Not sure it you will have seen this but it is worth seeing again if you haven't.

Not sure it you will have seen this but it is worth seeing again if you haven't. We are invisible, frequently invisible and there are good reasons why unfortunately. Have a read, it is interesting enough, but more importantly tell people how badly we humans look at stuff!
Oh and if you don't do it already it puts a little science behind the obvious "make yourself seen" choices.

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/raf-pilot-teach-cyclists/

Chris Auton hung out with 1 person.Tim Auton

Chris Auton hung out with 1 person.Tim Auton

Am guessing some of you will have seen this, and some of you not but it is probably worth another look anyway.

Am guessing some of you will have seen this, and some of you not but it is probably worth another look anyway. Ever had a fellow road user "not see you"? Well, it looks like they may have a point...
Spread this as it includes advice on how to avoid missing stuff right in front of you... And maybe why they can miss us on the bike...
http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/raf-pilot-teach-cyclists/

The gingerbread house is starting to look structurally challenged...

The gingerbread house is starting to look structurally challenged...

I was given a #Zippo Handwarmer on Christmas day.

I was given a #Zippo Handwarmer on Christmas day. Not unusual to be given a gift, granted, but it is a slightly amazing thing...
Fill it with lighter fluid, according to the instructions, which basically means full to brimming for the first fill, then light.
On the box and in the instructions it claims "up to 12 hours" of hand warming.
32 (yes, thirty two) hours later IT'S STILL GOING! And it is working well, pleasingly warm all the time, almost too warm when trapped in a jeans pocket. It is bloody amazing, that's what it is! It's easy to see why the design of catalytic hand warmers hasn't really changed in nigh on a hundred years, they are simply brilliant as they are.
Now my only concern is whether it will go out before tomorrow so I can refill it for a walk. Hope I remember to not brim it next time I use it as well.
Already considering getting another for my other half as they are pretty cheap if you shop around...

http://www.zippo.co.uk/product.php?id=542

This bacon drink is taking too long to create. #effervescentmyarse #baconmakeseverythingbetter?

This bacon drink is taking too long to create. #effervescentmyarse #baconmakeseverythingbetter?

Minor injuries clinic, fantastic resource, even when it isn't for me :-)

Minor injuries clinic, fantastic resource, even when it isn't for me :-)
Thank you NHS!

Just noticed the "mood" thing at the bottom of the G+app, not sure I really get the point but what the heck, it's...

Just noticed the "mood" thing at the bottom of the G+app, not sure I really get the point but what the heck, it's Christmas and I'm "Feelin' great!"

Nicola Auton and daughters started project Gingerbread House on Sunday.

Nicola Auton and daughters started project Gingerbread House on Sunday. Eldest (2 & 3/4 years old) daughter and I finished it on Monday.
I think we did pretty well considering our relative lack of experience... 1st time for us all :-)
Merry Christmas to you all!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!
Seeing as I am up and Google+ told me it was your birthday :-)

Not sure when it happened but Google Currents suddenly became something I want to use. Thanks again Google...

Back again for a reliable if not awesome meal.

Watched this at Chatsworth House this evening. What a show!

Watched this at Chatsworth House this evening. What a show!
http://elementalforceuk.com/

Always thought government cuts in the millions were, in the scheme of things, trivial, and that is here in the UK.

Always thought government cuts in the millions were, in the scheme of things, trivial, and that is here in the UK. Even more meaningless stateside...

Originally shared by Iron Patriot

Shared from a friend.  Thanks Francis!

*I'm going to bite the bullet, too!!!!
 
President Obama ordered the cabinet to cut $100,000,000.00 ($100 million) from the $3,500,000,000,000.00 ($3.5 trillion) federal budget.
 
I'm so impressed by this sacrifice that I have decided to do the same thing with my personal budget. I spend about $2,000 a month on groceries, household expenses, medicine, utilities, etc., but it's time to get out the budget cutting axe, go through my expenses, and cut back.
 
I'm going to cut my spending at exactly the same ratio (1/35,000) of my total budget. After doing the math, it looks like instead of spending $2,000 a month, I'm going to have to cut that number by six cents. Yes, I'm going to have to get by with $1999.94, but that's what sacrifice is all about.
 
I'll just have to do without some things, that are, frankly, luxuries – six cents worth.
 
Did this President actually think no one would do the math? Please send this to everyone on your list so people understand how idiotic a $100 million cut is in a $3.5 trillion budget – ludicrous
 
"There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation...
One is by sword...
The other is by debt."
John Adams 1826*

A crisp winters day, ice, sun, no wind, perfect day for "an expedition, daddy" with the girls (2 years 7 months, and...

A crisp winters day, ice, sun, no wind, perfect day for "an expedition, daddy" with the girls (2 years 7 months, and 7 and a bit months respectively) :-) #perfect

It's a bit noisy, but it was spectacular in the flesh, full spate over the dam.

It's a bit noisy, but it was spectacular in the flesh, full spate over the dam.

Post ride snack, hot chocolate with marshmallows and date crumble, and one of the days at Ladybower in full spate,...

Post ride snack, hot chocolate with marshmallows and date crumble, and one of the days at Ladybower in full spate, just awesome in the flesh. Really wished I had taken a proper camera to to it justice.

After my most significant lul in cycling for years I rode my bike, for a bit!

After my most significant lul in cycling for years I rode my bike, for a bit! Pretty poxy conditions for a social tide removed the hours of plugging over the moors option and replaced it with a pool around Lady Bower and associated reservoirs. The dams were in full spate, the sun popped out, we stopped, we chatted, we had a thoroughly charming time as it happens. Followed by hot chocolate and date crumble slice... Lovely :-)

Strava is a little more direct... I just rode 15.1 miles! Check it out on Strava: http://app.strava.com/activities/29504899
http://app.strava.com/activities/29504899

Now this is a productive way to waste some time and imagination :-)

Now this is a productive way to waste some time and imagination :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0jmSsQ5ptw

70's bike support! Gotta love this guys style!

70's bike support! Gotta love this guys style!

Finally did it, I rode a bike again!

Finally did it, I rode a bike again! Must be maybe 8 weeks of man-flu and recovery and other excuses, and it is a pretty tiny ride, but I can breath still, walk still and smile still.
It is particularly good to be back :-)
Oh, and thanks to Ed Oxley  at Great Rock I could remember what to do on a bike, now just need to find somewhere a bit less muddy, and that I have actually ridden before to cut loose a little ;-)

http://app.strava.com/rides/27197751
http://app.strava.com/rides/27197751

Ok, actually take 3, I hope you are watching Tim Auton

Ok, actually take 3, I hope you are watching Tim Auton
" Meet George, he is our "robot butler" (yes, I know it is a robot vacuum cleaner) and his part time supervisor, Number 1 daughter :-)"

Meet George, he is our "robot butler" (yes, I know it is a robot vacuum cleaner) and his part time supervisor,...

Meet George, he is our "robot butler" (yes, I know it is a robot vacuum cleaner) and his part time supervisor, Number 1 daughter :-)

Want, to keep my Nexus 7 company ;-)

Want, to keep my Nexus 7 company ;-)
http://www.t3.com/news/google-lg-nexus-4-announced

Getting ready...

Getting ready...

An acceptable start to the day I think...

An acceptable start to the day I think...

Right, 5 weeks of chesty, snotty, generally unpleasant illness has finally, it seems, subsided.

Right, 5 weeks of chesty, snotty, generally unpleasant illness has finally, it seems, subsided. Don't want to tempt a relapse (again) but I WILL ride a bike in the next couple of days. I bloody well will.

Lovely conversation in the head of Robert Llewellyn The electric car version, not the Red Dwarf version...

Lovely conversation in the head of Robert Llewellyn The electric car version, not the Red Dwarf version...

Originally shared by Robert Llewellyn

I drove 272.5 miles in one day, in a car.
Big deal.
Okay, in an electric car, in the UK, in 2012.
Sounds rubbish. I can do 550 miles on a tank, takes 2 minute to refill.
Fair enough.
And your electricity comes from burning coal. So your green electric car is actually dirtier!
Oh right, that old chestnut.
It’s true! You green fascist!
It’s nearly true. About 30% of our electricity comes from burning coal.
See! I was right.
The rest is from natural gas, nuclear and renewables.
Yeah, whatever.
Plus a lot of electricity is used to refine petrol and diesel.
So?
So, we burn coal to make petrol to burn in our cars. The electric car uses less electricity per mile than a petrol or diesel car.
Rubbish, that’s a green fascist lie.
It’s a very well established fact.
Anyway, to drive that far you would have to stop and re-charge the batteries every 40 miles which would take, like 8 hours.
I re-charged every 60 or 70 miles and it took ten minutes, using a fast charger like the one in the picture.
Oh yeah, well, fast chargers ruin the battery, you’re going to have to replace your green battery after 5,000 miles and it’s going to cost £40,000.
If you only ever use a fast charger then the battery life will be shortened, but I use them 3 or 4 times a month so it makes little or no difference. 90% of electric car drivers charge their cars at home 90% of the time. The battery will last well over 100,000 miles and can be entirely re-furbished by the manufacturer re-using 95% of the components. Cost estimates are in the £5,000 to £8,000 bracket.
That’s still insanely expensive!
The average fossil fueled car will cost at least that much in servicing over a 100,000 miles, plus of course the cost of fuel.
Still insane if you ask me.
An electric car will cost around £1,500 to charge when driven 100,000 miles. An economic petrol model of the same size that can average 50mpg will cost £12,000 in fuel alone.
They still cost too much to buy new.
After 40,000 miles, a Nissan Leaf is cheaper to buy and drive than a Ford Focus 1 liter ecoboost. After 100,000 miles it’s embarrassingly cheaper.
Yeah, whatever. They are still rubbish.
Fair enough, just wanted to get the facts out there.
I hate you.
Okay.
Clarkson is God
Indeed, have you taken your pills today?

(The bottom picture was taken after the car had been re-charged at home, it shows the total mileage from yesterday and the potential range today)

Think I should gave worn boots to school today #scruffyteacher :-)

Think I should gave worn boots to school today #scruffyteacher :-)

Chris Auton hung out with 1 person.Nicola Auton

Had a "hangout" with my brother, Tim Auton this evening.

Had a "hangout" with my brother, Tim Auton this evening. For a while I have been convinced I am living in the future, but just talking rubbish with him in the room, when he wasn't really, was cool. And definitely a future thing, not a past thing :-)

Chris Auton hung out with 1 person.Tim Auton

Chris Auton hung out with 1 person.Tim Auton

This kid is going to be really handy...

This kid is going to be really handy...

Originally shared by BikeRadar

Man wish I could shred on a bike like this when I was 4

Definitely worth a watch - just for the kid's commentary alone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qmQrEM5rVA

I think I can describe these as our daughters early steps in cycling.

I think I can describe these as our daughters early steps in cycling. Not her first outing, but only been on it a handful of times. Starting to get comfortable on it now. Couple of quicker moments were experienced #itwillcome :-)

Well that's it, I have recorded a run on Strava.

Well that's it, I have recorded a run on Strava... the slippery slope to quick and easy exercise lies before me. No risk of breaking any records just yet though :-)
I just ran 2.0 miles! Check it out on Strava: http://app.strava.com/activities/21949357
http://app.strava.com/activities/21949357

Not a bad average speed considering the fact that I was on my MTB singlespeed, running 32:16 #spintowin :-) short...

Not a bad average speed considering the fact that I was on my MTB singlespeed, running 32:16 #spintowin :-) short blast to collect the car well enjoyed.

Check it out on Strava: http://app.strava.com/activities/21647853
http://app.strava.com/activities/21647853

It was a beautiful day to be out today, didn't have the bike but there is always next time :-)

It was a beautiful day to be out today, didn't have the bike but there is always next time :-)

Wednesday arrives, yet more school... and a ride!

Another day another dollar/pound/yen (delete as appropriate) in school. Actually went pretty well. Tried a new (for me) way of working with classroom support and it went really well. My right hand woman for two mornings a week took the class and I just worked with two kids who clearly needed some specific help. It was great, almost uninterrupted teaching time and the rest of the class got on really well. That will happen much more often I think...

After school though I barely saw my little girls as it was ride night. Dash home, pack up kit, shoot off to mates house, have tea and get on the bike... and when I say bike I mean the 456 Evo I built up a the weekend.
Now, normally we would ride for an hour and a half to two hours on a Wednesday night, It used to be longer but fatherhood, work and all the other niggles that suck up your time creep in and it slowly shrinks. Not a bad thing, just other priorities have to take over sometimes. Well, thanks to a "misjudgement" by my ride guide (otherwise known as my father in law) we were out for 22 miles, and about 2 and a half hours. On my new, heavier, singlesped bike.

Bloody hell some of those hills went on for a while! According the the (Strava assisted) GPS only about 1,800 feet of climbing, so the GPS in my phone is clearly bust as it must have been much nearer a mile... Shattered by the end of it but, despite the extra weight, and only one gear, and being a hardtail I still managed to pretty much match the only Strava segment I recognised (when you take out the 30s I spent sat at the start as I waited for my ride buddy to start). It rides really well.

It is clearly a bit more slack up front than the Carrera Fury it replaced and than my EX9 but more importantly, it is smaller than the Fury. Although the Fury was a 20" frame, and the 456 is an 18" it is much smaller feeling. Same length chainstays (well, I didn't have to alter the chain as I moved it across) and steel of course, but everything on it apart from the seatpost collar is the same so it is a good comparison. And it really does seem to cope with rocky downhill stuff much more capably than the Fury did. Somehow seems to be able to make more use of the travel available form the (ultra basic) coil Tora 318 that is is sporting.

I got home annoyed that I had been out so much later than I expected, had only taken one light but was out until it got properly dark, but also pretty pleased that despite my lethargy towards the end the bike was still performing pretty well under me. At this point I should probably give some credit to Ed Oxley for the training at the weekend which also certainly helped in the early stages when I was still thinking about what I was doing :-)

All in all a good day, almost worth keeping a diary for ;-)

Oh, and a picture of the bike before the ride.

Oh, my, god... That is amazing :-)

Oh, my, god... That is amazing :-)

Originally shared by Erin Reedy

how do I get me one of these
http://youtu.be/ERQHRo0fHGE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERQHRo0fHGE

I have to say, I am delighted that possibly my favourite photographer (and his video stuff looks pretty good so far...

I have to say, I am delighted that possibly my favourite photographer (and his video stuff looks pretty good so far too) has landed on G+, Dan Barham Photography should track him down.
Looking forward to some (more) beautiful imagery landing in my stream...

Tuesday, it's just another day...

Well, the kids were back in school today and fortunately my own kids made sure they got up at about 5:15 and 5:30 to ensure my early get up (alarm at 6 usually) but still occupy my time until my normal alarm time. So no mega early start for me then. Still, all in all a good day. Kids happy to be back, good start on academic work, new kid joining the class looks like they will settle in really well and I even got a chunk of marking done!

Everyone is a winner. Even the "lost phone" scare was resolved, who knew a phone in a nappy wouldn't get signal and therefore not ring when you are trying to find it! Glad it wasn't mine :-)

Oh, and here is a random picture, of my lunch, because I feel like it... (and it had two extra items, care to guess which are the extras?)

As far as opening posts on Google+ go, it's a good 'un!

As far as opening posts on Google+ go, it's a good 'un!

Originally shared by Dan Barham Photography

Operation Start Using Google+ begins.

Monday, the first day back...

Well, summer is over and it is time to return to school. INSET day (IN SErvice Training if you don't know) to bring us back up to speed for the next year. As we all move our classes up half a term early the summer break is only a half term academically, but it does still take some revving back up from.

Not much to say really, good to see people again, missing my family for only the second time in weeks, that I can think of. Good to get back home though.

Cycle commuting should be back on this week, although probably only one day, Friday is looking most likely although we have an after school event on Thursday that might scupper that one. I don't think I will be able to transport a PA and radio station on the bike, trailer or no!

Sunday catch-up, the big bike build...

Didn't get round to posting yesterdays diary entry, so here it is.

I built up my bike, he blue On-One 456 Evo that I got for my birthday. Took all the bits of my old Carrera Fury (and no, I didn't clean them) to get it running. Went pretty smoothly apart from...

The adaptor in the headset press got stuck inside the bottom cup an wouldn't come out, until I froze it, with frozen chilli...

The drive side external BB cup kept trying to cross thread, so I had to fit the non-drive side, then the crank (from the wrong side) to guide the drive side on straight.

The DMR single speed tensioner has a "bit" in the dropout to stop it rotating, which is thicker than the dropout on the steel 456 frame, so it was fouling the wheel, hacksaw deployed... Followed by a conical v-brake washer to space the bolt so it didn't also foul the wheel when done up.

Oh, and the seat clamp from my old bike was too big...

Pretty smooth otherwise :-)

The Belgian GP was pretty good as well but I missed some as I played with the bike build. Hoping for a seat clamp before Wednesday and the Wednesday night ride, might actually need some lights this time...

Stop Crashing and international rescue!

Well, shortly after yesterdays blog my mobile rang, and it was my dad calling, from a mobile phone... Means nothing to you, means something has gone wrong to me, and boy had it gone wrong!

Essentially, they were on a motor rail train hat stopped, the attendant told them they had an hour, so hey went for a short walk, back in plenty of time to find the train... gone. Yep, car, clothes, passports, everything, gone. They were bundled into a taxi to catch up with the train, but the taxi went to the wrong station, they found when the train didn't arrive.

Cue the phone call and the ensuing efforts to find a way to get them from Bruchsal in Germany to Basel in Switzerland, trains, planes and taxis (OK, automobiles) all failed, as did the battery in their phone eventually... Cue a very late night and little sleep,  before getting up early for a mountain biking course. Stop Crashing 1 with Ed Oxley of Great Rock.

Great day! I can't do anything I couldn't do before, apart from rolling a significant (to me) drop off. I am however much better at everything I could do. Smoother, more efficient feeling. I am now however knackered so, parents have a plan, and I need to ride more, so night night :-)

Another day, another form of transport, or two...

Lost my last finely crafted post to an errant blogger app so, in brief...
Poorly old car revived with... spark plugs! And oil! Not overly tech, and could still use an air filter.

Swimming, first time in ages for older girl, first time ever for 18 week old. Was all good :-)

Will take more care with posts if I start to think anyone is actually reading this ;-)

p.s. still pretty achey after yesterdays off...

Ouch, bugger and ouch...

Well, today consisted of a bit of time in school getting my classroom ready, bit of time at home and shopping enjoying domestic bliss, and then a quick ride to make sure my new pads fit ok.

Ouch, only a short ride, in the twilight, in the woods. Over the bars and now as I make a quick missive to keep the diary ball rolling my chest/ribs are aching. Sure I haven't broken anything, not that painful, but ooo, you know that muscle that joins your chest to your shoulder, at the front? Bit tender around there I can assure you!

Still, pain is tempory and it was good to get out, and get brambled to buggery!

Oh, and my little girl is older than I thought, 18 weeks! Time flies when you are having fun doesn't it :-)

So I get the knee pads, ready for my training on Saturday with Great Rock

So I get the knee pads, ready for my training on Saturday with Great Rock 
Really ought to go for a bit of a ride, just to make sure they will stay comfy after a bit of a ride, makes sense so far?
OK, so maybe going out at twilight, without lights, wasn't the best idea. Looking at the scenery rather than where I am going through the darkening twilight resulted in a slow, but hard OTB moment.
The recent wet weather has resulted in some vicious brambles and nettles as well, that are almost invisible in the dark. Mild ouch and tingle, and thoughts of kneepads versus kneepads with shin pads... maybe next time.

Shopping and pooing...

Not my poo, just to make that clear right from the start!

Today's mission, for me anyway, was to get some kneepads to wear when mountain biking. I ride, no, scrub that.
I walk some fairly technical stuff when out with my riding buddy Dave, who can ride it. Partly the fear of injury (again) and partly a lack of skill hold me back, so I walk. The solution (and part of the reason Dave is better) is Ed Oxley of Great Rock MTB training. I am off there on Saturday and he strongly advises wearing some knee pads. I have considered them before but never quite had the impetus to actually go out and buy some.

The list was, Raceface Dig as recomended by @DanLees via twitter, G-Form because they looked light and interesting, 661 whatevers because everyone has them and Poc, because I am worth it :-)

Well the Dig was comfy, but very warm. Felt a bit like having a duvet wrapped around my knee. Not at all unpleasant but they were the first I had tried on so I wasn't going to be buying them straight away.

Next up some lovely 661 D3O pads. They were OK, but rubbed, after about 5 minutes pedaling a bike up and down they were already rubbing and digging in to my shins. Funny shaped knees and 661 are out.

Then the G-Form... Promising to look at the reviews but they really seemed to offer almost no protection other than a simple drop onto your knees being somewhat protected, and they weren't even that comfy due to me being somewhat between sizes.

Then on to 18 Bikes in Hope to see the most expensive of the lot, the Poc Joint VPD knee (but not the V2.0 ones, thy really are expensive!) and surprise surprise, they fit really well. Easily well enough for a few hours in the saddle I think, and plenty of protection it feels like... In case you haven't already guessed, I am now sat here wearing my Poc knee pads. The book says they get more comfy when you get them up to body temp so...

Other than that, the little one is still desperate to roll over, the big one is still struggling to find her boundaries and having (little) tantrums when she gets "no" as an answer. Big one is however really getting into her "reading" in a big way. My wife is still lovely and too modest a cook.

And the poo? The little one seemed to be on a mission today! Surprised she isn't like an empty carrier bag  right now :-)

See you next time...

Title

Post birthday weekend wind down.

Still here! Day three, second entry, very relaxed day...
Intermittent reading with eldest child, who revealed that her favourite book is pretty much committed to memory, and can pick out the words on the pages. No, she can't "read", but she is only just past two and loves her books. It is very satisfying to see :-) An event almost overshadowed by the little one (17 weeks) nearly rolling over for the first time, only a matter of days now, she is so close!

Am up unneccisarily late again ;-( but still off to bed earlier than of late ready for a ramping up of tomorrows activity. Only a week to go before I am back at work. Had I mentioned I was a teacher? Sure I had, but my Y3s will be expecting an exciting classroom and curriculum and I have to get my MTB training in on Saturday so that is a day less :-)

Anyway, uneventful and relaxing days don't really make exciting reading, but this is my diary and I should just about remember today with those words above so, night all...

I am 40...

Yesterday I turned 40. It wasn't earth shattering by any means, but it was a lovely day. It has however got me thinking a little about the things I have and haven't done in my life. No regrets or anything too deep but...

I have never kept a diary.

This (I expect you have already guessed) is going to be it. Yes, I realise I missed the first day, but hey, give me a break, it was my birthday! The Nexus 7 I got for my birthday may well assist me in this endeavour, especially if the voice recognition is as good as it at first appears.

In short, yesterday was spent in the company of my wife, two daughters, dad, step-mum,  mother and fathers in law and Grandad in law (if such a thing exists). Out to a stately home for a major picnic (only slightly rained off) and a stroll around the grounds, also pretty damp in places. Then off to my mums for an unexpected, and very pleasant, evening. Unexpected as it was a little last minute and, well, I don't always get on that well with my mum. It was good though.

Today? BBQ for most of the day with a random selection of work, family and friends staying for various lengths of time. A really good day it was too. I am however now shattered and need to sleep before tacking the slight disruption to our usually tidy(ish) house.

There first two diary entries, one late already... Wonder how long I will keep up a diary... and how my writing will change...

That falafel burger was very tasty indeed. Now for a bath bun :-)

Sweet! Natural bike rack!

Sweet! Natural bike rack!

The dramatic announcement that Strava would like to make on my behalf is...

The dramatic announcement that Strava would like to make on my behalf is...
"I just rode 13.4 miles! Check it out on Strava: http://app.strava.com/activities/18645283"

Truth be told though, after yesterdays little jaunt and today's weather I am pretty chuffed with my single speed self flagellation. Never ceases to amaze me how direct, and in some ways easy, riding a bike with one gear is. It rocks!
...but don't you dare try and take away my geared bikes, I am not a fully fledged masochist!
http://app.strava.com/activities/18645283

Tonights ride, canoe or bike?

Tonights ride, canoe or bike?

When I said I thought it was a little warm today it seems I underestimated a little... #thatisgoingtosting

When I said I thought it was a little warm today it seems I underestimated a little... #thatisgoingtosting

As Strava would put it "I just rode 42.9 miles! Check it out on Strava: http://app.strava.com/activities/18486650 "

As Strava would put it "I just rode 42.9 miles! Check it out on Strava: http://app.strava.com/activities/18486650 "

Was good to get out for a few, deceptively sunny, miles with my dad.
http://app.strava.com/activities/18486650

20 minutes to shower, dress, and then fettle bike for a 40 mile pootle with my dad #pushingit

Rick Horsfield I have had a go with My Tracks, brilliant!

Rick Horsfield I have had a go with My Tracks, brilliant! 6 hour ride today and it used less than a third of the battery. Way better than I have had from other logging apps. Thanks for the tip (now I just need to get fit enough to exploit it).

Right, let's see if bleeding there Elixirs is going to be a lot more faff than my XT/XTR mix on the SS bike...

Right, let's see if bleeding there Elixirs is going to be a lot more faff than my XT/XTR mix on the SS bike...

Pistachio nuts, they only have a shell to try and slow you down right?

Pistachio nuts, they only have a shell to try and slow you down right?

Life's a beach, and so's the sky #badlymisquoted ;-)

Life's a beach, and so's the sky #badlymisquoted  ;-)

Stinging shins, aching calves, burning thighs and a huge hunger and thirst.

Stinging shins, aching calves, burning thighs and a huge hunger and thirst... I must have been riding my bike! Enjoyed it too even if it was properly hard work after the minimal riding recently but really good to be back out.
http://app.strava.com/rides/14518961
http://app.strava.com/rides/14518961

Just walked across the garden with a frozen garlic baguette... You?

This weeks robot butler (OK, vacuum cleaner) repair was nice and straightforward for a change, he was a bit bunged...

This weeks robot butler (OK, vacuum cleaner) repair was nice and straightforward for a change, he was a bit bunged up poor chap.

Found "the other" boiler room to keep my bike in at work. Got to love a Victorian school with a big cellar.

Found "the other" boiler room to keep my bike in at work. Got to love a Victorian school with a big cellar.

I know it isn't much but hey, the little one is only a couple of months old!

I know it isn't much but hey, the little one is only a couple of months old! So, I just rode 8.8 miles! Check it out on Strava: http://app.strava.com/activities/13118046
http://app.strava.com/activities/13118046

Through a mistake of my own I had this for my lunch today, was worried it wouldn't have enough calories to keep me...

Through a mistake of my own I had this for my lunch today, was worried it wouldn't have enough calories to keep me alive! Just about made it to tea though...

Mmmm, popcorn :-)

Mmmm, popcorn :-)

About 10 days of fuel and 14 days of commuting until the summer holidays.

About 10 days of fuel and 14 days of commuting until the summer holidays. I am NOT going to fill up again, so I had better get on my bike...

LPG is still a little cheaper I guess...

LPG is still a little cheaper I guess...

Shaping up for a lovely evening here at Miller's Field...

Shaping up for a lovely evening here at Miller's Field...

Just want to say what a pleasure dealing with BT 1st line broadband support is!

Just want to say what a pleasure dealing with BT 1st line broadband support is! Makes me feel so smart and well informed because I understand the Home Hub settings, and they don't #notfitforpurpose  #BT #techsupport

Long day but the view out of the window at the end of the day eases the weariness somewhat.

Long day but the view out of the window at the end of the day eases the weariness somewhat. Can't help but think of the fun little trails in those woods as well :-)

Well she likes her helmet and is very keen on pre-ride faffing.

Well she likes her helmet and is very keen on pre-ride faffing. I wonder when she might start riding it... #norush was a lovely hour in the garden :-)

Ok, new Android phone, low spec so poor camera rules out fun photo stuff.

Ok, new Android phone, low spec so poor camera rules out fun photo stuff. So what should I add? Strava is there to ruin rides. Got a better alarm clock. Using the default G+, Twitter and Facebook clients.
What is worth a peek?
A way to cross post to G+, Twitter and occasionally Facebook would be good...

I do believe that the sun has arrived? Summers here! Honest! :-)

I do believe that the sun has arrived? Summers here! Honest! :-)

I guess I should be pleased that it isn't actually raining right now, although it is supposed to start when we get...

I guess I should be pleased that it isn't actually raining right now, although it is supposed to start when we get to the farm for it's open day #typical

It's good to be back on a bike again, been a little while!

It's good to be back on a bike again, been a little while!

Wonder if I could get away with putting this in my (Primary School) classroom... P for C anyone? ;-)

Wonder if I could get away with putting this in my (Primary School) classroom... P for C anyone? ;-)

Originally shared by Linda Lawrey

Are you happy?

Sainsbury chilli and chocolate cookies, intriguing, #nomnom.

Sainsbury chilli and chocolate cookies, intriguing, #nomnom... WTF just happened to my mouth! Thats bloody tingly for a biscuit! :-)

What is green Loctite meant to be used for?

What is green Loctite meant to be used for? I only ask because removing the chainring bolts from the granny ring on my XT crankset resulted in this...
One new T30 tool (rather than cheap bit) and they came out with green stuff on them. Bloody tight they were!

Problem found, brushes replaced, gearbox stripped/cleaned/rebuilt and motor cleared of foreign objects.

Problem found, brushes replaced, gearbox stripped/cleaned/rebuilt and motor cleared of foreign objects. George (the robot hoover) rides again. All in about 40 minutes.
#robotengineer #roomba ;-)

Bit miserable out, but I am defeating the weather by doing some #planning! #Istilllose :-)

Need new seatpost collar, 36mm for my EX9 for regular post dropping.

Need new seatpost collar, 36mm for my EX9 for regular post dropping. Bent the original Bonty one so robust is good! Will 36.4 be ok? #mtb

Some of you will undoubtably seen this time/film thing before, I hadn't, it's quite cool/cleverly done. http://......

Some of you will undoubtably seen this time/film thing before, I hadn't, it's quite cool/cleverly done. http://......
Just watch for a minute or two...

Thanks Steve Webb , didn't watch it all, didn't think I needed to before editing this :-)

What is this huge fireball over Matlock? #shouldIfearit?

A week old and our new little girl is still experimenting with being nocturnal #youarenottheSlowLorisyouthinkyouare!

Hello Nathan!

Hello Nathan! Didn't take you long to discover/log in here. Still, it isn't that complicated, especially if you have ever used, well, any of Googles services. Anyway...
Thanks on Lily's and Emily's behalf's. Emily loves books, full stop so the Bear Hunt is very well received and Lily is just starting to build her circle of little friends and a groovy monkey is always going to help. Thank you (and Sarah) again :-)

We just had a baby today :-) Lily May is 7lb 4 of pure, lovelyness :-)

We just had a baby today :-) Lily May is 7lb 4 of pure, lovelyness :-)
She is also rather peaceful at the moment as well, bonus!

Robert Llewellyn Have you seen this low carbon/renewable energy grid idea/plan?

Robert Llewellyn Have you seen this low carbon/renewable energy grid idea/plan? Seems like something actually worth doing! (been busy I my excuse if it has been done already)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/apr/11/iceland-volcano-green-power

OK, so I have bent the lever on my seatpost QR, that'll teach me to drop my saddle.

OK, so I have bent the lever on my seatpost QR, that'll teach me to drop my saddle. Anyway, it was the original Bontrager one, any recommendations of something that will stand up to a bit more regular use? Not too much bling for budgetary preference :-)

Peanut butter sandwich and chocolate spread (with popping candy) on toast. Recovery breakfast of champions :-)

Today I rode my bike, my "good" bike' the Fuel EX 9. Cracking ride too!

Today I rode my bike, my "good" bike' the Fuel EX 9. Cracking ride too!

It's been a while since I rode offload with gears, and decent forks, and rear suspension, and you know what, I think I have missed it. More than once, generally after dropping the saddle for a bit, I proclaimed my love for it. After 7 months of singlespeed fun on my Carrera Fury (that's a bit to big) it was like putting on an old pair of gloves.
An old pair of gloves that needs a new set of chain rings if any of you have any suggestions by the way. XT Hollowtech II crankset.

Everything just worked, it went where I pointed it pretty much despite the substantial amount of filth to be embraced. It set off like a scalded cat when asked, and my legs would allow, and let me pick my way down or power my way up the filthiest, gloppy sections of trail you would ever want to meet. The Jones Big Earl Wet up front is a beast better suited to a tractor but the skinny, worn, semi-slick Jones XR at the back never ceases to impress. It somehow manages to be slippy, drifty fun and fast rolling on road sections, but also puts the power down in pretty much all conditions as well as the chunkier rubber my mates ride. A magic trick I am happy to not question :-)

In short I had a lovely (and statistically unimpressive, as proved by the Strava link) evening. I embraced the filth, and although riding bikes is pretty much always great, riding a great bike, my great bike, makes it even better.

http://app.strava.com/rides/6594533 (not sure how this will work as I am on the mobile site and it isn't offering me a description or anything).

Rick Horsfieldraw this thread and thought of you...

Rick Horsfieldraw this thread and thought of you...
http://www.stirlingbikeclub.org.uk/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=33&topic=7963.0

Don't know if they have a place in the plan but still, a worthy idea.

Is it wrong to be thinking how handy it would be if a huge slab of wet snow tore off the guttering?

Is it wrong to be thinking how handy it would be if a huge slab of wet snow tore off the guttering? #evilinsurancethoughts...

Bit of work to do before #trackworlds 2013 I think, but only a bit ;-) #notthenewbike

Bit of work to do before #trackworlds 2013 I think, but only a bit ;-) #notthenewbike

0.001 seconds in it! #trackworlds just getting better, even if it was the French and Australia ;-)

#BenSwift!!! bloody hell track cycling can be exciting :-)

Just off to bed, way too late, and noticed the ground in Matlock has disappeared, under about an inch of snow so far.

Just off to bed, way too late, and noticed the ground in Matlock has disappeared, under about an inch of snow so far... :-)

You know when you are changing gear cables and don't fold away the spike on the cable cutters.

You know when you are changing gear cables and don't fold away the spike on the cable cutters... Yea, that... #thathurt

Been planting with Emily, sunflowers (x6) pumpkins (x12) and dwarf french beans (x12).

Been planting with Emily, sunflowers (x6) pumpkins (x12) and dwarf french beans (x12). If they all spring up in the propagator we are going to have to dig up the lawn...

#bed, now. #nightnight

Brilliantly written humour, or proper stupid.

Brilliantly written humour, or proper stupid...? Made me chuckle either way :-) http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/8080/droughtxc8.gif
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/8080/droughtxc8.gif

Starting half term with a #hangover. Wish I had had the drink to go with it... #restlessdaughter

Looking unlikely but, has anyone got an Islabike Rothan in good nic they want to sell on around N.E.Derbyshire?

So apparently, according to the BBC budget calculator thing, we will be £420 odd quid a year worse off, and that...

So apparently, according to the BBC budget calculator thing, we will be £420 odd quid a year worse off, and that doesn't include the extra 44 quid a month they want in pension contributions a month for the privilege of working an extra couple of years to get a grand or so less a year of pension.
So lets call it £900 a year to get £1000 less pension that I will statistically die before being able to claim because I had to work longer.

And let's not mention the proposed extra hours teachers might be expected to work (for no extra pay, but we are used to that I guess), no notice inspections and performance management targets to be linked to a new fast track dismissal process.

Nice....

Looking at a new watch sometime soon and just seen the Seiko 5 automatics for the first time.

Looking at a new watch sometime soon and just seen the Seiko 5 automatics for the first time. Love the look, and price. Anyone got one?

Got up this morning to help with mothers day brekky, looked out of the window, heavy snow!

Got up this morning to help with mothers day brekky, looked out of the window, heavy snow! Didn't settle but #IloveMatlock :-)

5 hours sleep already, and there is still 3 hours until the alarm! #bringitonHypnos after a quick drink :-)

I did it, I actually rode my bike!

I did it, I actually rode my bike! Seems like a while (it isn't really) but was great to be out and just grind out a few miles. Still single speed as I just haven't made time to rebuild the EX9 and, frankly, SS hasn't been nearly as limiting as I thought it and my fitness combined could be.
You know Rowsley Bar near Darley Dale/Bakewell? Up that with one gear was bloody hard work but achieved.
Really need to sort out my front brake before next ride though. Dryer trails, higher speeds... nothing too dicey yet but I can see it on the horizon and am certainly not taking a risk like that with the new family addition on its way in less than a couple of months...
Lovely night for it though, twilight through night ride. Awesome :-)

Up from 3.15 'til the alarm at 6 with a poor unsettled little girl #notperkyrightnow #crackoutthecoffee

Matlock has snow! OK, only in the air, but big old flakes all the same #shameitiswet

Quick peek at the #worldcyclerace before bed.

Quick peek at the #worldcyclerace before bed. What an amazing adventure! http://twitter.com/#!/Tracker1972/global-cycle-race

Poorly little girl + won't wear pyjamas + won't stay under covers = multiple manoeuvres to apply pj's #done #bed

Today I made chilli, with extra veg after tasting a nice one elsewhere.

Today I made chilli, with extra veg after tasting a nice one elsewhere. I made a baked cheesecake (raspberry in case you are interested) that turned out rather well too. Whilst making these I was snacking on the soda bread I made yesterday (a little overdone, but still tasty) and chatting to my beautiful daughter. We then took Nic's grandad to the Anston butterfly place for the day. Got back, served the aforementioned food to several members of our family and then went out with two of them for a couple of hours mountain biking, at night, in the cold and mud. I have ridden better but loved it all the same.

Why type all that? Some days I realise how lucky I am. Today was one of those days. I love my family, daughter, wife and life.
It isn't perfect, but it's all mine :-)

Soda bread, a little overdone I think but still, 10 mins prep then in the oven.

Soda bread, a little overdone I think but still, 10 mins prep then in the oven. Easier on us simpletons than #sourdough ;-)