3rd March 2005, Stow on the Wold
I've met a man with the best job in the world - YHA sustainable
transport officer. He gets paid to travel to each youth hostel by
public transport and then report on how easy it is, and how good the
handbook information is.
He test-rode my Dahon bike and was very impressed. I'm quite impressed
with it too. I thought the handling might be quite quirky with luggage
over 20" wheels, but it is rock solid. Only worry is that it will
absolutely not cope with going off road, unless the path is surfaced.
The bottom of the derailleur is only about an inch off the ground and
is very vulnerable. The bike is also not easy to get on and off
trains; again because the wheels are so small. But it has been folded
three times today: The handlebars were collapsed when I left it in a
train corridor, it's half-folded now 'cos the bike shed is tiny, and I
did a complete fold to show the yha bloke.
Room mate is a cyclist, however he has recently broken his pelvis, and
has only recently got back on his bike. Pete? Is this you?
4th March 2005, Oxford
Nutters. It's not the motorists who cut you up, it's the other POBs.
It was amusing to see that Oxford council are suspending cycle parking
in an attempt to identify and remove abandoned bikes.
Bike is playing up. Being new, the inevitable cable stretch has
happened and the chain keeps shooting off and jamming next to the seat
stay. Never mind, hub gears have their uses!
Spent far too much money in Blackwells Music Publishers. Could not
find a bike shop anywhere.
Took the scenic route from Moreton in Marsh train station back to Stow
on the Wold. Much nicer than the A road but with one very long drag up
to Tesco.
Additional room mates are also cyclists, from the Isle of Wight. All
four of us had a go at repairing their gas stove but with no luck.
After a discussion, we settled on the fact that the "going rate" for
cyclists and beer was 25 miles to the pint.
5th March 2005, Back to Bham.
Visited Tesco for breakfast. Discovered that they didn't do breakfast.
Cycled the "scenic route" in reverse to Moreton in Marsh and had some
interesting moments on the ice. The long drag up to Tesco was now a
long drag on the brakes gingerly downhill. At times the road crackled
as my tyres cut through the top snow. At other times it was silent as
I skidded from stable-point to stable-point, crapping myself at each
momentary loss of control.
Arrived at Moreton in Marsh and resigned myself to having fig rolls
and vending machine coffee for breakfast. To return to Bham there is a
choice of changing train at Oxford or Worcester. I was planning on
Worcester but the Oxford train which I had not planned to use was
late.
That's it, back at home now, but a nice two days it was.
--
Jesus was apparently betrayed by 8.3% of his disciples.