Armed with my latest gadget, a Mission Darkness Faraday Bag bought for my investigation into the mysterious art of turf arm-pitting, I set off down to my nearest zone, Pittendreich, only a few minutes freewheel from the front door. For my initial test, I decided to allow the zone to take a few segments of the take-bar, place the phone into the Faraday bag, then cycle along to the next zone, Brixwold, a few minutes ride upstream.
Just before entering the next zone, I retrieved the phone from the Faraday bag, and checked the screen. The first thing I noticed was a voice alert, “leaving zone”, followed by “taking zone”, then all activity ceased. I assume this must all relate to the first zone Pittendreich. Okay, start again. At zone Brixwold, I repeated the steps, this time allowed the take-bar to reach half-way before placing into the Faraday bag. Then I cycled back to zone Pittendreich, stopped outside the zone and checked what progress had been made. Same again. All a bit confusing this. More testing required. I think I’ll have to start again.
Okay folks, it’s now sometime later and I’m somewhat distracted from the above. It’s entirely the fault of Brompton, who have gone and brought out my dream Brompton bicycle, released for pre-order on 21st October. I actually came across this in a YouTube video posted by the lovely Hannah from Brilliant Bikes where she visits Brompton and talks about the new Brompton electric range. I probably should not have watched it!
Not only have they revised the current electric Brompton setup, moving the motor from the front wheel to the rear, relocated the control gear to gain better balance and adding a handlebar mounted remote control, it also has start assist mode for speedy take-offs from your next zone on the Loanhead Ferret Run. But best of all, even better than the 90 km (55 miles) claimed range (depending on lots of things!), there will also be an electric version in the titanium and carbon fibre T Line range. Indeed, my dream bike, a lightweight folding bike in titanium and carbon fibre, with an electric motor and available as a single speed as well. I’m not mentioning the price. Oh dear, how am I going to raise this one with ChoccyMuffin?
Now, some time ago I mentioned an issue I was having with my toes getting all sore and tender with painful red patches appearing after cycling or walking on cold weather. Heated socks helped prevent the problem in cold weather but recently I’ve worked out that my toes were also getting compressed, as if my shoes were too small. Turns out the shoes were too small and this down to the fact that my feet are now larger than they used to be.
It’s something that happens when you get older. One of those things they never tell you about when you are growing up. I do wonder if there should be an “O” level class about life and everything that goes with it? The muscles, tendons and other structures tend to lose their strength with age, resulting in the feet flattening out, thus increasing in size. My size 9 is now at least a size 9.5 or better a size 10, depending on the footwear. I’ve also discovered a remarkable treatment to my sore toes, something called Snowfire, an ointment that actually seems to work. Not really turfing this but might help another turfer keep on turfing!
I’m have the habit of marking junctions on some off-road trails that are difficult to find during night-time turf sessions, placing small reflective markers at the junctions. However, I’ve lost the wee plastic container containing a set of reflective strips and my entire collection of drawing pins. It was probably lost in Dalkeith country park, so do please keep an eye out when in the area. Cheers.
To finish, a little quiz to test your general knowledge. What activity do the terms floaters, Klingons, splash-back and sinkers refer too? No need to send in the answer. Bye for now
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