David and Katherine Goodwin

Hopefully nothing else is going to die on me this week, but yesterday my bicycle suffered a fatal injury. I knew the frame was cracked in one place, and was about to take it to A&E (bike shop) but it beat me to it.

See : here for the gory pictures

When I did take it to the bike shop this morning, I discovered it had another crack in the seat stem... so in total - 3 defects on one frame. Nice.

Feckenham's Scarecrow Festival

On Sunday, I decided to cycle to Stratford-upon-avon and back (route here). As only I would do. The ride itself was quite nice, although it seemed easier on the way back. There were stupid roadworks on the A46, so I had to take a detour uphill, hence the indirect route. On the way back, I managed to get a little lost, hence the extra dual carriageway.

As normal I sweated loads.

While cycling to work this morning on the Hewell Lane (along side the A448), some stupid van driver decided to get a little too close for comfort, and managed to knock my elbow with his wing mirror. There was no oncoming traffic, that I remember, so he had no excuse for not overtaking properly.

I gestured in an impolite manner at him as he drove off into the distance, but I doubt he would have seen me considering his left wing mirror was now folded in.

While cycling home yesterday evening, I managed to get stung by a wasp - in my bottom lip.

This reaffirmed my belief that I probably have an allergic reaction to wasp stings.

This photo shows me just after getting home (hence sweat, brightly coloured top and ear-phones).

Some hours later, things hadn't really improved ...

On Wednesday, I finally picked up by road-ish bike (Ridgeback) after it had it's first service. My physic abilities had indicated it probably needed a service after the brakes had pretty much worn out, so I took the opportunity to get clip on pedals and have a 6 month service.

Unfortunately, the bike shop decided it needed £150 worth of 'repairs' (new brake pads, chain, cassette and labour).

Over the weekend we went camping near Hereford (Cuckoos Corner Camp Site, Moreton-on-lug, HR4 8AH) (google maps link).

On Saturday, Chris and I cycled there from Bromsgrove, which was a nice trip, although the roads were too busy to cycle abreast and chat. I think it took us approx 3 hours to do the 50ish miles. We took a route that went through Bromyard.