CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[CitroJim]

Zel, 15mph is a lot more than I average on a hybrid knocking around MK so no worries at all there

The Redways are not built for speed and anyway, it's nice to ride at a leisurely pace and enjoy the scenery as well as denying many a smartphone addict a Darwin Award

If you need any assistance with recommissioning your bike you know where I am

[Michel]

Only problem with that if that I'd hope you lot up!

Noo, not with me on my mountain bike with its knobbly tyres, and Jim on his hybrid. Averaging 15mph is nigh on impossible. It's hard enough on a road bike on the road. Add in being safe around pedestrians and I'd be surprised if much more than 10mph was do-able.

[CitroJim]

Averaging 15mph is nigh on impossible. It's hard enough on a road bike on the road.

Mike, yes, exactly. I averaged just over 15mph on good roads yesterday and that, give or take, is my norm...

As all MK Redways are shared and constantly busy with pedestrians and dog-walkers, care at all times is needed... I average a little under 10mph on those riding my hybrid...

Just off out on the hybrid in a bit - it's too lovely an afternoon to stay in...

[CitroJim]

Just been out for a ride around the MK Redways on my hybrid and I averaged 10.9mph

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2520742310

It was a gorgeous ride on a lovely afternoon but by gollly, that east wind is starting to pick up

A little picture of my bike propped against an NCN route marker in Campbell Park adjacent to our Totem Pole and cricket pavilion

Own Work

In other news, a fault on a vintage Philips CD player that's been baffling me on and off for months has finally yielded up the cause of the problem...

The error corrector memory IC is duff. It's a pretty standard 128K RAM IC and I noted it had no positive supply today due to its feed resistor being open-circuit. The resistor is not the complete problem as the IC itself is drawing no current. Looks like the IC 'popped' and took its feed resistor with it...

Own Work

Luckily the right RAM IC is still available and one is on order. For just under a tenner I should soon have a worker. Pleased I've finally found it. In nailing this fault I've learned a great deal how CD players work

It's been a great day

[van ordinaire]

I have a small collection of CD players (mainss & 12v) as I've had to keep replacing them - 'cos no one repairs them!

[CitroJim]

I have a small collection of CD players (mainss & 12v) as I've had to keep replacing them - 'cos no one repairs them!

Newer ones are hard to repair Van but the old originals - pre mid-80s - are easier... 'Walkman' type ones are almost impossible nowadays...

[van ordinaire]

The original mains one must be mid-80's - so who's to say? Its 1st & 2nd replacements were S/H so although acquired much later have no idea of their age.

The 12v multi-changer is '98-ish so, presumably, beyond the pale.

Maybe when it seems we might be in the same place at the same time, I'll just throw them in the back of the C15 & you can assess whether repair is viable/practicable.

[CitroJim]

The original mains one must be mid-80's - so who's to say? Its 1st & 2nd replacements were S/H so although acquired much later have no idea of their age.

Do you know what make and model they are Van? But at that age they should be fixable...

The 12v multi-changer is '98-ish so, presumably, beyond the pale.

To me, yes... Too new!

Maybe when it seems we might be in the same place at the same time, I'll just throw them in the back of the C15 & you can assess whether repair is viable/practicable.

I'm sure we can work out something

Replacing the suspect IC on my CD Player has restored normal operation now

This was the guilty party... Quite fun to desolder all 24 pins!

Own Work

And here's the payer playing a suitably vintage CD

Own Work

Late yesterday afternoon I was struck down by serious toothache... It came out of nowhere almost...

I've not so long returned from the dentist following root canal treatment for the cause of the problem and to clear the underlying infection...

The only pain I'm suffering now is in the wallet but to be free of the pain is worth every penny!

Just feeling a bit groggy and washed-out from having a very poor night last night...

[NewcastleFalcon]

Jim, the CD is going to be a bit of a poser for me. No idea what it is and the pic isn't detailed enough to work it out. The two sitting in the car are absolutely cringingly dressed, I hope its not the Carpenters...not for the music but the outfits!

It has a car on the front too, again no idea!

So save me the bother of it niggling away at me to solve....what is it!

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Scrub that it is the Carpenters!

Now and then 1973!


and the Car...thanks wiki

The car pictured on the cover was a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ("Daytona") owned by Richard. (Richard later sold the original red Ferrari featured on the album cover, but bought another car of the same type in 1995.)

Easy

Regards Neil

[CitroJim]

Neil, spot on It's one of the Carpenter's best albums in my opinion... Side 2 is interesting as it takes the form of a radio show with Richard as the DJ and they both singing covers of some very well-known early 60s stuff. It's cheesier than a slice of Stilton but great fun!

Think of the intro to "Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft" and that gives you a flavour of the whole side...

Agreed, the dress is a bit cringeworthy but then it's pure 70s and of its day.

Interesting on the story of the car - never knew that despite being a massive Carpenters fan and having had that particular album since I was about 14.

Today I have it on both vinyl and CD... Used to have it on musicassette once too...

[van ordinaire]

Jim, I don't "know" the make & model, I'd have to read that off them - &, at the moment, they are under/behind other stuff. However, now have some incentive to liberate them, at least before whenever it is we're likely to meet.

[CitroJim]

Sadly, this post is nothing about cars... I've done nothing on them for what seems weeks but then again in the past 10 days I've only driven one of my cars once and then only to the shops and back for a big shop!!!

All other times I've been cycling and running... I can tell you that running in virgin snow is a wonderful experience

After ten or so days of very mucky commuting and my bike getting utterly filthy I spent over an hour cleaning it today...

I was shocked to see a big build-up of aluminium dust on the front brake caliper from the wheel rim braking surface.

Own Work

I've never noticed it before... I wonder if I've been riding through some really abrasive muck! Salt perhaps...

So bad in fact the the braking surfaces are almost down to the wear indicators...

Own Work

Be time for some new wheels very soon...

Still, not bad considering the mileage this bike does and the rest of the bike is holding up very well to winter commuting

[Michel]

Be time for some new wheels very soon...

Yet another reason why my remaining bikes have disc brakes! Not only are they not affected at all by mud and crud off road, when they wear out. £10-15 for a disc, and a fiver for a set of pads

[Zelandeth]

Wheels, annoyingly are the one major bit my road bike is going to need before it's fully put back to working order. Several decades of the Scottish weather haven't been kind to them.

That box of bits will be finding its way over to Jim at some point so it can be turned back into a working bike as it deserves. Heck, maybe even get out for a proper ride on it again sometime. I've done enough miles on it over the years, it deserves to see daylight again.