Turf Zone – TheBigAsh
Well, that’s a week into the TURF Ultimate Region Fight 2024 and I find myself totally lost on where I’ve been turfing, when I was there and how many times I’m been there as well. Even wondering what day of the week it is, though that perhaps isn’t all that unusual when you are retired. Really had to think hard this evening to recall where I was in the afternoon. Was it Bonnyrigg or Rosewell? Or was it down in darkest Dalkeith? It was actually Newtongrange. Oh, by the way, I’m using the nice cheery sunny picture above, not because that where I was turfing today, but because it’s been another wet miserable day of drizzle and it might cheer us all up a tad.
As far as the TURF Ultimate Region Fight 2024 goes, after week 1, Scotland sits in 4th place with 24 points, behind Västmanland who are in the lead with 31 points. However, with another 4-weeks to go all still to play for. Personally, I achieved my aim of “making the cut”, to stay in the Top 20 with a week 1 points tally of just over 107,000 which I’m happy with.
Of course, the question that does arise is could I have done more? And the obvious answer, which perhaps might apply to all taking part, is yes. I guess we can always do a little bit more, just one more zone or a few revisits on the way back home. Everything counts. And all those turfers who are in Team Scotland but didn’t make the Top 20 are still very much valued, particularly those who clear zones locally. Very much appreciated. Keep up the good work.
On the topic of my on-going quest to create the Ultimate Turfing Bicycle, a recommendation from a friend has suggested a bike mechanic in Eskbank who is very keen to tackle the job of installing a set of Hope RX4+ 4-pot brakes onto the Ribble CGR SL. He seems to know his stuff from what I can ascertain. So, fingers crossed I’ll have a set of super-pudor stoppers on the bike this Wednesday. After that, I’ll be looking at getting a custom frame bag from Alpkit.
This miserable weather, dreich is the fine Scottish word best at describing what we’ve had to contend with these past few days, have been challenging to say the least. I did come across another very descriptive word on the Turf Scotland WhatsApp group. That word was smirr, a fine mist like rain, like drizzle but finer, more annoying, more penetrative. I like that word. Anyway, decided to look at a decent set of waterproofs for turfing on the bike on rainy days. My aim to be totally dry, or at least as dry as I can manage. I want waterproofs that do what they are designed to do, keep me dry.
First step was to purchase a good quality Gore-Tex waterproof jacket, the Gore-Tex Paclite and I’m waiting for that to arrive. Gore-Tex still seems to be regarded as one of the best, rather expensive, but hopefully a step above the cheaper alternatives I’ve been wearing. After that, and if all turns out fine, Gore-Tex gloves, cap, overshoes and leggings. It’s not going to be cheap but the funds procured for the purchase of another bike, which I’m no longer perusing, are available for use. Will be posted a report on how the new jacket fairs in due course. By-the-way, if you sign up to the mailing list on the GoreWear site, you get 20% off your first order. Back soon.
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