I’ll be in the fridge.

The brief power cut really added to the lived experience of a 28 deg bedroom last night. Best sleep in a week though.

Truly feel for any of you lot over in the east, it’s grim enough here far out west and I’m practically in Z2 sat stationary. Stay cool, autumn will arrive soon enough.

Sweat.

A cool place.

In the grand scheme of yet another weird mood day, a 4am start, 5am weights session, two bike rides and a solid writing hour isn’t bad at all. A great person I used to know once referred to it as a jam sandwich day. Just be whatever you need to be.

Sleepy lanes, not a soul around.

Not to be the killjoy, but bank holiday weekends feel like walking into a communal garden where there are no clothes, bad smells, shit music and not a single bird.

For the quiet ones who opt for darkness over light, solitude over crowds, and peace over the euphoric screech and stench of summer. Calmer seasons will come. #scape

Perfect day. #cycling

Rocking out.

Fresh page, birds. #writing

Rest nights.

Just subbed probably the sweetest little story I’ve ever written. I don’t mind if it doesn’t make it, because it was truly a mind break to write. Came from a dream rather than a nightmare. #writing

Beat the rain. Just… #cycling

Strong little spin around the lanes after a day in Cardiff. Being cooped up in the van definitely added to the momentum on that one. Bliss. #cycling

For the early birds. #writing

Best feeling in the world, best drug for the mind. Miles of road, few cars, quiet people, mind off. Roll on the next ride. #mentalhealth #cycling

First time getting this view as we’re usually panting up the segment behind it. #cycling

The drift.

30mph tailwind, yes mate. #cycling

There’s an absence of girl chat re cycling performance & hormones so I’ll add this. Riding out on PMDD is rough, sluggish and often with angst filled miles. But once you find a killer climb, get yourself into Z4 and just go for it, everything shifts. Those climbs are the best thing, every time.

Strong little days.

No better blast of the morning blues than a song that speaks to you and your bike promising to lift you up those climbs today. Nice one.

3:30am rise and shine, 7:30am physio, hair appointment to come. Running on fumes today. Ride motivation needed right now.

Lost a bit of my soul on that ride today. Strange roads, weird feeling, ended up miles out alone and had to send J my location. Concluded outside a polling station. Such a strange ride, didn’t even feel my legs but still got a trophy. #cycling

The mellow route. #cycling

This one will not be for many, but those who have been there will get it. substack.com/@darkonelf/n...

Every time you screamed it came out as a smile. #writing

All the climbs. #cycling

When the roads are quiet and the clouds are singing.

Bad jokes with strangers and singing Elton John all the way home.

Floating.

I would say something about the mood of that day but the discarded lumps of bread will do.

Before sunrise, where words are real and masks are never worn. #writing

Drafting in the caravan today, working on one of those scenes. J has just walked in, seen my face and has now said he’s going to rally up some fellow campers to come in and listen to a reading. If anyone here actually heard what I was writing I don’t think we’d be allowed back again. #writing

Massive push on the final few miles today. Looked at J, we’re both covered in dead flies and panting like dogs. Couldn’t talk so we just growled at each other in acknowledgment. A deep guttural headwind growl. #cycling

Burning off the worries on roads full of shine.