Last 4hrs spent on a nightmare DIY job, and maybe an hour of cleanup to follow. But the worst bit? I’ve had Combine Harvester by The Wurzels stuck in my head the entire time #earworm

Just a 23mi bike ride, cloudy and cool but no rain. Mid-Norfolk backroads in an appalling state, untold amounts of repairs needed. Soundtrack: great new @katherinepriddy.bsky.social album, theaudience, Monsoon #cycling

@rorycj.bsky.social Wondered if you had seen this recent piece on Musk’s ludicrous vapourware project? https://washingtonian.com/2026/02/12/how-elon-musks-sci-fi-hyperloop-failed/

Agent Orange really doesn’t know what he is getting into, does he? In a few years, they’ll be building a wall in DC with lots of names on it.

The knives are being sharpened right now. Press monstering in 3… 2… 1… Take care.

Local Boy In The Photograph

@julianneregan.bsky.social Your Ruminations email today was just lovely. I’ll read that book. All the best with the writing process.

The MD list of Alternative National Treasures: photographer, Graham McIndoe 🙏

Just finished the audiobook of True Story by Kate Reed Petty. Mind slightly blown; exceptional writing, stylistically bold, and I think it’s gonna linger in my mind for a good while. Strong recommend.

Illegal invasions and plundering, sea piracy, paramilitary Tonton Macoutes murdering civilians. Greatest Country in the World ™

They gentrified the tinfoil hat

Capitalism in action. L: multi-pack cereal bar bought a couple of months back, packaged weight 34g. R: same product bought last week, packaged weight 23g. Same price.

Approval ratings low? Why not start a war? Merry Christmas!

Sunny but cold 32mi/52km around the backroads of mid-Norfolk today. Soundtrack: Jean-Michel Jarre. Mid-ride snack: flask of black coffee, scotch egg, banana. Very few cars, all well behaved. #cycling is wonderful

My YouTube round-up for the year confirms that this is the music video I’ve watched more than any other - the Crossroads end credits. It’s just superb 😀 https://youtu.be/ENYgSn_kLe0?si=cFovbEZMACjyIguX

Bright but cold in #Norfolk this afternoon, icy westerly. 29mi/46km, steady ride as backroads full of mud, puddles, and leaf gunk. Break halfway for mini-flask of coffee and pork pie 😀 #cycling is wonderful for the mind and body

Just a gentle 27mi/43km around mid-Norfolk today. Backroads muddy and slippery with all the recent rain. Sunset 16:01, still another 5 weeks until solstice…

Nice 29mi/46km around mid-Norfolk, quiet roads, not a breath of wind, mild temp 13C/55F #cycling is the best therapy

Mike Joyce autobiography published 👍 https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/nov/03/smiths-drummer-mike-joyce-marr-morrissey-i-know-its-over

2026 Tour de France routes revealed. Men: TTT + double Alpe d’Huez. Women: Ventoux! https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/23/tour-de-france-femme-2026-route-cycling

“The president sounded incoherent, exhausted, rabidly partisan, at times stupid, meandering, couldn’t hold a thought together.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/05/trump-behavior-online-posts

Lovely, unhurried twilight 14mi/22km bike ride along deserted Norfolk country backroads. #cycling is good for the soul as well as the mind and body. Soundtrack: the gorgeous “Deserter’s Songs” by Mercury Rev.

Not feeling 100% today, but still did the Norfolk Autumn Classic Sportive. Well run event as usual. Zero discourtesy or dumb moves by passing motorists that I saw. Next one (incl. shorter variants) is in May 2026 if anyone fancies a go.

Fascinating. A ship’s cook’s tale of being stranded for months at sea due to Covid. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crev9y77njpo

So, a few months of ballroom dancing bollocks starts again…

Violent, grim, and totally compelling. Waited 35+ years to see this film since I first read the book #TheLongWalk Go and see it.

Hugely saddened at the passing of Stephen Luscombe, formerly one half of Blancmange until ill health intervened. Very talented musician. ‘Waves’ is still achingly sad and beautiful. RIP. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Cvb8m8Trh8c&si=mPXjPHYCpbeqfiIV

Why do UK news programmes continue the ridiculous charade of presenting the news as an outside broadcast from Number 10? Entirely pointless; nothing is going to happen, everything happened earlier. Do it from the studio.

Nice 32mi/51km along quiet Norfolk backroads. Breezy but warm, still vaguely summery. Sounds: X-Files soundtrack, Ennio Morricone, The Byrds, The Jam.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. We stand in solidarity with her. She’s now spoken out to set the record straight. She’s been demonised for simply asking if there was anything she could do to help. This kind of demonisation & victimisation that’s rooted in transphobia must stop.

Fine article by Dorian Lynksey on survivalist and post-apocalyptic fiction, its occasional links with loons, and the genre’s evolution. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/07/survivalist-apocalypse-stories-fiction Catastrophe! Heroism! Paranoia! The dangerous romance of survivalist stories

Good to see First Blood reassessed positively. Unlike the dreadful sequels, it was a genuinely good film. 100% audience surrogacy for the damaged anti-hero. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/aug/06/first-blood-rambo-sylvester-stallone-surprisingly-poignant-comment-on-masculinity

Found elsewhere, one for any French speakers. Wonderfully twisted machine logic.

Extraordinary final stage of the #tourdefrance Holy shit, I love this crazy race. Bloody brilliant.

BBC running this story. Very obviously planned and staged for the cameras. Sorry stuff indeed. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Cooler, gentle breeze, nice 45mi/71km backroads ride out to Castle Acre and back the long way #cycling

Fascinating article, not sure if I’m impressed or slightly horrified https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jul/03/the-secrets-of-self-optimisers-why-microefficiencies-are-on-the-rise The secrets of self-optimisers: why ‘microefficiencies’ are on the rise | Life and style | The Guardian

Quick 7mi/12km test ride on the folder. And who would have guessed there was a chippy on the route? Great little bike, 3sp hub gears fine for normal use #cycling

My new fitness band thing allows you to configure “Swinging” as a workout activity. Evidently, the designers’ lives are more interesting than mine.

Got another bike for post-apocalypse transport. Faecesbook Marketplace bargain, needed a major cleanup + new shifter cable + various tweaks. Seems to ride very well.

Anyone remembering the plot of Threads this morning?

Visited the Balance Brewing taproom in Manchester last weekend and had a pint of their Bine Saison. The most amazing beer I’ve ever drunk, so refreshing. Just enjoying the takeout bottle I brought back. Yes, it’s very expensive. https://balancebrewing.co/products/bine-x-pellicle-4-5-750ml-bottle

Intentionally steady ride, around 25C and no breeze. 41mi/66km. Cycling the backroads of Norfolk is such a privilege. Stops for sausage roll and ice lolly may have dented the calorie deficit, however…

Visited daughter in Manchester for the weekend. And yes, took the mandatory photo.

Oh, the new Brompton in TdF colours❤️

Charity ride earlier today around RAF Marham, Norfolk, UK. Windy and rainy, but still cool to cycle along the runway and taxiways of an operational RAF base

Ooh, the excellent Quiet by Susan Cain is on Kindle UK for 99p at the moment. A brilliant, revelatory book. https://amzn.eu/d/2nYs5Yu

Prep for long ride, found huge gash in rear. Maybe caused by minor slide (caught it, stayed up) on loose road crud last ride. Swapped out for a part-worn, but now thinking Hutchinson Challengers don’t have the strongest sidewalls. Any suggestions for replacement? Mainly ride on poor quality roads.

Bike commute recce for a potential job. 1hr 14mins, avg speed 12.3mph/19.9kmh, various urban slow-downs (traffic lights, etc.) Thinking of an e-bike for slightly shorter journey time and to ease a few hills. Not sure if the place has showers, etc. I have bus options, so maybe a folder?

Great earworm today, 42 years old & still sounds ace. The Style Council, 'Money-Go-Round' youtu.be/z4hRUEq1-qY?...