~o~
Up at 7.10 after a fairly quiet night. Though the fire bucket felt heavy this morning.
Given the likely conditions a ride is indicated. Never waste an opportunity. I've put the second battery on charge. As backup to get home with plenty of reserve. The range will be reduced at these lower temperatures.
9.15 Returned from a short walk looping around the neighbour's drives. The sky is only slowly breaking up. There was some flooding on the back field but not as bad as previously. The image above is of a newly leveled and grassed paddock. Looking across the new embankment which forms the drive. Acting much like a Ha-ha from this viewpoint.
It felt rather cold and damp. My hands were soon chilled when I took off my gloves to take a picture. So I will have to be careful what I wear on my bike. With reserve clothing and gloves in the panniers. I often find the gloves feel fine for a while. Then my hands slowly begin to ache with cold after a while. Changing to another, supposedly warmer pair. May not instantly provide the desired level of promised comfort.
The same holds true with jackets over jumpers. The cold begins to creep through. Leaving my chest and upper arms feeling distinctly uncomfortable. This is despite the high level of wind-proofing provided. The self-made headwind is pressing the thin fabric onto my jumper. Reducing the normal loft to inadequate levels of insulation. On my trike I would be working much harder on climbs. With the constant risk of sweating. Which rapidly leads to a horrible chill on the next descent. A very fine balance is required between clothing, wind-proofing and effort.
Looking down the steep embankment at the flooded back field.
The second battery is almost fully charged. Time to get ready. I'll wear my lined, high visibility jacket and take the Endura cycling jacket with me. My Sorel walking boots will have loop pile wool socks inside.
I have thin gloves I can wear as liners to the GripGrab lobster mitts. I shall take the fingered gloves for the greater dexterity where their reduced warmth allows it. Who cares if they are still in the panniers on my return? Weight and bulk are not a problem on a heavy e-bike with panniers.
So: Thickest long johns and long sleeved thermal vest underwear. Best Assos bibs over. Thickest racing jersey. Thickest Norwegian wool jumper. Cargo trousers. "Game" lined wind-proof, high-viz jacket. GripGrab pilot, fleece helmet liner. Fleece polo neck sleeve. ABUS helmet. Cheap, wraparound clear safety glasses. I'll take my wraparound sunglasses in their padded bag. Lobster claw mitts. Dayglo ankle bands. I'll take the Endura jacket, a lighter jumper and Patagonia waterproof trousers just in case.
11.00 Finally ready. Lunch rolls to go.
14.15 Returned from a 57km ride. Visited three charity shops in turn at ever more distant villages. Found a pretty glass and wood display cabinet at the last shop. So I paid for it to reserve it and then rode straight home. Now I have to drive the car back there to collect it in the trailer. It will have to stand up. So I'll need some padding.
I have eaten my lunch rolls. So I'll just have a quick cup of tea and go. The bike battery was so close to flat that it only had a couple of km left in the tank. I was perfectly warm throughout the ride. Maintaining core temperature ensured my peripherals stayed comfortable. Even in the fingered gloves.
5.20 Back from collecting the display cabinet. The chap in the charity shop was on his own. So could not help me with loading the trailer in the distant furniture hall. Across the road from the shop. I took all my lightweight tarpaulins rolled up for packing.
The cabinet was much heavier than I had hoped. So it was case of tipping it up and walking it. I laid it on its back in the trailer and ratchet strapped and roped it in. With a considerable overhang beyond the trailer tailgate. I grabbed half a dozen cushions. These went inside the cabinet to lift the glass doors slightly. I was afraid the glass would break if it was flexed by bumps. Luckily I could pay for the cushions with my phone.
Once back at home I had to detach the trailer to reach the back door. Then I eased the cabinet out a little at a time. Until it would go no further. Then it was a case of lifting it bodily and twisting it by 90º on the top step. Until I could walk it sideways over the threshold and along the hall. It is now in the room. Where I intend to place it. Once the Scottish grandfather clock has been moved somewhere else. Location still undecided.
6.45 What a day! It is only 59F/15C in the room. So I have lit the stove. I'll have toast for dinner tonight.
Not just eggs on toast though. A cheese omelette on toast. Which is strange, admittedly. The omelette was very tasty. No idea what the toast thought it was doing under there. I had forgotten about omelettes. The only cooking class my wife ever gave me. While she rested on a stool in the kitchen. She deserved a rest from cooking. And everything else. Looking after me must have been exhausting.
9.30 38F/3C. 62F/17C in the room. The stove tried to go out while I wasn't looking. Or rather while I was watching Netflix. As usual the dull glow responded to the air supply being opened wide. It has some catching up to do if the room is going to be warm tonight.
~o~
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