February 17th – Out just as the sun went down on an errand in Burntwood, hoping to catch a decent sunset as I returned via Chasewater, and thankfully I wasn’t disappointed. The day hadn’t been great and a number of things had gone wrong for me, but this was a really uplifting thing and I was glad to witness it.
With sunsets this good, can spring be far away?
February 16th – At last, a long ride and a day that felt like spring! This is what my heart has been hoping for.
I sneaked out of work at lunchtime on a sunny, reasonably warm day with not too much wind, called home, then left on a mission: To visit the cake stop at Abbots Bromley for the first time in 2018. And boy, was that pistachio and honey sponge worth the effort!
I delivberately pushed myself as hard as I could – I rode up through Hammerwich, Chorley, Longdon, Handsacre and Blithbury, managing a healthy average of 13.1mph over 16 miles. Not too shabby considering my recent illness. Following cake, I rote up through Abbots Bromley to Hoar Cross, and back through Hadley End, Kings Bromley, Lichfield and Wall. 48 miles in total at 12.5mph.
The day finished quite overcast, but Hoar Cross in the grey evening light with it’s huge clump of snowdrops was still a joy to the heart, as was the endless Trent at Kings Bromley.
A great, restorative ride.
February 15th – I missed the sunset, but escaped from work on a chilly night to one of those early spring azure blue skies fringed with the last orange rays of the sun.
Even in the industrial hinterland of the Moxley-Darlaston border was gorgeous.
February 15th – A brighter day, but windy. As long as the sun is out though, this’ll do me. Nipping across town in Darlaston on an errand, what better day to nip into Victoria Park and do a bit of snowdrop spotting?
This winter is strange. Just as I think it’s beaten me, we have a nice day, and I’m saved for a while.
I’ll never tire of this place.
February 14th – What an awful day.I battled into Walsall against an evil headwind. I had a hospital appointment that took forever, and when I came out there was heavy rain.
I arrived at work soaked and grumpy.
The way home was just as rain-soaked, but at least the wind was assisting me.
Cycling at the moment is a real challenge. I can see spring. I can taste it. It’s in the light, the flowers, the landscape. But this bad weather seems endless.
I will of course hang in there. But my goodness, this is hard going.
February 13th – I wore out a set of front brake pads, and still have a fair few part worn ones glazed out from the problems with the rear brake, which I wouldn’t throw away in case I found a way to reclaim them.
I’ve been thinking about it idly, and I’ve managed to recover a set. I filed off the surface a little with a clean flat file surface. Filing alone doesn’t work, so working on the basis whatever has destroyed them must be oil based, I took the pads, placed them on an aluminium sheet, and gently heated them with a very hot plumber’s blowtorch for ten minutes, until they stopped smoking when I removed the flame.
I then cleaned off the oxidisation with a scotchbrite pad and finally degreased them with a zero residue spray cleaner.
They are as good as new. Without the heat, none of these steps have worked before.
I guess you could stove the pads in a normal kitchen oven if you don’t have a blowtorch.
It’s saved a few bob, I guess. Be interesting to see if they wear any quicker or glaze again.
February 13th – A horrid, windy, wet day and nipping out in the afternoon on lan errand from work, I passed through Kings Hill Park just as the rain stopped.
Everywhere is sodden, this winter’s weather has been awful. But the flowers here are showing and everything is just waiting for warmth and sun.
Including me. Patience.
February 12th – Also in Kings Hill Park, this plant flowering in the borders. It’s quite, quite beautiful, but I really have no idea what it is.
Anyone any idea, please?
Cheers
February 12th – The miniature daffodils in Kings Hill Park are always early, and after the frost and snow of the previous night had meted away in the afternoon warmth, I popped to take a look.
The park’s spring flowers are really gearing up for a great display now and I was so pleased to see them.
Welcome back, my little yellow flashes of spring. Welcome back.
February 11th – Near Middleton and Drayton Basset, a Western Power Distribution survey helicopter was inspecting electricity lines. I’ve never seen this before, and feeling the draft from the rotors, watching the careful manoeuvres and skill of the pilot were fascinating.
How they never clipped the cables I’ll never know – but these crews must be top notch.
A real wonder on an otherwise quiet Sunday in rural Warwickshre…
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