, I thought I would demonstrate the reality of vehicular cycling in one area of Manchester during rush hour.

This is part of my commute to work. Usually I travel in around 07.00hrs and the roads are much quieter but sometimes I work office hours as on this day. There is no way to avoid this traffic. Taking side roads for part of the route still feeds me into choked roads at some other point. There are no separate cycle lanes, canal paths, old rail lines or quite lanes. The bus/taxi/cycle lane is useful but is short lived and still gets prohibited traffic using it.

I am sure most experienced commuter cyclists will consider this the norm and wonder what the issue is. I don't consider it an attractive cycling environment although, if I'm honest, I do enjoy the challenge it presents. I think most non cyclists will look at it in horror though. I can totally understand why this kind of cycling environment is not likely to entice people to cycle.

New Rear Light

Got the new rear light today. I had glued the lens of the old light back together but it was only going to be a temporary repair until the new one arrived. I'll miss the old one but the new light is a fine replacement.

As you can see, despite both units coming from the Busch and Muller stable and including the word Toplight in their names, they look very different. The new light is smaller and much slimmer. In addition to appearance these are the main  changes: 

• It  has a smaller reflective area and gone is the LED nodule. Instead, above the reflector is a strip housing a lens system which spreads out light from two LEDs, turning it into one line of light visible from 320°. 
• Inside is a sensor which senses changes in current and then brighten the light when the bike slows quickly. 
• It has a off switch, although I will continue to control it from the front light as I have been doing since I went dynamo lit.

Like the old one though it has a condenser and so will remain lit for several minutes even after a short ride (really good at traffic lights and junctions). 

It was a doddle to fit. I unbolted the old light, removed the wires from the terminals and trimmed them. They attach to the new light either via spade connectors or snap fittings. I chose the latter, pushed the wires in and snapped the latch across, bolted the light to the carrier and spun the front wheel. Hey presto it worked! Took about 5 mins all told.

One thing I will not miss about the old light is the faff when fitting a pannier(s) to the rack it caused. Because it is so wide, it overhung the side of the rack and meant I had to manoeuvre the pannier fitting around it. Not hard when you got used to it but still a faff. The new light does not overhang and so faff is eliminated.

The one thing about rear lights is you usually only see other peoples in action. I intend to see how good this one is in proper commuter mode so I'll be getting my brother to ride around a bit a let me film him. Expect some footage in the future!

Cycle Segregation: A Way Forward?

I cycle (you know this already). I cycle on roads, off roads and on cycle lanes and paths. I tour, commute and shop on one bike, play on my road bike and MTB. I cover about 3000 miles a year. So I think I have a fair bit of experience of cycling provision in the UK. Most cycle paths/lanes are of poor design and quality - painted lip service to cycle provision - and a lot of UK urban roads designed with the motorist in mind and no thought for cyclists at all. You have to be confident, quick and thick skinned to use some of these roads. I am  a cycle convert though. I am happy to use my bikes in traffic (despite my recent left hook). I will cycle whatever and make the best of it. It doesn't mean I like it all the time.

Most non or occasional cyclists I talk to will not countenance cycling on the majority of UK main roads and cycling infrastructure. They find the idea mad, dangerous and suicidal. I understand why they feel this way. I will not let my young daughter cycle on UK roads, with my supervision, so why should I expect others to let their children? Why would a slow, under-confident 'leisure' cyclist choose to cycle a mile or so to the shops along a busy road when they can drive? How can these potential cyclists be encouraged to get on their bikes?

The Dutch, whatever your thoughts on how they do it, do promote cycling across a broad demographic. Up to the 70s however the car reigned supreme there as well. Some UK cyclists rubbish the Dutch style model for use in the UK despite their success. One of the main elements they seem to oppose is the segregation of cyclists and other traffic - completely separate lanes for cyclists rather than painted lanes on existing roads  common in much of the UK. They argue there isn't space and it will cost too much to provide. However, I fear what some cyclists are really concerned about is the loss of the right to use the road because of the provision of segregated cycling lanes and paths. I can totally understand this fear. I would much rather use the road than what passes for cycle paths/lanes on the whole. But there are some UK roads I am legally entitled to cycle on now I will not use anymore. I am just not that quick or confident to cycle on 50-60 mph dual carriageways for instance! In essence these roads are already banned to me. Just what is wrong with having quality cycle paths running alongside this type of road I wonder?

The suggestion segregation would not work in the UK in total nonsense IMHO. Promoting segregated cycle infrastructure in the UK as not about digging up and rebuilding all routes or barring cyclists from the roads. It is about applying selective segregation where it can work and would make a difference. In other places different measures would be needed to make cycling safer. Measures like: traffic calming, reducing speed limits, shared space schemes, increased permeability for cyclists, reducing HGV use at certain times/locations and so on and so on.

Increasing the number of cyclists and making it easier to cycle rather than use a car are things that can go a long way to aiding the environment and improving health. Segregation is just one tool in the box to increase cycling numbers. It should not be made out to be unsuitable for the UK because of the vested interests of a few fit and confident cyclists who fear they will lose out. Cycling should be for all who want it and the infrastructure should encourage this not and not limit it.

Left Hook...Ouch!!

Did the school run today and then a quick cycle to work in the rush hour traffic at about 09.15hrs. On the way I came a cropper when a motorist did a left hook on me just as I was filtering up the inside. Daylight, bright red top, Schmidt Edelux beaming away and CatEye Single Shot on strobe at mirror height still wasn't enough to notice me...because the driver never looked in the wing mirror!

I had been passing standing/crawling traffic on the outside. I'd moved to the inside a few car lengths before because the cars had thinned out a tad, a pedestrian island loomed ahead blocking my way and a bus/taxi/cycle lane started just after the next side road. I passed a couple of cars at the rear of the next queue and was just about to pass the side road when the motorist level with it decided to indicate and turn left all at the same time.

I had slowed from 20 mph to about 12 mph while filtering this section and was level with the boot of the vehicle as this happened and slammed both brakes on (which I was already covering). I had no where to go except forward. I'd hit the brakes so hard though I stopped the bike and went over the bars doing a roll onto the ground just by the rear of the car which was now sideways on. I think the bike did a 180 degree flip and landed on the rear rack busting the Busch and Muller Toplight Plus lens before it fell (gently) onto me! 

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The side road on the left and central traffic island with the bus lane just ahead 

I never made contact with the car but the driver realised what happened and pulled over in the side road. Several drivers got out from the standing traffic and a cyclist I knew stopped. There was much fussing telling me to keep still but I knew my main injury was a slight knock to my back where the bike had made contact and so I waved off any concern. I despise people who abuse the system and seek compensation for supposed injuries. The driver admitted fault straight away, gave profuse apologies and offered to pay for any damage to the bike so I decided to let it go at that, although not before pointing out they should check side mirrors and flipping an indicator does not provide some automatic right to turn.

We swapped numbers and I'll be in touch with the driver with the replacement cost for the light. I think I'll be upgrading to a Busch and Muller Toplight Brake Plus which acts as a combined rear light and brake light. At least something good came out of it anyway!

The new light!

Quality Segregated Cycle Infrastructure - UK Style

Just back from a few days teaching down in Oxford. Of course I went by train and took my bicycle for travel between station, hotel and course centre. 'Twas really nice to be somewhere there are so many cyclists out and about as part of normal everyday activities. It's certainly one of the quicker ways to get round in the city. There are a number of places that encourage cycling permeability, some cycle stands dotted aroung and quite a few cycle lanes, but on the whole the infrastructure is as piecemeal and shoddy as most other towns and cities in the UK. The number of cyclists is due, in large part, to the student population plus the cycle to the train station commuter brigade.

One of the main routes I used was along A40 - the northern by pass - between Headington and north Oxford. This formed a direct and very straight route for my journey (pro) but runs alongside a very busy and noisy urban motorway (con). The cycle route is shared with pedestrians and runs on one side of A40. It does not get much pedestrian use (the main foot propelled persons I noticed using it were runners) but does see a fair number of cyclists. While wide by UK standards and separated from the road (pro) the surface is poorly maintained (con), there are road signs planted in the middle of it (con), it is two way (con), it has a double road junction to cross halfway along (con), it is unlit as is the road and so really, really dark at night (con), and at the northern end, it stops short of the roundabout by a couple of hundred metres of so and puts you back into 60 mph traffic (con). Nice!

Nothing unusual then but what really annoys me (and other cyclists too) is when someone with alleged authority directs cyclists to dismount. They really have no idea!

A decent bit of segregated cycle infrastructure?

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Not good. And worse at 22 mph in the dark.

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Both roads to cross. Could be worse.

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No. I don't want to turn left. I want to go straight on.

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On Yer Bike!

Guided Cycle Touring

A large appeal of cycling for me is cycle-touring. It is one of the many facets of cycling that encouraged me back on to two wheels in 2008. I had have visions of taking off on an extended cycle trip to far flung areas for weeks or even months. Something I would will organise myself and be as self sufficient as possible.

Such a trip remains an ambition I may never achieve but in the meantime I do enjoy the little cycle tours I can fit in around other commitments. On these multi-day trips (rather than multi-week or month) I carry a fair bit of kit including camping and cooking stuff, plan the route myself rather than just follow a signed way and like to set my own pace for the most part (for 'own pace' read travel alone!). I want adventure not cosseting.

I know these kind of trips are not everyone's cup of tea and I am certainly not averse to other versions of cycle touring. Currently I am trying to bring together family, friends and dates for a four day trip following the Way of the Roses (WotR) from Morecambe to Bridlington this Summer. This will be a lightweight cycle tour, carrying just the minimal kit, covering less than 50 miles per day and staying in pre-booked B&B/hostels. I'm really looking forward to it.

I have been guided on a cycle tour myself in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it. This was back in 2010 in New York and it was a cycle tour of lower Manhattan lasting a few hours. I loved it. I also hope to go on a guided tour of London at some point. I have even toyed with the idea of setting up my own guided cycle tours of Manchester but I think I would struggle trying to compete with the attractions of the Big Apple and London!

So I am quite intrigued by what Will, a fellow cycle blogger (of WillCycle) is setting up in Devon where he lives. He is offering guided cycle tours lasting 2-3 days following the Devon Coast to Coast cycle route (AKA National Cycle Network 27). This runs north-south (or vice-versa) from Ilfracombe to Plymouth, utilises some picturesque cycle paths such as the Tarka Trail, Granite Way and Drake's Trail and follows old railway lines through gorgeous countryside for large parts - always a winning combination in my book. 

He knows other companies offer cycle tours in the area that provide directions and a baggage carrying service but his is different. These will be escorted trips by a cyclist who lives in the area and knows the history and geography well. What I really enjoyed about my guided trip in New York was the guide who escorted us and gave our little group a rich insight into a fascinating place in a short period of time. Get this right and you are halfway there IMO.

I wish him well with his venture and will follow his progress with just a little envy*. If you have ever fancied dipping your toe into the cycle touring lark but aren't ready for or don't fancy solo touring then what better place to start than with an escorted trip through one of England's most beautiful areas. This is his company website.

*The MiddleAgeCyclist has not received any payment (monetary or otherwise) for this blog post and genuinely just wants to help out a fellow cycle blogger with a great sounding business venture. Thank you.

First Snow Commute 2012

Well the snow came to most parts of the UK on 4 February and, as predicted by many, a few inches of the white stuff brought motoring misery for lots of drivers. I was at work when it started and the majority of staff coming in for the night shift were delayed. Not directly because of the snow but indirectly because a fair number of other drivers were unable to continue on their journeys and simply abandoned their cars. It does make me chuckle every year.

I got home in the fresh stuff on the bike with no problems. However, I changed my Schwalbe Marathon tyres for the Schwalbe Marathon Winter studded tyres in readiness for the next days return early morning commute. Took about 35 minutes all told. 

I was concerned the gritted, slushy roads would freeze overnight and make life on two wheels pretty risky. As it transpired the main roads were clear and the side roads were not too bad either. The studded tyres worked well though and I was able to put more power onto the road and corner more confidently than I would have done otherwise. 

As I am writing this on 6 February, most of the roads are now clear of snow and I was able to take the Golden Child to her Rainbows group on the tagalong. I will keep the studded tyres fitted for the next week or so. They run fine on tarmac (if a little noisy) and the cold weather is set to continue for a while longer I understand. There may be more snow yet and don't intend to get caught out.

Flashy Stuff

I'm getting there! 

Some dark-time messing on the way home from work tonight with: my Santos Travelmaster, lots of cycle lights and reflective stuff, and a camera/flash/tripod combo.

It's not quite what I want but the exposure information is useful. Expect more!

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Nikon D5000 with Nikon 12-24 mm DX AF-S f/4 zoom at 12 mm

Exposure: 6 sec // Aperture: f/5 // ISO: 800 // White Balance: Auto // Rear curtain flash

Photoshop: Crop. Levels. Minimal clone stamp to remove lens flare. Sharpening