3.06.2023 Me, obsessive? 😎

 ~o~

 Saturday 3rd 58F. More, wall to wall sunshine but already windy again. From the SW today. Up at 7am.

 Where shall I go today? Use it or lose it! Regular cycling is good for so many healthy things. Both physical and mental. It ought to be put in the water. 

  The major earthworks to raise the level of a marshy field. Also to provide better access for larger vehicles. There is still a need for a huge volume of soil. To raise the deep step to a gentle slope near the road. The distant excavator is parked near the road. While I am standing at the halfway point across the field. The total distance being over 200 yards.

I can't go very far towards the SW without ending up in the water myself. Though I can re-explore all the lanes near the coast. I have a dim memory of a coastal area I never returned to. There was probably a cheap house for sale back then.

8.00 Time for my therapeutic walk. I never felt cold today as I walked to the lanes. Yesterday, I had to keep my cycling jacket on for the whole of my ride. I had taken it off at 12.00 during a drink and chocolate bar break. Then I only managed a few yards before I stopped to put it back on again. The headwind was just too chilling without it. I saw lots of birds of prey, a deer and several hares yesterday. Only birdsong to report so far today.

 9.15 65F. Both batteries are fully charged. I ought to be ready for my ride by now.

 And so it was. BatteryBoy headed off into the wind. To explore the delights of the southern, coastal lanes. Yet another, deflating balloon was drawn on the virtual map. I reached a quiet beach. Where a solitary family were peacefully enjoying themselves. Right beside a vast camping and caravan park! And no, it wasn't that early.

 View across the water. The sole photograph I took on today's ride. Using my phone.

 Another 78km in 3h10m returning at 13.45pm for a spot of lunch. An average speed of 25km/hr. A mere 79rpm cadence evidence of my unhurried progress. 820m of ascent. Mostly achieved in Sport mode. A new total of 2514km in just under 3 months.

 I had to change batteries at 63km. When the first had dropped to only 20% charge. I had paused outside a rural bungalow. Which provided a rare street lamp. Against which I could lean the bike. In the absence of a prop stand. The owner arrived in his car and clearly saw me as a deeply suspicious character. Despite my overt credentials as a serious cyclist. Clad in the standard uniform of shorts and recycled club jacket emblazoned with sponsorship advertising. 

 He quickly drove in and closed the gate. Then let the dog loose. An ancient black Labrador. Which barked repeatedly behind the gate. After a suitable pause for reflection, I  greeted to the dog in cheerful English. Whereupon it immediately stopped barking. Probably due to linguistic confusion. Being a country dog it wont have had much experience. Of discoursing the fine weather with cycling vagrants and immigrunts.

 There were arcs of bright water scattered right across the landscape yet again today. As the farmers sought to combat the drought with irrigation hoses. More often than not this involved the road, lanes or track being sprayed at intervals. So a fine degree of timing was often involved to avoid an early shower. Including dismounting hurriedly to clamber over a 5" hose draped across my path! A dusty track leading through a farmyard and onwards to pastures new. So I could hardly complain. I was, in fact laughing, at the whole comedic episode. As I hurriedly tried to remount before the giant hose turned strategically my way.

 I saw lots of other cyclists on my travels. Including a whole peloton of club riders. Out training in the gorgeous sunshine. Saddle soreness was slightly reduced today. By lifting the nose of the saddle by a mere millimeter or two before leaving. I am presently working on the tentative theory. That I am trying to slide forwards and this is putting tension on the material. Which trapped between my nether regions and the broad gauge saddle. As yet to be confirmed by independent researchers. 

 I spotted four Red kites in different places today. Plus a harrier pouncing on something in a field and several hares. My face and legs are tastefully pink. I consumed two micro-Corny bars and two tiny cartons of organic apple juice. 

 As I am feeling slightly headachy I am having an extra cup of tea this afternoon. Hoping to avoid dehydration. Besides, it gives me an excuse to enjoy another digestive biscuit.

Dinner was as predictable as usual. I finished off with soup and a roll.

 

 

~o~

2.06.2023 97km > 60 miles?

 ~o~

 Friday 2nd 58F. Bright sunshine with hardly a cloud to be seen. Breezy again. Up at 7am. 

 After setting an unofficial world record. For opening a carton of Arla Organic Light Milk. [Dansk: Øko Letmælk] In a time of 7m 32.37 seconds. I have invited The Guinness World Record Book observers. To officially time my next attempt. I shall of course be wearing odd socks. To ensure nobody can take my crown by posting exactly the same time. Fortunately, I shall have several days to recover before my next, official attempt.

 8.00 Time for my walk. I have just found a storage tub full of cycling clothing I had forgotten I owned. It had more tubs placed on top. So it had gone unnoticed.

 9.30 62F. My usual walk to the lanes was extended with additional time. Taking pictures of earthworks. Seven-axle tipper trucks were bringing in soil to raise a sunken, marshy field. A big excavator was distributing the soil as it was tipped.

 Having carried out a lot of manual landscaping myself, in our various gardens. I find it fascinating to see it done by professionals on such a large scale. There have been several such earthworks that I know of. Perhaps due to the excess soil taken from the gas pipeline project. Or it could be just the overburden from normal quarrying activities. 

 There are numerous clay and gravel quarries around the whole area. There are also several deep holes being dug in the city for erecting new buildings. The excavated soil has to go somewhere.

 I have been thinking about where to go today. I rather fancy a ride to the north coast of Fyn. The central island of Denmark's three, major land masses, on which I live. There is a north easterly wind today. So I'd get some help coming home. When I most need it. 

 I have ridden up there several times on my trike in the past. Ride north to the town of Bogense on the NW coast. Turn right to the shopping town of Otterup inland in the north east. Then home by a more or less direct route through, or around, the city of Odense. Another 30km at least. Probably another 90km/56 mile ride. It doesn't seem so far in miles. My longest ride on the trike was 85 miles on a sweltering hot, summer day.

 All very familiar territory but a first on the e-bike. Definitely a two battery ride. With lots of Tour mode. To combat range anxiety. I'll try wearing one of the pairs of bibs I just found. Bibs are padded cycling shorts. With soft braces to keep them held up. Instead of bagging and causing chafing. Like my worn out cycling shorts.

 2.45 19C/66F. Returned from a ride to the north coast. I came within a few meters of the water. My estimates of actual distance were wildly amiss. I bypassed Bogense as I was able to escape to the quiet lanes without going into town. It was very windy near the coast. I decided that Otterup was just too far if I was to return with some reserve of battery power and stay within my comfort level.

 I stopped every hour for a small carton of organic apple juice and a Corny micro-bar. 97km/60 miles is my longest e-ride to date. 3.5 hours duration. 84 rpm average cadence. Average speed 27km/hr or 17mph. 48% Tour and 52% Sport modes. 525m change in altitude. 20% left in the first battery. 68% in the second. The bibs did not provide the freedom from saddle soreness I had hoped. Not crippling, but still unpleasant at times. Is it me? Or the broad gauge saddle? 

 My skill at holding a line, with passing traffic, is improving with every ride. Constant practice, using whatever road marking occur has paid off. It was never any problem while triking. Holding a steady line on 2-wheels has been quite a struggle until now. My overall e-bike distance has risen to 2436km. 

 I am not sure whether this includes my rides with the Kiox. Or just the distance recorded with the Nyon. I just checked in the Bosch Connect App on my phone. The first recorded ride was the 11th of March. Only in the drive. My first proper ride on the road was indeed the 15th March. I was kept waiting for the necessary papers by my insurance company. The time was spent practicing on my 200m [shared] drive and making adjustments. It was time well spent!

 Dinner will be something fattening. I need the calories after today's foolishness.  Lazy dinner for a lazy cook. I did the washing up while I was waiting for the mini oven. The fish fingers were unusually tasty today.

 

~o~

1.06.2023 Windy again!

 ~o~

 Thursday 1st of June 12C/53F. Variable cloud. Rather windy. Expecting lots of sunshine. 

7.15 Going for an early walk. Seeing the quack at 9.30.

 8.15. 15C/60F. Just had a short walk to get rid of my back pain. Brighter and much less cloudy now. 

 14.15 21C/70F. Visited the doctor by car. Prescription renewed. 

 Then rode to see my British friend. It was warm enough to sit outside in the sunshine. Provided we were sheltered from the wind. Most of the journey is through beautiful countryside. 53km. Average speed 28km/hr using 98% Sport mode. 31km/hr average on the way with a tailwind. 26km/hr with a headwind on the return journey. Only one battery used. Finished at 26% charge. 

Dinner was beans on toast.

~o~