As I sit here on this dark Friday on the last day of February; my eyes shift from the computer screen to the window and back. Outside it's currently -4c c (24° f) and it's snowing, again.
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| Looking down Central Avenue in Oakdale just before the Blizzard of 2018 |
Thursday, 01 March 2018 - St. David's Day; When my wife came downstairs this morning, I immediately told her that the BBC had modified the weather report yet again. Now we have a red warning (a first under the new colour system). They are actually calling for blizzard conditions over the next two days. Without missing a beat, she responded; "I want to go out in it." And that my friends is why I love the girl madly.
Never-ending Winter
The wind is blasting the sides of our house and I've built a roaring fire in the hearth. I've not been on my bike for a week and it doesn't look as if I will be any time soon. Here in the UK they're calling it the "Beast from the East". The Portuguese weather stations however took a less "Hollywood" approach and simply named the storm; "Emma". Whichever you choose, it's going down in the record books. Headlines in the paper say this could be the worst snowfall in 30 years. Some say this could be the worst winter in 30 years.
We've been to the Coop. We sat in the coffee shop and watched the wind blow our neighbours about the village square, nursing lattes and joking about how bad weather gets people out of doors. I'm thinking; "today would be a good day to have a fat bike." But actually, it's a very good day to write.
I've got five short features for your online reading entertainment this month. I'm starting off with an important event that needs revisiting and a charity dear to my heart. I follow that with four more bits including: details on the inner workings of Bike Wales, a glorious ride I made during a brief respite from the Siberian blast, a small gallery of new images, and a missing report from 2017.
I hope you enjoy this issue! cheers - cm
We've been to the Coop. We sat in the coffee shop and watched the wind blow our neighbours about the village square, nursing lattes and joking about how bad weather gets people out of doors. I'm thinking; "today would be a good day to have a fat bike." But actually, it's a very good day to write.
I've got five short features for your online reading entertainment this month. I'm starting off with an important event that needs revisiting and a charity dear to my heart. I follow that with four more bits including: details on the inner workings of Bike Wales, a glorious ride I made during a brief respite from the Siberian blast, a small gallery of new images, and a missing report from 2017.
I hope you enjoy this issue! cheers - cm
Features
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MY RIDES: I've been on 21 rides this year; however, not every outing merits a write up. My ride over the Bwlch is a classic route amoungst the Welsh cycling community and was a stunning ride over a scenic icon. ► Read more... |
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MY RIDES: Just like every ride may not be worthy of a report, I may only take one or two photographs during a ride. This leads to random photos floating about without much of a story. You can see a quick round up of these images in my lastest gallery.
► Read more... |
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I've got a short piece about my blog redesign. It's visually subtle, but requires a great deal of work on the backend. You may have noticed that I dig that kinda thing. And yes, I documented all the mundane details of my efforts.
► Read more... |
Out From the Archive
On the Web
Ya gotta love this guy... His approach to cycling is nothing short of charming, plus his reviews are spot on. He's got a great YouTube channel as well. Go on. Check it out and get lost in the World of Russ for a few hours. You'll be glad you did and with 20,000 subscribers, he's clearly doing something right!
Path Less Pedaled / YouTube Channel
Pathless Pedaled website
THIS SITE IS NOW DEFUNCT
I admit that I found this site from reading Path Less Pedaled, but it's a blatent indorsement of them both. There's so much exuberance on the Internet about cycling these days, it's nice to find a site that seems down-to-earth and rational. It's a well thought out read. They seem damn friendly too.
I admit that I found this site from reading Path Less Pedaled, but it's a blatent indorsement of them both. There's so much exuberance on the Internet about cycling these days, it's nice to find a site that seems down-to-earth and rational. It's a well thought out read. They seem damn friendly too.
First off, this website is a visual delight. The overall design and photography are simply stunning. Plus, this month they've got a video on a trip through Wales! That's reason enough to check'em out. Give your lust for cycling a good visual rub. Then get on yer bike and come to Wales!
Cardiff tried having a bike rental scheme a few years back and it failed miserably. We'll see how it flys this go'round. It's a trend I'm not so sure of, but if it can lead to improved cycle lanes in town then I'm all for it. I hope it's a flying success.
Sexy Bike Alert!
Most people wouldn't describe a touring bike as sexy, but not me. Bar-end shifters, rim brakes, and triple-cranks rock my world. I'll not make any apologies. 40 years ago a Fuji America was hands-down my dream touring bike. Just go check it out. (and see: an original Fuji America)
Coming next Issue
- Will I get to ride my bike this month?
- Will I write Part Two on my Taff Trail Project?
- Will I have a new Ride with GPS Report?
- Will I be forced into another month of reviewing my archive?
- Will Wales ever see Spring again?
