4th August 2014

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Monday 4th 62-75F, 17-24C, heavy overcast, quite still. A damp start is forecast with warm sunshine later.


Statistics suggest the use of headphones while cycling increases the risk of having an accident by 30%. While 10% of those injured on their bikes admitted to having used a mobile phone or had listened to music immediately before their accident. Now the professional liars politic-ooze are considering how to reduce the problem.

I can never understand anybody listening to music while jogging or riding in the countryside. They miss the connection with nature, the birdsong and so many natural sounds. They also completely miss the sound of fast approaching vehicles! Never mind a cyclist struggling to pass you as you meander along in the middle of the cycle path in your own little, fantasy world. If you miss a beat to jog or cycle to then perhaps you should try listening to your own panting breath or heartbeat? Become more self-aware? Suit yourselves. You will anyway.

It was warm and bright for my walk around the bare fields and shady woods. Since I have started wearing shorts for my morning perambulations I have struggled with grass seeds and burrs stuck to my socks. I am not aware of them at the time but my socks are often covered in debris when I take off my boots. My legs are now so brown that my bare feet look like I have been standing in a bowl of whitewash. No sign of rain yet. Still lots of fields left to harvest. Large flocks of Sparrows everywhere.

After a struggle my wife finally managed a sharp image of a Brimstone butterfly. The Canon Ixus 117 camera has a mind of its own on auto! Without having the zoom range for decent image scale. Cropped from the original. Fame at last! 

Rode to Assens to shop. Breezy but mostly crosswind. Not quite as warm as last week. Which is a great improvement! Going well. 21 miles.

I have spotted the rear gear cable is fraying at the ShiftMate. It has also frayed at the changer clamping screw. IT may be a poor quality cable. I have no idea as to its exact origin. It having been selected from my poly bag stock of unused cables. I may discard the ShiftMate when I change the cable. It does not provide the flawless index changes I'd hoped for.

While I had the trike up on the stand for examination I finally decided to have a proper look at axle friction. It has been bugging me for ages that the Trykit wheels stop very quickly when given a spin. Unlike the Higgins which also has has the Trykit 2WD system fitted. The Higgins wheels go on spinning for minutes. The main difference between the two trikes is in the size of the journal axle bearings. The Higgins being limited in bearing size by the need for them to fit the adjustable [bottom bracket] cups. Still, the difference in bearing size should not have that much effect on axle drag.

I have frequently been dropped on descents while pedalling flat out as an ordinary cyclist simply free-wheels effortlessly away from me on a sit-up-and-beg roadster with fat tyres. It goes without saying that drag on descents is matched by drag on climbs and on the flat. I obviously have to work that much harder to overcome the extra drag. Though speeds are likely to be higher on descents than elsewhere the difference is probably not that great in practice.

First I removed the wheels, outer bearing circlips and then withdrew the axles. Allowing the cassette to drop out into a rag on its 2WD double free-hub. I then reinserted the axles and refitted the outer bearings and their retention circlips.

There really was am awful lot of drag when trying to turn the bare axles by finger pressure alone! So I removed the circlips and bearings again. Each bearing had roughly the same amount of drag when a finger was inserted into the bore and the rim pushed around.

It had already occurred to me that only one side of each bearing is exposed to dirt and the weather. The inner seal is thus extra baggage. I could reduce seal drag by half simply by removing the four inward facing seals. The axle housings offer perfect protection for the bearings. So there was no need to worry about contamination. Any dirt would have to get past the outer bearings with their intact outer seals. A very unlikely occurrence.

I examined each bearing carefully and removed the worst seal from one side only with a small, sharp screwdriver. The original packing grease was still adequate but I added a good dollop of new grease anyway. I always smear the entire axles and bearings with grease to stop potential rusting between maintenance sessions.

After re-assembly the axles seemed to turn slightly more freely. With the wheels in place they spun for far longer than before. It should be remembered that the 2WD pawls and support bearings in the special free-hub also add to friction when freewheeling. Not that I do much of that even on descents. So the 2WD free-hub can probably be ignored provided I  keep pedalling hard. 

I still have some worries about my Trykit's excessive axle friction. My Higgins needed a 4mm gap between the stub axles. The Trykit has only 1.5mm clearance between the inner axle stubs but still has a 4mm central spacer in the 2WD free-hub. I'm wondering if this increases end loading on the axle bearings. And, more importantly, whether it really matters.

One way to change the end loading would be to turn a millimetre from each inner bearing, axle shoulder. While I do have ceramic tools for my lathe and the skill to do it it would be rather a drastic move. I would have to discuss the possible consequences with Geoff Booker of Trykit first.

The other, far simpler alternative would be to make or use a thinner central spacer. The great width of the free-hub ratchet teeth should easily cope with any minor, longitudinal repositioning.

I am still unsure whether the bearing retention circlips need to be preloaded for safety. The circlips are the only thing which stops the axles from sliding out on the corners. A well proven design, long used by George Longstaff, I believe, before Trykit adopted the same arrangement. The circlips expand into a groove cut into the inner circumference of the bearing housings.

The circlips themselves seem to be stamped from sheet material. Producing a handed appearance. With more rounded edges on one side and sharper on the other. I always place the shaper edges outwards to ensure the best possible location in the concentric, bearing housing grooves. I then use the slide hammer weight, provided by Trykit, to ensure the circlips are properly seated.

Click on any image for an enlargement.

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Ist August 2014

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Friday 1st 67-78F, 19-26C, breezy with sunny periods. The forecast is possible early showers then warm and sunny. The long term forecast is for another warm month much like the long, warm July we have just "enjoyed".

I'm calling this a Brimstone unless I hear different. Very shy of movement.

I don't like to blow my own trumpet [Yeah-right!] but every time I write about something to do with Danish roads and cycling it seems to pop up in the Danish media.

I recently mentioned the problem of bus passengers stepping off buses straight into the busy cycle lane. The results should be hideously obvious to everybody. The passengers have to reach the relative safety of the pavement beyond the cycle lane. Most bikes are silent and are travelling at relatively high speed compared with pedestrians. The cyclists can't see if anybody is alighting until right alongside the bus. The boxy body of the bus blocks the view. There are no flashing lights to warn cyclists of "skittles" being dumped into their path.  The pedestrians have their minds on everything else except fast approaching cyclists.

Should the cyclist slow and stop at every bus parked at a stop just in case? This would make a serious dent in travel times. Setting a suitably low speed limit for cyclists would be a disaster for average travel times and seriously inhibit cycling! There are very many buses and many more cyclists in the bigger cities. Nobody asks bus passengers to get off into the road. The dangers are equally obvious.

Even if the bus driver was given a button to a flashing light, to warn cyclists of alighting passengers, they might get bored with using it. Many bus drivers can't even be arsed to park in the pull-in space provided! They often leave the rear end of the bus sticking out in the road. Perhaps they think it will improve their chances of being allowed to rejoin the traffic if they inhibit the following traffic?

The answer is probably automatic flashing red lights and even a sound for the central door to warn cyclists of the impending danger. Not to mention concentrating the minds of alighting passengers. Passengers only allowed to alight from that central door. Make it law that buses indicating to pull out have absolute priority over all other traffic. [Except emergency vehicles using their sirens and warning lights.] 

The problem of wannabe bus passengers crossing the cycle path from the pavement remains. Many will completely block the cycle lane as they wait to board the bus. I have lost count of the times I have been blocked by idiot students hovering on the cycle path at the bus stops outside schools as they "socialise" with their friends. An air horn would he very handy! 

The cycle "protection money" racket has been deemed illegal. A company had set itself up to remove bicycles illegally parked in front of shops. Then asked for about £20 equiv. for the errant owners to have their bikes back. The "self service" practice has been quickly stopped. So now the lazy, selfish arses, who don't give a shit where they park their bikes, can [probably] continue to park [illegally] with total peace of mind. It was ever thus.

A 2.3 mile, hour's walk enjoying the SW breeze in bright sunshine. Disturbed the mink gulls. Which rose in a huge cloud and settled slightly further away. A very large bird of prey landed in the stubble on a field but was quickly lost to view behind the tall hedge. I did not want to disturb it by trying to get closer and there were no gaps to allow a furtive peek further on. Much larger and heavier than a buzzard with a thick coat of floppy feathers.   

The wind had turned easterly by the time I left for my ride after lunch. It was very warm and rather breezy allowing me to cruise at 20mph but with a headwind coming home. I had a shopping list for several items but came home empty handed. . An excellent cycle path is coming together between Gelsted and Ejby. Two-way, in places, but of very generous width and a superbly smooth tarmac surface. It is being built in stages and even has its own street lighting.

We are surrounded in combine harvesters at the moment which have finally started seriously on the grain crops. The dust [and noise] is unbelievable! 30 miles exactly today.

Saturday 2nd 64-80F, 18-27C, breezy and sunny. It's official: July 2014 was the second hottest on record since 1857. [That's 157 years] Only 2006 was slightly higher, by 0.3C, averaged over the entire month. The DMI had to use a new colour scale on their maps to make sense of the high average temperatures spread almost evenly across the entire country. The average temperature ended up at 19.5C.

The drought continues. As it does in the USA where reservoirs are reaching record lows. One man's perfect holiday weather is another's nightmare. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of aviation fuel wasn't completely wasted carrying families to worse weather and lower temperatures than those being "enjoyed" back at home.

A four mile walk in two hours doesn't sound much. Most of it was on rough forest tracks. I disturbed several hares and sneaked up within 10 yards of two deer. Had they been facing my way I couldn't have got close enough. So you'll have to make do with the rear end of a young buck.

Left on the trike after lunch. Blowing a gale with the trees bending and roaring. A cross tailwind going so not quite so bad on the way back. Loaded to the gunwales with shopping.  I was overtaken at high speed by a huge 4wd in a built up area. He'd actually had the nerve to toot me as I pulled out around an illegally parked car as we approached the lights at red. So I nipped out round him and took the lead space at the lights. I was in the supermarket car park half a mile away and on my way to the door before he was. 15 miles. Just passed 6000 km for the year. Must try harder!

Sunday 3rd 71-75F, 22-24C, overcast, light breeze. Thundery showers with cloudbursts possible all day. I risked a short ride before the bad weather arrived. The sky was dark but I could have stayed out much longer. Only now is there the first rain and occasional rumbles of thunder at 11.00 am. The wind is picking up too. 8 miles.

The rain didn't last long as the storm divided and left Fyn alone. It was warm, humid and bright mid-afternoon so I went out again. Another 26 miles enjoying the empty, country lanes down by the south coast. I found some excellent hills to climb. The breeze wasn't too much of a problem today.

Click on any image for an enlargement.

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28th July 2014

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Monday 28th 68F, 20C, almost still, bright overcast. The winds are forecast to be light today. Yet again
thundery showers are possible while the heatwave continues. I was just reading that it is a bumper harvest but prices are lower than five years ago.

Thanks to the harvest I was able to enjoy the firm perimeter of a huge field. Battling my way effortlessly through the untidy stubble of the recently departed, oil seed rape in my big walking boots. The trekking sandals were reserved for walking on roads. I was enjoying new vistas, out across the local landscape, thanks to the steep slope up to the top of the field. A farmer in large, wellington boots and shorts was eying me from across the field as I trudged back down the much gentler slope to the main track. Minutes later a 4wd arrived with a loaded trailer and sailed straight off across the field. Quickly becoming lost from sight in the rolling contours. Once I leave the road it is extremely rare for me to see anybody, at all, on my walks. The air felt sticky and hot again today with just a hint of mist. Sunny periods between large splodges of thinning cloud bode well for another sweaty ride today.

And, hot and sweaty it was. Despite the heat I detoured up a couple of hills just for the fun of it. 16 miles. Thank goodness for lukewarm showers!

Tuesday 29th 68-77F, 20-25C, breezy, sunny out of a cloudless sky. It became steadily warmer on my walk. Thanks to the forestry work in clearing the fire breaks I was able to access a whole new area I never knew existed. There were several large birds of prey circling. One complained at my presence in its territory.

The picture is of two massive Beech trees on the edge of the forest. Both trunks must be five-six feet in diameter at the base.

A hare seemed to find me amusing and played his own game of tag. Stopping at intervals to stand sideways before bounding away again in a jolly rocking motion from side to side. This went on for several hundred yards. It was lucky the sun was out because I hadn't a clue where I was when I finally emerged from the shady tunnels beneath the trees.

Though quite breezy it was another warm ride. The new Shimano SPD cleats have made a great improvement in foot security for climbing and sprinting out of the saddle. 20 miles.

Wednesday 30th 62-74F, 17-23C, still, cloud clearing to sunny. A little cooler this morning but the heatwave is expected to continue later.

I was just reading a warning from the police that they can trace hash consumption for three weeks after consumption. There is nil tolerance for drivers affected by hash. With guilty drivers facing a three year driving ban. The police advice is not to drive for three weeks after abusing "wacky baccy." There is a huge quantity of empty beer packaging lying on rural Danish verges. Drunks continue to drive after being banned repeatedly. Can one assume that advice against drug abuse and driving will be taken equally seriously?

My walk looped around the perimeter track of an unharvested field and through some more distant woods. Walking back along the main road showed a severe lack of concentration by some drivers. With incredibly slow reaction times to my presence even on the clear straights. Only my swift action in jumping onto the verge saved me from one elderly woman's total inability to react to a pedestrian beside the road. She actually swerved towards me instead of away! Just as did the old man who has twice nearly run me down on the same road.

I still find it interesting that so few small birds I see are sparrows. In fact I rarely see sparrows except near rural homes. The majority of small birds are Chaffinches, warblers, wagtails, Greenfinches and Yellowhammers. Goldfinches seem much rarer this year after some previous years when I saw lots of them. July 2014 is already the 5th warmest since records began. A nationwide drought is reported. Hazel and Elder bushes in the hedges seem to be the worst affected with large numbers of yellow and falling leaves.

I deliberately chose a hilly route for my ride. I was overtaken by a mountain biker wearing jeans on the longest and steepest drag. Oh, the terrible shame of it! Grr. The heatwave has been affecting the roads. With a glossy black appearing on the surfaces of many roads. particularly where heavy agricultural vehicles run. Tractor tire tracks are increasingly visible on the  road surface.

I was overtaken today, on a completely blind bend, in a village with a built up area speed limit. The 'perp' was a county council, small truck driver with a matching, large trailer in tow. The consequences of a head on crash with the (normally, illegally speeding) oncoming traffic are far too horrible to imagine. Last week I was overtaken, on a completely blind bend, by a young driver towing a large caravan behind his car. Both drivers were using the entire width of the opposite lane with zero braking distance. Leaving no room (at all) for oncoming traffic approaching around these sharp, blind corners. Only the lack of oncoming traffic, on these normally busy roads, has denied these drivers national (or even international) headline status.

Their raving insanity marks them as totally unfit to be in charge of any vehicle, at any time, anywhere. Not even a toy, push-along, plastic lawn mower! These roads routinely carry buses, intercontinental lorries and countless cars and other vehicles. What are the chances of their survival next time they choose to behave in exactly the same, insane way again? What are the chances of several school buses and a petrol tanker NOT coming along the other way, in tandem, next time? 

It seems that robotic cars are not far off now. Car lobbyists suggest that the majority of drivers will not trust the technology to relinquish their own, terrifyingly inadequate, control of their vehicle. I'm wondering how the car driving computers will be programmed to cope with the high percentage of white line crossers on every single corner in Denmark. Do the completely worn-out, double white lines offer any clues as to the frequency of this illegal driving behaviour? Thought not.

How will the robot cars cope with aggressive tailgaters? With 90%+ of drivers in Denmark completely ignoring every speed limit they will need to program the autonomous cars to cope with that 90% carrying out illegal overtaking. Doing so in every imaginable and terrifyingly unimaginable situation! On blind corners, outside schools with hundreds of children milling around their buses and in heavily congested, narrow shopping streets with lots of pedestrians criss-crossing the road. The robotic cars will need to cope totally regardless of whether the illegally overtaking vehicles are buses, taxis, articulated lorries, scooters or cars. 19 miles, still not quite out.

July 31st 67-76F, 20-25C, still, sunny periods. A short, lazy walk to stretch my legs before morning coffee. I watched birds on a large area of mown grass. Lots of wagtails on the ground or preening on handy perches. With Swallows zooming constantly back and forth. I saw a bright ginger, sparrow-like bird with a grey head, foraging. Best guess is a bunting but it was hard to see even with the binoculars. It flew off as soon as I tried to get closer. A large, green dragonfly circled me as I walked back. It clouded over and rained briefly after my return.

I left on the trike after lunch headed for yet another duel with a faster rider. This time it was with a woman  of about my own age on a racing bike. She was very slim and very tanned and annoyingly fast! After she passed me the auto-mutt instinct kicked in and I lifted my speed from cruising at 15mph to a steady 20. That wasn't nearly enough so I upped my game to my limit of 23-25mph and still she drew away! There was soon several hundred yards between us before she turned off.  I seemed shorter of wind than usual but that's not an excuse. Merely a fact of life this year. Probably an allergy according to the doctor after having my forearm repeatedly punctured by the surgery nurse. Hopefully it will pass with the changing seasons and the irritant dies down. 

I was buttonholed by several different cyclists outside several supermarkets today demanding to know how far I rode. When I told them that I had covered 55,000km km in the last four years they seemed suitably impressed. I wish I was too but this year's mileage is much worse than 2013. I was already 1500 miles up at this time last year and that was a poor year at 7400m/12,000km. There is no real excuse. Previous years have been hampered by constant saddle pain, leg pain, hip pain, shoulder pain and an uncomfortable, stretched out, riding position on the Higgins. I must be getting soft! Only 23 hilly miles fighting the wind and the temptation to chase anything going in my direction.

Click on any image for an enlargement.

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