Tango

I'm like Pete, I tend to get out on the bike and back before it gets too hot. It does mess about with the tyre pressures though!

That's fair enough, Clive. I know a few people that have called it a day. My only "problem" is that we've only got the one car, which my missus uses for work, so the bike is my independence. I don't think the current situation is insurmountable, but I'm really just trying to get my head around what's changed.

I think that there's definitely an element of this, Pete. I've become aware of when I stop now I have both feet down and stop on the front brake, which, due to the soft springing on the forks, causes the front to dive and upsets the balance. I don't know why I'm doing this, but maybe it's a balance thing as you suggest.

Yes, it's generally accepted that the suspension is a compromise between the on-road and off-road pretensions of the bike. But it seems that most people accept that compromise and leave the bike stock. I guess that maybe I need to look at a more road oriented bike, as I don't see me spending too much time off- road and if I did want to do more of that then maybe look at a small trail bike for those occasions. Thanks for your input, Bob.

I don't think so, Pete. I wear reading glasses, but the last time I had my eyes checked, which is just over a year ago, my distance vision was 20:20. Interesting to hear your story though, as sometimes there can be a factor that we completely overlook.

Or maybe I just need to get a few more Km under my belt on it? It's very different to my last bike, that I owned for 7 years.

Portuguese coast just north of Cape St Vincent.

I've been riding bikes for about 46 years and, in the earlier days, it was my only transport year round, but just recently I've lost some of my confidence on the bike. I'm aware that my riding is not as smooth as it used to be and that in turn makes me feel less at ease on the bike. So I'm trying to figure out what's changed? Due to the pandemic and the move out here I had the best part of 2 years with very little riding, so, am I just rusty and the more I ride the better it'll get? Maybe it's the bike? I find the suspension much too soft for me. It dives like crazy whilst braking and wallows and wobbles on any undulations in the road. It also tramlines like crazy too, which I guess is due to the tyres. I can still get the bike over near to the edge of the tyres, but don't make progress like I used to. Maybe it's just an age thing? I'm a lot more cautious than I used to be. Has anyone else felt that the lack of getting out on the bike due to the restrictions had a negative effect on their confidence on the bike? Or maybe a bike that just doesn't inspire confidence? Your thought and comments would be appreciated.

Svolvaer, Northern Norway

Thermal baths in Budapest.

Prague several years ago, just leading up to Christmas.

Thanks. It was a really murky day with a light fog that didn't clear. This was taken probably 2-3pm. It was taken on my Galaxy S8 and I reduced the resolution to give it a bit of a grainy appearance.

Taken during a walk between Christmas and New year along the river we used to live near.

TBF, even though we've only been here since last year, you get used to the heat to an extent. We now look at the forecast and it's "only" going to be 25C tomorrow!

No, us paupers can only afford a trailer!

Best not mention the pool then!

Do you reckon?

Thanks Pete. We stretched to budget a bit, but we both fell in love with the place when we saw it. And it's got aircon in all the rooms too!

It's nothing fancy, but it ticks all of our boxes.

I'd never realised what or who they were before? Yeah, yeah, I live under a rock!

It's a small villa, Pete. Just fancied somewhere with a bit of a garden around it.

Today I will mainly be waiting in for a couple of deliveries. Not much biking action planned for the weekend. At least, yesterday we went for another look around the place that we're buying and started planning how we're going to furnish it, as we ditched most of our furniture in the UK before we came out here.

How about a photo thread with a different theme each month? For instance one month could be bridges, with a photo of your bike and a bridge? Just as another bit of fun and it may give folks some inspiration of places to seek out on their bike? Just a thought @XTreme?

Thanks Pete. You may have seen it on FB too.