Winter 2011 is challenging elsewhere. Disasters caused by weather events are making life miserable for many in diverse parts of the world. Not having bought a Season Ski Pass because of the availibility of Ski Touring i have many more options. The past week i have been on the road bike in balmy conditions much like i would expect in late March. Clothing soused in road water and debris goes in the washing machine when i return and the bike gets a complete clean as i sit in the sun. The week before was more challenging with dry roads but temps below -10c meant that there were several layers needed.
Yesterday i found myself riding alongside a local racer wearing the usual attire for the Tour de France in July , Cycle suit of short sleeves and bib shorts, an old jacket around my waist in case i needed an extra layer. He was bundled up in longs and shoe covers, probably he was trying to lose weight as had i been wearing the same i would have been sweating rivers of salt. The day started out sunny and after 15mins i entered a misty area where i could hardly see the water on the road and even after moving to side roads i found the need to turn back to the sunny area for safety's sake.
Even in sun you still get the occasional holiday maker who decides that their horn needs testing, this time a Volvo with Dutch plates. Reminded me of the visit to Rotterdam where i rode the thursday training with Lance and the lads. Mr Plod decided to call a halt in the back country lanes because there was a cycle path alongside where we were riding. Could it have been this "keeper of the law" was looking to get himself on TV ? The media contingent had already left by the time he made himself available so there was a lot of huffing & puffing to no avail. Lance laid the law down to the team and we carried on riding back to the hotel.
Cycling Silk posted another blog entry recently contrasting the Law's approach to two separate incidents. Police Caution to a motorist who pushed a cyclist into the path of a car causing bodily injury and a Student sentenced to 2 2/3years for dropping a fire extinguisher into an area where Police Officers were working . Magistrates have their own way of dealing with matters but need the Police to pass the matter to the CPS for action rather than thinking they can take the easy rote to avoid the day in court.
The Yellow bike is a REEF monocoque carbon frame with Shimano 105 9 speed that i built up some years ago. Spends all of it's time in store so would be interested to hear offers for it's new home.
January 2011
