Made the most of a couple of spare hours today for a quick 30 mile spin (and some hills). Definitely some of the best medicine you can get!

Best job at the depot (if you like stopping).

This evening's venue.

Back to it, after a week away!

An unexpected pass ride back from Norwich today, giving a different view for a change.

Good to see you, albeit only briefly, Will!

Morning!

Suspiciously eerie earlier this Saturday evening, as my chariot home from Norwich awaits.

Funny how they have absolutely no way of retrieving your address but do somehow have your phone number 🤔

It's looking like they've got a few more months yet. Network Rail didn't consult all TOCs correctly, so the planned commissioning in the autumn fell through.

Meet the new gateline supervisor 😻

Another day, another demonstration at Ely of how these "professional drivers" fall a long, long way short of the standards proudly held by train drivers. Those who say it's easier to drive a van than a train – well, I've never ripped the roof off my train before...

On the face of it, a pretty unassuming ride to the station. In reality, I now have very wet feet 😅

Newark done, shunt done, wandering done, now a bit more shunting to be done to form up my rake for 5K99 (preserving the long-held tradition that Lincoln drivers absolutely do not shunt at Lincoln 😅)

I doubt I'll be complaining of being overworked 😅

Not sure "little" is the word for it 🤣

Time for some, er, work?

Getting a few miles in before the weather comes in, slowly pushing the average speed higher and beating Beacon Hill a bit more too.

Correct, as it happens! Didn't know whether they'd have it back by then or not.

No Liverpool, in the end, just a two hour fester at Oxford Road. I was surprised that they didn't want me to shunt out of the way somewhere, but it seems that there's virtually nothing else running for me to be in the way of!

Rather a voyage into the unknown today...☔️🛶

I do too, but it was a bit of a faff when I was either rushing to catch a train or keen to get home! I've treated myself to a bike computer which makes it all easier.

I must do this next year! I've already started trying to record pretty much every bike mile that I do, even the school run and cycling to the station.

A nice bit of variety to conclude 2024, at least until the second half was cancelled in its entirety! A quick stomp and some delicious Thai cuisine before empties straight back instead. Happy New Year and all that 🍻

A leisurely and sociable ride out in the perpetual mist earlier today, exploring some new parts of the #NationalCycleNetwork, then a completely different sort of atmospheric this evening with a late turn signalling a deltic-shaped Noise Machine.

Glad to know it's not just us then. Went out for a nice bike ride in the countryside earlier, and couldn't see any of it!

Almost forgot to post the obligatory record. Just about enough gravy to go around!

Bright and early this morning at Lime Street, and my short-formed 1L07 was the only thing standing between me and the upcoming festivities. Happy Christmas, one and all!

Ye olde faithfule 5M06, but with some bizarre "stops" today 🤷‍♂️