Uneven

The cycling blight that is a puncture has affected our cycling again. A short while ago on another foggy morning we used the cycle path, and I got a puncture. Last weekend Matt used it to cycle home, and this morning as he approached his bike; a puncture was evident. Fixing it would have meant a later start. It's not normally a problem, but he had plans that a late return from the ride was not compatible with. So I received an abort text. It arrived when I was in the garage unlocking the bike so I went out alone.

The cycle path along the Limpsfield Rd is very poorly maintained. Often when we use it a flat tyre is the outcome. It's a fast road and is used by morons. Even in bad weather they don't slow down and often pass too close. There is a lot of news about encouraging more people to ride a bike. And plenty of money is being spent on cycle lanes etc. But very little is being done to change driver behavior. Sentencing for injuring or killing cyclists is not consistent and lenient. I know most drivers don't intentionally go out to hit cyclist, but when they do the punishment should take into account the consequences. Drivers need to know it's not okay to be inattentive, to not give others a safe space. a close pass is a driver either not paying attention or them making a decision to put someone in danger. I read everyday about close passes; which is either driving without due care and attention or dangerous driving. And in most cases the police aren't interested. The videos are there for them to see the offence. But they just don't want to know. The Met police are one of a few that target this. Surrey police rarely do.  I have stopped reporting drivers to them, what's the point?

Cycling will always be seen as dangerous and few want to change that. I feel old when I say this, but it was better when I was a kid. Cyclist aren't blameless, When I was younger few jumped red lights or rode on the pavement. Fewer used the road for time trials, there was no strava in those days.

I headed for White Lane, a steep hill past Botley. But as I approached the roundabout leading to Titsey Hill and then White Lane there were signs that the road was closed. So I continued to Tatsfield village, and through it to the steep hills beyond. With no-one to talk to time passes quickly and the ride just becomes a way to stay fit and to burn off some of the frustration built up during the week. I look forward to it, but it's better when there is a sociable element to it.

I rarely stop when I'm on my own, I only pausing to take pictures. Flower Farm is the exception. If the weather isn't too bad I'll stop there for tea and cake.

The weather is unpredictable so I don't know if we'll be out tomorrow, I hope we will.

Please add your address to my mailing list, or click the follow button to be kept informed about future posts.
Follow me on twitter. 

Leave a comment about this post. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this or any blog post.

For more of my work, go to my Facebook page.

and 

website

A blast from the past.

What a weekend, it was great to be out.

Yesterday was warmer at first than today, but as we neared the bus stop visibility was so poor it was dangerous to be on the road.

This morning was frosty and I regretted having a very short haircut on Saturday. But it was bright blue skies.

It was also really good to be with Matt for both days, it makes such a difference.

I was looking through old pictures, everyone says this weekend was warm compared to years gone by.

They are right.

This one from 2010

And not so extreme from 2013

Our destination was Godstone green. It's such a pleasant place to sit in the sunshine next to the pond. Being out of direct sunlight as we descended into the valley was cold though. The climb out was no problem, a steep hill will always warm you up.

I also realise many of my pictures only show my bike, sorry Matt. I will do better from now on.

Please add your address to my mailing list, or click the follow button to be kept informed about future posts.
Follow me on twitter. 

Leave a comment about this post. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this or any blog post.

For more of my work, go to my Facebook page.

and 

website

This is not what the countryside is for

Our countryside is blighted again with the mess left by morons. It's the second time in the last twelve months this spot has had a burnt out van in it. We need to protect our countryside.

More often now Matt and I have to cycle past the results of fly tipping. This is even worse, the fire would have caused a poisonous cloud and contaminated the ground. Then there is the cost of clearing it up.

I'm not a fan of CCTV, and it's massive expansion, but it really is the only way to tackle this. The van had no engine so someone must have towed it.

In other news; the weather is on the turn, still a little chilly and foggy in the morning. But it very quickly warms and brightens up.

As I left the house to meet Matt it was overcast, but clear. Only as we neared the bus stop did the fog become a problem. And once again, a lot of people seemed not to notice the reduced visibility. Cars, vans, and bicycles passed us without lights.

It was part of the conversation we had as we drank our tea.

Is the general population getting dumber? It seems evolution is in reverse as far as humans are concerned.

They need decisions to be made for them, they can't possibly be held accountable for anything.
They are less considerate of others, and are quicker to anger.
They are always looking for someone to influence them, or to emulate. Often the influencers lives are made up for TV. The reality TV where little of it is reality.

It was good to read that the BRITS banned the stars of these pointless shows from the red carpet and afterparties. Maybe there is some hope.

And it gets worse; the people who have influence or control treat us with contempt. More interested in their future than ours.

I'm so glad that we get out on our bikes and for a short time at least try to switch off.

Please add your address to my mailing list, or click the follow button to be kept informed about future posts.
Follow me on twitter. 

Leave a comment about this post. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this or any blog post.

For more of my work, go to my Facebook page.

and 

website

Is it spring yet?

A very foggy cycle this morning, 17 miles mostly along a cycle path. We don't use it very often because it's very poorly maintained and there is a high risk of punctures. But it just wasn't safe to ride on the road. Streams of cars barely slowing for the reduced visibility, a lot with no headlights on.

Not far from the bus stop the bike started to wobble and as I slowed it became obvious I had a puncture.

We decided to have our tea by the Botley Arms and as Matt sorted it out I set about patching the inner tube. It was all going well until I tried to inflate the tyre. The pump was almost locked in the short position. No matter what I did it wouldn't work. I'm guessing the one-way valve that allows air to be sucked in is blocked. Everything I tried failed, luckily Matt had a pump. These past few weeks I had been on my own, a puncture would have meant a long walk pushing the bike. I don't remember the last time either of us was afflicted with this cycling blight. It's nearly always when one of us uses the cycle path.

I'm home now, new pump clamped to the bike. I never thought to test the pump as part of any maintenance routine, I'll do it from now on.

Last weekend had been a little chilly, and the weekend before that had snow. Now the daffodils are hopefully heralding the start of spring.

We chatted about Matt's recent trip to Delhi, they have a cycle scheme like London. Matt has used schemes whilst in cities around the world, but I can't blame him for not using it in Delhi. He had some videos of his trips in a motorised rickshaw. The roads are as chaotic as I thought they would be. Although the low speed everyone was travelling at may make it safer than some roads around here. Probably still not worth the risk.

Please add your address to my mailing list, or click the follow button to be kept informed about future posts.
Follow me on twitter. 

Leave a comment about this post. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this or any blog post.

For more of my work, go to my Facebook page.

and 

website

Plagiarism and art

Reading photography articles and blogs as I do can cause me to question them. One such article about Richard Prince is the latest. His pictures, copies of advertising material have sold for millions of dollars. They are even called iconic.

He takes pictures of the artwork, he calls it rephotographing, removes the brand name and it is now his art. 

Musicians go to court to defend themselves. Writers have to be sure their work is original. Technology is patented. Richard has even tweeted that “artists don’t sue other artists,”

In Richard's case he just needs to add a description to the work, telling the viewer what it now means. The longer and more convoluted the better.

The original creator isn't mentioned, 

The Telepgraph can't praise him enough, take a look. They called him the coolest artist alive. They also mention Andy Warhol, he was another one who copied advertising artwork and made it his own.

Here is more info.

I'm left wondering about art. It seems anything is allowed in it's name. If you have the right supporters and you can attach a narative to your work it's art.

Defenders of these artist often say the detractors are jealous of the success, or wish they had thought of the idea first. Neither reason is why I question what I see and read.

It always stikes me as the emperor's new clothes syndrome or, as I always ask; am I missing something?

A final thought; this could mean there is no copywrite for photography. If someone sees a picture they want to use, it appears to be okay to copy it and make only a small change. Just a new crop is enough, for it to be classed as a new picture, and not yours. Thank about that for a minute in relation to all those pictures you have posted online.

Please add your address to my mailing list, or click the follow button to be kept informed about future posts.
Follow me on twitter. 

Leave a comment about this post. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this or any blog post.

For more of my work, go to my Facebook page.

and 

website

a balanced diet

It's been a tough week and I was tired when I awoke. Even worse it would be a solo ride. All of this meant I had a hard time motivating myself to get out on the bike.

But out I went, with a stop at Flower Farm on the way back. It was the thought of this treat that gave me the extra push I needed.

The route was my standard one when on my own, through Woldingham past Godstone, up the Enterdent and back to the cafe at the farm.

I had a small worry as I walked in though, no-one in the cafe. Could it be closed? But then as if by magic two people came in from the shop to serve me.

Hot drink and cake ordered I went to my regular seat by the fire.

I noticed the sign at the top of this post, I only had one cake, I don't think I could have eaten two. One delicious, huge slice was enough. It included fruit so it counts as one of my five a day.

The weather forecast is for rain tomorrow. I'll have to see if I get out.

Please add your address to my mailing list, or click the follow button to be kept informed about future posts.
Follow me on twitter. 

Leave a comment about this post. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this or any blog post.

For more of my work, go to my Facebook page.

and 

website