Not much room...

I‘ve taken my foot off the gas recently - Imagination at dis-ease; as others are familiar, occasionally ‘stuff’ causes one’s picture of reality to confuse, fail and break-up.

I am reminded that paradigms power one’s perception, and perceptions power emotions. When the mind needs to create, see and feel ‘more’, the picture can blur and a cauldron of emotion and logic can tend to boil over ‘a tad’... So back to the reuptake  inhibitors.

Hence the lack of something to blog...

- Went to see singer/songwriter Martyn Joseph recently; an annual pilgrimage over the last 25 years; but in recent years he’s left me identifying with his song but disappointed or uncertain with my resolutions. As ever, great live music but the honest emotion didn’t help lighten the load.

- Turned 43 recently, that didn’t help lighten the load either.

- The prospect of the overinflated season of ‘want’ that’s approaching, doesn’t help.

Many years ago, relating to a certain lack of support from an academic institution, I casually complained that I felt as though we’d been drop-kicked and left to flounder in an undirected... yadda yadda...
My perspective was turned when it was pointed out that perhaps ‘a dropkick’ can potentially lead to points being scored, a goal, an achievement...  Easily said...

Here’s to being drop-kicked and riding with the curve...
Recent ponderings... the nature of 'motivation' and also ongoing wonderings about the mystery, rhythm and austerity of the 'natural' world...
...oh and fungi!
Images: Bradgate, Beacon HIll, East Goscote

Which way would you go? And why?

On my commute yesterday, reluctantly, I had reason to take another trip through suburban leicester rather than my usual rural route, as the crow (or barn owl) flies.
You'll be aware of my previous reaction to the experience of this specific suburban cycling route.  However, having ridden this route again, I still have the same opinions...
But I was led to think....

In life generally, I guess it's my nature to generally take the easier more pleasurable option. Surely would it not be madness not to?

My usual choice, is relatively comfortable; I enjoy flowing familiarity with negligible hurdles and man-made encounters. It is raw, spatial and rich in the spirit of something 'natural' (?)... It's relatively smooth and takes me where I intend to go... skirting intriguing worlds and lives with little incident... yes, it does have has it's unforeseen encounters but it's a an enjoyable option.

An alternative choice is a way populated with life in abundance. Much of what you'll find is in either in need of care and attention, badly designed, or both. It's past is evident, daily life and common culture are stamped on walls and faces. You'll encounter raw humanity... 'warts and all', but also what you find is rich in living lives, both sweet and sour.

Do Robert Frost's thoughts apply? Challenge? Avoidance? Survival? Common Sense?


Which way would you go? And why?

Look local first!

After unsuccessfully visiting two larger city cycle shops this morning, I popped into the 'small on the outside, big on the inside' local town shop. I was after a quality chargeable front light for my bike - for commuting daily using unlit country lanes.
It's fine immersing yourself in the supposedly 'this is what you need, 'cos this is want everyone else has' on the interweb, but perhaps 'real' life is more... real, amenable, alive...?

• The first large Half-auto store I passed; which adversities "For everything to do with bikes..."; didn't have ANY rechargeable lights and what it had was relatively basic and arguably not suitable.
• The second shop (an old standard of Nottingham origins) was helpful and informative and although they could order some (can't we call) didn't stock ANY rechargeable lights, and again what it had was relatively basic and arguably not suitable.
• Embarrassingly, my last choice, because I was passing on the way home, (and to be honest I thought it was a big ask for a small shop to stock a large range of accessories) to my surprise had just the thing!

They were welcoming, knowledgable and helpful.
The Serfas 'True 250' is just what I was looking for. 

The spec and the price was just right - and having compared it's credentials further I'm very pleased with it. It was a great to be able to see and try a range of options before I bought.

Thanks Cyclops, I had little faith but next time 'Cyclops Cycles' Cyclopscycles.co.uk in Syston will be my first choice.

Distant seasoning... drawing nearer...

That time of year again... when things hint at becoming sparkly, spiced and warming... (that's if you can find your way through the froth, the jingle-jingle and the plastic saturnalia).

But if you fancy something different in December and you're near Melton on 10th, come and listen to the unaccompanied sounds of Global Harmony in the seasoned setting of St Mary's Church Melton.

If you've not heard Global Harmony before check out; a bit of audio.  You get a taste from the above, but there's nowt quite like the real thing - if something a little different is your cuppa tea that is (with a hint of rooibos perhaps)!  I'm digressing and waffling again... or am I waffgressing... ?

Anyway... Global Harmony .

Life's too short to finish it early!

If you are fully aware of the info below, please share this with a friend...

- When passing cyclists, give them plenty of room, time and space to manoeuvre.
- Before overtaking make sure there’s a room ahead
- Allow plenty of room... do not cut in.
- Give cyclists at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car.
- You MUST NOT overtake by crossing a solid white line... unless cycle’s travelling at 10 mph or less.

I WAS NOT FULLY AWARE...

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD regs 10, 22, 23 & 24, ZPPPCRGD reg 24]

Motorcyclists and cyclists

211  It is often difficult to see cyclists... Always look out for them before you manoeuvre...   Be sure to check

mirrors and blind spots carefully.

212-3  When passing cyclists, give them plenty of room. Give them time and space to manoeuvre.

Overtaking

162 Before overtaking you should make sure the road is sufficiently clear ahead and that there is a suitable

gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake.

163 Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so.

You should allow plenty of room... do not cut in.

Give cyclists at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car.

165 You MUST NOT overtake by crossing a solid white line...

You may cross the line to overtake a cycle if they are travelling at 10 mph or less.

You MUST NOT overtake the nearest vehicle to a pedestrian crossing...

You MUST NOT overtake by entering a lane reserved for other vehicles...

If you are able to download a FREE sheet of 5 bookmarks to print, trim & share, here's a link: FREE Bookmarks

SPONSORSHIP: If you know of bodies that might simply sponsor the production and distribution of such an important road safety message, then contact the Bookmark People; ranging from a few thousand homes to an entire region, they can place targeted library bookmarks which can deliver your message uniquely to the heart of the community.

 
Alternatively just share this post!    Life's too short to finish early!