A wet bike ride

9th June 2012

9 riders out!

We headed over to Manchester airport today with Callum from Connors class at school and his family, Dad also joined us for what was potentially going to be a wet day out.
It poured it down all the way there, and when we were unloading the bikes from the cars, we had to dive for cover out of the monsoon-like weather.

Lots of flooded paths and tracks today so the kids had fun!

Like I said the kids had fun!

Callum managing a U-turn in 6" of muddy water

Connor, desperate to have the biggest bow-wave.

Cerys is in there, it was more like riding in a shallow canal today at times!

Just after arriving at the viewing park this Cathy Pacific Cargo jumbo landed.

Wishfull thinking? A week of sun? Anything but this!

Cerys - the only one who was completely rain free! I wish I could ride in the trailer (instead of towing it)

Mums, chatting again.

Under the final approach, it was almost a constant stream of aircraft arrivals and departures today it must be because its err, (coughs) SUMMER!

I tracked the route with a little I-gotU device today, it says the distance was 13 miles.

Life is like a box of chocolates.......

Sunday 3rd June 2012

Forest Gump

What does one do on a miserable wet bank-holiday?

Well for me, when its wet and drizzly, I always feel like going out to the Peaks and running, today was one of those days.
'I just felt like running, so I did'

Obviously I had to stop every now and then, otherwise I wouldn't have got this photo!

Back at the car a little damp, but otherwise in good spirits. Nearly gave in and went to the pub on the way home - no drinking for a few weeks though, I'm in training!

9.43k , just shy of a 10k

Very enjoyable!

A new set of wheels

Saturday 2nd June 2012

Lightweight transportation

With the forthcoming Irish Sea Crossing ahead, I've been trying to get all the logistics sorted as best I can.
I've been keeping my eyes open for some lightweight wheels suitable for making a super-light kayak trolley to use when boarding the ferry at the begining or end of the crossing. I found some last week on a scrap Thomas the Tank engine scooter!
My design breif (to myself) was: to produce an occasional use, lightweight (around 1.5Kg) compact trolley that doesn't move around when in use.

After some sketching and thought, I picked up some bits of 4mm mild steel rod and locked myself in the workshop with the grinder and welder.

Here's the result:

I formed the 4mm rod to roughly follow the hull on my kayak.

Just need to pick up some 'R' clips to hold the wheels in position.

It fits easily in the front or rear hatch on my boat, and even better it weighs only 760grams!

I havn't gone far with it, but its positioning is rock solid as I designed it to sit where the first set of deck cleats are. It's light and compact size means I can pick the kayak up easily with it still attached - bonus!