Local Landscape

Exploring the local neighbourhood on my bike as much as I can these last few weeks. Just up the hill from the house there are an abundance of farm lanes and gravel paths.

Shelburne Farms

A ‘stay at home’ re-edit of the Farm Barn at Shelburne Farms on a wonderful October morning, 2017.

Workstation

Updated my workstation with a 3dconnexion Space Mouse Enterprise… muscle memory is a hell of a thing to overcome – but slowly but surely I’ll get there.

iMac Retina 5k 27″ with 64gb RAM and Radeon Pro 580x, CadMouse and SpaceMouse Enterprise for when I’m modelling… SketchUp on the screen with a project that was designed a few years ago.

The IF atop Hirzel Höhi

More ‘stay at home’ Covid-19 riding. I’m lucky to live with such a beautiful greater neighbourhood to play in. The IF recently had to have its front SON dynohub replaced, and is sporting some Clement 32 MSOs (under fenders) for the local mix of roads – pavement, crushed gravel, forest roads, and some mild single track. The PDW fenders and tires clear nicely under the Paul Racer Medium brakes. My original eDeluxe is still working – but I’m feeling it might not be as bright as the more recent models. I’m awaiting for the return of my Ruthworks front brevet bag (stitching failure)… so I’m making use of a Revelate Designs feedbag for my phone and small camera.

Morning Light

Staying at home I’ve been making a point of getting out every day or two on the bike for a ride in the local neighbourhood. The view from the local high point can be quite lovely as the light filters through the sky and the distant mountains play hide and seek.

Krampus

The Krampus has been in hibernation for over a year – prepping to move, waiting for our container, sorting out damage to our goods by the shipper (including the Krampus…), and just settling into life in Switzerland… but the current ‘stay at home’ situation has opened up some free time in the early mornings – and with my work evaporating over the last few weeks I dusted off the bike and started riding again.

At first I kept it in single speed mode… but have since changed over to the long distance gravel / mountain touring setup. Rohloff Speedhub 14 rear, Shimano dynamo front with Exposure Revo and Redeye. Revelate bags, Jones bars, Paul Klampers and levers… took its maiden voyage in this configuration this past week – all uphill to nearby Hirzel Höhi – a high spot with benches and a great view of the mountains.

I sipped some coffee and enjoyed the morning, before the almost entirely downhill run back home.