I built my pedal powered dinghy for several reasons. Firstly I just wondered if I could build a boat that floated and moved along in the water in a useful way. Last year I enjoyed the fabrication and engineering involved in the build and I also hoped the boat would be an alternative form ofContinue reading “Finding a use for my boat.”
Category Archives: boat
Canal Cruising.
Due to unpredictable weather and various commitments over the Platinum Jubilee weekend I haven’t exercised for 5 days. I’ve been keen to sail my pedal powered dinghy for quite a while and I finally managed it today. I’d hoped to sail for longer than my usual trip which takes 47 minutes most of the timeContinue reading “Canal Cruising.”
Another boat trip.
Last October I was satisfied with my homemade pedal powered dinghy. The pedal action had been too hard and slow so I’d added a gear system to make the pedals turn more quickly like a bicycle and all seemed well. Unfortunately on my trip before last the chain had derailled. I’d put it back onContinue reading “Another boat trip.”
Bike, Hike, Boat.
The title describes my last 3 days of activity beginning with a fairly long and certainly energetic mountain bike ride. Yesterday I returned to part of the area where I’d ridden not 24 hours previously to walk our dog, Freddie. Mountain biking is never far from my mind, though, and we walked down a fantasticContinue reading “Bike, Hike, Boat.”
Sailing to Shirley Animal.
Strange title? I sailed my pedal powered dinghy today and headed north on the 127 mile long Leeds/Liverpool canal to just beyond the place pictured above. The time worn graffito reads “Shirley Animal” and the spot is referenced in the names of segments in the athletics app. Strava in various different activity types, though canoeingContinue reading “Sailing to Shirley Animal.”
Boating in the sunshine.
Unlike mountain biking, which can be enjoyable in a variety of weather and trail conditions, I’ve found that using my homemade pedal powered boat is far better in good weather. Today was perfect with cloudless skies and temperatures as high as 16 Celcius or 61 Fahrenheit. I waited until the afternoon to take the boatContinue reading “Boating in the sunshine.”
My first boat trip of the year.
Today started with a frost but by the time I’d walked the dog it was starting to warm up, though the breeze was picking up as well. I built my self designed pedal powered boat last year and had my first sail in March. I think I tried to make the boat too complicated byContinue reading “My first boat trip of the year.”
I made a really good decision.
Last year I built and developed a pedal powered boat and having not used it since October I’m now keen to get on the water again. I’ve found that when using the boat, unlike when mountain biking, it’s much more enjoyable if the weather is warm and sunny. As well as the obvious dangers ofContinue reading “I made a really good decision.”
Is it spring?
The modern interpretation is that spring begins on the first of March though the spring equinox around the 21st is a more traditional view. In my garden things are certainly starting to happen with the snowdrops almost finished with their life cycle. The Helibores are in full bloom and many early plants such as camassiaContinue reading “Is it spring?”
Riding without climbing.
A couple of days ago I had a strange experience. I lifted my arm gently to reach for a pan on the stove and felt a sharp pain in my back. I’ve never had back problems and I couldn’t tell, and in fact still don’t know, if the pain was emanating from my spine orContinue reading “Riding without climbing.”
Mountainbiker 