J2 and up through Wolverhampton?

Shame I can’t take a bike down and explore some riding in the south to kill some time…..

My alternative, I suppose, is get on the motorway straight off, drive until it gets too busy and then just have a bit of a time out in a service station and let things die down a bit…

I am soooo not looking forward to this!

From Preston I am fine… it’s almost the north by the time you get there ;-)

I was debating jumping off at Kidderminster and working up to the M56 across country, but it may well be a fools errand.

Whichever way I look at it this is going to be a long drive.

Amazon Fire Kids – brilliant!

I was thinking Shrewsbury – gone south that way a couple of times when the M6 has been bad so thought it may be worth a go.

Probably just going to stick the satnav on with detours enabled and see where it takes me… and maybe stop off for a bit enroute somewhere.

Hmmmm… you may have a point….

Hybrid Slinkies were my choice back in the day. These days I am on Rotosound Blues which I am rather liking.

I loved the Pantara :-)

Mmmmmmm

It’s kinda a shame – I loved that descent… I think my fastest time down was chasing some (considerably more talented) folks down on an OLD Patriot (which I sold to Beagleboy many, many years ago and I believe he still has!). It was an eyes closed, point and prey type affair!

That said, I do think it is going to erode and become something worthwhile again… it may take a while, and it will be different – but perhaps it will be as good in it’s own way.

(I am trying to be positive – every time I am up there I wish I had brought the bike with me! Perhaps I will get out on my new local improved trail soon in solidarity… it’s Walna Scar so a bit further down the re-eroded path!)

I don’t think I have ever spent 45 mins cleaning a bike!

Muddy ride from the house, back in – quick hose down and lube (5 mins), mucky clobber in the washing machine and into the shower. Job done!

12 rides, 124km.

Rubbish year (again). Mix of recovery from injury/surgery, kids, work, moving house and having stuff to do, lack of mates and hence encouragement to go out….

It’s all a bit tragic really – I thought I would be doing loads when I moved to the Lakes 8 years ago and it really hasn’t happened like that at all!

I really MUST get my shizzle together going into Autumn. I love Autumn riding… bring on the frost.

Just been trying out some old Superfeet Green for the last 45 minutes – mowing the lawn. Made a real difference so think I best order some running size ones, plus a pair for my work boots!

Interesting ahwiles…

Do you have low or high arches? Just wondering if I may have entirely the opposite problem and need better support (I have very long, very high arches which cause me other issues from time to time).

This does give me an idea though – off to Superfeet I think!

4th July 2010 by Rob Sutherland[/url], on Flickr

This is Jake – he was an ace dog. Rescued in Edinburgh many years ago and lived with me and my cats… then my kids… and was very happy.

He died in March and due to kids/cats we couldn’t seem to get another rescue dog… so we got a puppy instead… which is basically Jake re-encarnated (and was born the day after he died so it seems a good chance!)

18th August 2017 by Rob Sutherland[/url], on Flickr

Except he has changed colour… so perhaps he is a ghost dog!!!

Big pickup, drivers no doubt a murderer or rapist.

Bollocks… I have just ordered a Navara – I didn’t realise I had to start murderising and raperising now too. Is that in the handbook? Should I get some early practice in before I take delivery… perhaps a little petting in the swimming pool – start small and all that????

;-)

C25K-ing here too – just done the first run of week 4 (well, 2 days ago) but I have had recurring problems with the tendons/small bones in my big toe which I have just learned is called sesamoiditis (although it happened whilst gardening rather than running), so I am with you on the pain thing V8!

I am terrible for not stretching so am going to just do that for the rest of this week and then pickup the last 2 week 4 sessions next week and get back on track.

I am so not a natural runner being more of a mobile mountain than anything else ;-) Just trying to actually complete the whole program for the first time this go – I have generally got to this stage and injured myself then given up, but I am determined to finish this time!!!

The long term aim is to move the running to once/twice a week (sticking around the 5k distance), do a bit of gym to try and fix all my biomechanical imbalances and start getting a couple of rides in a week on the mountain bike too again (neglected largely since my last injury a couple of years ago).

And loose some sodding weight! Since I started running and without consuming more I have gained weight although lost body fat (2.7kg on, 3%BF lost). Going by my past experiences of exercise this happens to me then the weight suddenly falls off whilst I am not looking!

I would be looking at the new Mazda engines due on stream next year and wondering if I could hold out until they hit the market myself. Apparently they have a petrol engine running under compression – so pretty much has a blend of characteristics of both a petrol and diesel engine.

Looks very, very interesting – and a decent option whilst waiting for widespread availability of EVs!

I am just in the process of changing my van back to a pickup again having had a couple of issues over the past 18 months… so it’s a big old diesel mill for me! That said, since it is company registered and I need something to park my full NCB on before I loose it in January I am looking at something small, light and petrol (with a not so small engine in it)… which will also have to be very, very cheap due to skintness! Plans to perhaps loose the company and go it alone mean maintaining said NCB is kinda important!!!

J36 on the M6 for me too – because it means I am nearly home ;-)

Out of interest… what is the premium increase for chipping/remapping?

I was toying with the idea of getting an MX5 and a supercharger… but that was getting a bit silly for insurance ;-) Thinking of other ways to get my jollies!!!

Although something like this may also work – less secure, but easier to stash about the car (on chassis)

magnetic key box

I use one of these for surfing… it was ideal, just can’t remember where I packed it when we moved!!!

locking box thingy

You can usually find somewhere to hang it on a car, if not then on a bit of nearby street furniture… just need to get creative!

32 on a 29er in the Lakes here… but I keep thinking about dropping to a 30 or possibly 28… or an oval thingy.

I get off and walk quite a lot ;-)

I am also lacking in fitness at the moment….

KEF Q Series something or others – floor jobs up front and a centre/stand mount rears… the sub expired so needs replacing at some stage. Sound ace and fill the room though, and haven’t really missed the sub so may just leave it.

In t’other room there is a pair of KRK Studio Monitors… may add a sub to them at some stage if my mixes need more bass response when recording starts up… but for the moment they are absolutely fantastic!

Tiger 1050

Guzzi Stelvio (loads of character!)

I know the feeling – I had a hellish few years loosing my son, getting divorced, Mum had cancer which went into remission then came back to take her… then my gran a couple of months later. Leaves you utterly broken (this was over about 5 years but seems much more compressed).

I also lost my old pooch a few weeks back.

But… life goes on, and there is always someone having a worse time somewhere. Last year I remarried, I have 3 lovely kids and a new dog ;-) I am sitting in a living room on a Scottish island having a nice holiday and making pipedreams about moving here and starting a new business and earning a pittance in the process but having a wonderful time doing so! It may happen… at some stage….

20th July 2017 by Rob Sutherland[/url], on Flickr

I was very tempted by the EX 9.8… but rode it back to back with the EX8 and couldn’t tell enough difference so decided to save a ton of cash ;-)

Both very, very nice though.

I tried the full fat Tuono whilst the Guzzi was in for a service. Awesome bikes… and somewhat terrifying with all the driver aids turned off!!!

Nikon D7000 (backup)
Nikon D800E (main – although getting very tired now… rumours of an 810 replacement are getting me interested)
Olympus OM-D E-M5 (currently used by my wife, but still “borrowed” for mountain biking)
Olympus OM-D E-M5 mkII (adventure camera cos I can’t be arsed carrying the D800E)

Canon EOS3
Nikkormat FT2

Probably dozens of others littering the place!

I keep meaning to put an order in to Redbank Coffee in Coniston – if any of you non-locals are visiting the trails hunt out some of the coffee shops that sell their stuff (the wee kiosk in Grasmere Village springs to mind, and I think More in Staveley too)- properly good stuff!

Alas I can’t pop in and get some, just keep meaning to get them to drop off a delivery when passing! I may treat the new machine to some next week….

The stuff from Booths isn’t bad… currently putting beans through a Jura, but that is being upgraded (or maybe downgraded since I am going for a cheaper brand, but up to date rather than 8 years old) imminently… well… as soon as the delivery man gets it to me!

I like Lavazza of all varieties too. And Illy. And pretty much everything. My only burning question is… why don’t Taylors sell Hot Java Lava beans ;-)

Yep – one blue, the other is a kinda grey/blue/brown/gold ish – not sure what colour that one will end up!

He is doing well – managed to do his business outside on Day 1!!!

Just checking… I have 2 pairs of cowboy boots and a mahoosive telly.

Does this make me scum?

Enquiring minds need to know!!!

Pedals now off – decided to leave the cranks in place so that I am not adding so much back on later… keeps the weight and everything much closer to the complete bike. No idea if that is better or worse, but it we will see!

Crikey – think I may get one for the Lakedistrict lanes… that would get the bloody tourists out my way!!!

Hmm – I was toying with that idea last night and wondering if it would work!

Right – off to the garage… with tool!!!!

Buy a Combine… peace through superior fire power!

And if that doesn’t do it, buy two and block the road either side of his drive ;-)

(This may be a very expensive option, mind)