Ackers on a bike/hike
@malcolmackland.bsky.social
Cyclist/hiker - I'm here to inspire and to be inspired, just keep riding/hiking
The place I live in semi-rural Herts (I call it a village, but there are 3000 or so folks living here, so it might not be) has gone onto stage N consultation for 20mph on all roads with houses on them - fab, bring it on.
Shame that we are a few years behind all the other local villages though...
Shame that we are a few years behind all the other local villages though...
November 17, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The place I live in semi-rural Herts (I call it a village, but there are 3000 or so folks living here, so it might not be) has gone onto stage N consultation for 20mph on all roads with houses on them - fab, bring it on.
Shame that we are a few years behind all the other local villages though...
Shame that we are a few years behind all the other local villages though...
Sigh - went out for a walk earlier. There is a cutting between me and the village centre for cars passing through, and I prefer to take the bridge instead of gambling with the traffic.
Didn't have a choice today 😠
Presumably stolen/joy riders, but it still isn't OK.
And how long before it is removed
Didn't have a choice today 😠
Presumably stolen/joy riders, but it still isn't OK.
And how long before it is removed
November 14, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Sigh - went out for a walk earlier. There is a cutting between me and the village centre for cars passing through, and I prefer to take the bridge instead of gambling with the traffic.
Didn't have a choice today 😠
Presumably stolen/joy riders, but it still isn't OK.
And how long before it is removed
Didn't have a choice today 😠
Presumably stolen/joy riders, but it still isn't OK.
And how long before it is removed
Storm Claudia has arrived - we're missing the worst of it, but it is still having a big impact on our solar system.
I suspect the 50W generation at noon today is a rounding up thing, and 0.3 kwh so far to day means we are on track for a record low over the last 2 winters - previous minimum was 1kwh
I suspect the 50W generation at noon today is a rounding up thing, and 0.3 kwh so far to day means we are on track for a record low over the last 2 winters - previous minimum was 1kwh
November 14, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Storm Claudia has arrived - we're missing the worst of it, but it is still having a big impact on our solar system.
I suspect the 50W generation at noon today is a rounding up thing, and 0.3 kwh so far to day means we are on track for a record low over the last 2 winters - previous minimum was 1kwh
I suspect the 50W generation at noon today is a rounding up thing, and 0.3 kwh so far to day means we are on track for a record low over the last 2 winters - previous minimum was 1kwh
Second week of November in the home counties, we've left the thermostat at a coolish 18C in our detached house - looks like the heating has come on a couple of times this month, and even then only for a short time.
Bonkers 🤷♂️🤦♂️🤷♂️😱🙃😬📈
Bonkers 🤷♂️🤦♂️🤷♂️😱🙃😬📈
November 10, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Second week of November in the home counties, we've left the thermostat at a coolish 18C in our detached house - looks like the heating has come on a couple of times this month, and even then only for a short time.
Bonkers 🤷♂️🤦♂️🤷♂️😱🙃😬📈
Bonkers 🤷♂️🤦♂️🤷♂️😱🙃😬📈
Must clean my bikes soon, it's only been 18 months since the last rinse down after all...
November 8, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Must clean my bikes soon, it's only been 18 months since the last rinse down after all...
After the success of my North Wales coast ride a couple of weeks ago the same conditions were present in the south east last weekend - strong westerly winds, a few showers and lots of sunshine - so had to go for a ride with a 40km tailwind.
Fabulous day out on NCN paths
Fabulous day out on NCN paths
November 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
After the success of my North Wales coast ride a couple of weeks ago the same conditions were present in the south east last weekend - strong westerly winds, a few showers and lots of sunshine - so had to go for a ride with a 40km tailwind.
Fabulous day out on NCN paths
Fabulous day out on NCN paths
Why has @martinlewis.moneysavingexpert.com stopped posting on bluesky
November 4, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Why has @martinlewis.moneysavingexpert.com stopped posting on bluesky
Sat in my shorts and t-shirt in our living room, my wife with only 2 layers on. The heating has not come on today.
It was 17C in Herts today, average 10C.
Plants in the garden think it is spring 😱
Follow @extremetemps.bsky.social for more trauma.
It is happening and it is awful!
It was 17C in Herts today, average 10C.
Plants in the garden think it is spring 😱
Follow @extremetemps.bsky.social for more trauma.
It is happening and it is awful!
November 4, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Sat in my shorts and t-shirt in our living room, my wife with only 2 layers on. The heating has not come on today.
It was 17C in Herts today, average 10C.
Plants in the garden think it is spring 😱
Follow @extremetemps.bsky.social for more trauma.
It is happening and it is awful!
It was 17C in Herts today, average 10C.
Plants in the garden think it is spring 😱
Follow @extremetemps.bsky.social for more trauma.
It is happening and it is awful!
Oh come on Sustrans and Kent Council.
Really, how am I meant to get my bike and me through this device - MTB bars with aero bars.
Didn't think I'd manage it, but involved the weird rotation thing from Xmas cracker puzzles, not just the bike but me as well...
Really, how am I meant to get my bike and me through this device - MTB bars with aero bars.
Didn't think I'd manage it, but involved the weird rotation thing from Xmas cracker puzzles, not just the bike but me as well...
November 2, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Oh come on Sustrans and Kent Council.
Really, how am I meant to get my bike and me through this device - MTB bars with aero bars.
Didn't think I'd manage it, but involved the weird rotation thing from Xmas cracker puzzles, not just the bike but me as well...
Really, how am I meant to get my bike and me through this device - MTB bars with aero bars.
Didn't think I'd manage it, but involved the weird rotation thing from Xmas cracker puzzles, not just the bike but me as well...
Context is everything
What a great idea for a map: the blue areas are closer to space than to the sea.
brilliantmaps.com/sea-vs-sapce/
brilliantmaps.com/sea-vs-sapce/
October 31, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Context is everything
Went for a quick ride late afternoon, with sunset half way through my ride - turned a bit more exciting than I really wanted - seems gambling with the rush hour around dusk is not a good plan - and the most dangerous drivers were the ones that gave me as much room as possible!
1/3
1/3
October 31, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Went for a quick ride late afternoon, with sunset half way through my ride - turned a bit more exciting than I really wanted - seems gambling with the rush hour around dusk is not a good plan - and the most dangerous drivers were the ones that gave me as much room as possible!
1/3
1/3
Sunset-tastic in Hertfordshire this evening
October 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Sunset-tastic in Hertfordshire this evening
<rant>
I've used youtube music for plenty of years now.
I uploaded all my CDs to my "library" - it took several days...
Very recently (within the last few weeks) the quality of the playback has change from CD quality to less than AM radio.
Methinks they are trying to make me pay for the privilege...
I've used youtube music for plenty of years now.
I uploaded all my CDs to my "library" - it took several days...
Very recently (within the last few weeks) the quality of the playback has change from CD quality to less than AM radio.
Methinks they are trying to make me pay for the privilege...
October 21, 2025 at 7:35 PM
<rant>
I've used youtube music for plenty of years now.
I uploaded all my CDs to my "library" - it took several days...
Very recently (within the last few weeks) the quality of the playback has change from CD quality to less than AM radio.
Methinks they are trying to make me pay for the privilege...
I've used youtube music for plenty of years now.
I uploaded all my CDs to my "library" - it took several days...
Very recently (within the last few weeks) the quality of the playback has change from CD quality to less than AM radio.
Methinks they are trying to make me pay for the privilege...
I've been on hols in NE Wales for 4 days, and have 4 days to go.
I has been pretty wet and windy, as is the norm for a mountainous area to the west of the UK.
But the metoffice and BBC are banging on about a named storm to hit the south east soon.
I'm prepared, are folks still surprised autumn is...
I has been pretty wet and windy, as is the norm for a mountainous area to the west of the UK.
But the metoffice and BBC are banging on about a named storm to hit the south east soon.
I'm prepared, are folks still surprised autumn is...
October 21, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I've been on hols in NE Wales for 4 days, and have 4 days to go.
I has been pretty wet and windy, as is the norm for a mountainous area to the west of the UK.
But the metoffice and BBC are banging on about a named storm to hit the south east soon.
I'm prepared, are folks still surprised autumn is...
I has been pretty wet and windy, as is the norm for a mountainous area to the west of the UK.
But the metoffice and BBC are banging on about a named storm to hit the south east soon.
I'm prepared, are folks still surprised autumn is...
Great coast trundle today, despite the showers - 71km traffic free!
17mph headwind on the way out, 25mph tailwind on the way back - oh yeah!
It was quite weird seeing my destination from the start when it was 40km away, and then have is disappear and reappear as the showers passed through...
17mph headwind on the way out, 25mph tailwind on the way back - oh yeah!
It was quite weird seeing my destination from the start when it was 40km away, and then have is disappear and reappear as the showers passed through...
October 21, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Great coast trundle today, despite the showers - 71km traffic free!
17mph headwind on the way out, 25mph tailwind on the way back - oh yeah!
It was quite weird seeing my destination from the start when it was 40km away, and then have is disappear and reappear as the showers passed through...
17mph headwind on the way out, 25mph tailwind on the way back - oh yeah!
It was quite weird seeing my destination from the start when it was 40km away, and then have is disappear and reappear as the showers passed through...
Big day on the bike planned for tomorrow (for me, esp with carrying crap).
Off into the loneliness of North Wales for a week, walking/hiking has gone great for a few days, now to test the bike legs.
Obv pretty tame, but can I bat out 80km with almost no altitude gain on NCN5.
Of course I can 😁
Off into the loneliness of North Wales for a week, walking/hiking has gone great for a few days, now to test the bike legs.
Obv pretty tame, but can I bat out 80km with almost no altitude gain on NCN5.
Of course I can 😁
October 20, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Big day on the bike planned for tomorrow (for me, esp with carrying crap).
Off into the loneliness of North Wales for a week, walking/hiking has gone great for a few days, now to test the bike legs.
Obv pretty tame, but can I bat out 80km with almost no altitude gain on NCN5.
Of course I can 😁
Off into the loneliness of North Wales for a week, walking/hiking has gone great for a few days, now to test the bike legs.
Obv pretty tame, but can I bat out 80km with almost no altitude gain on NCN5.
Of course I can 😁
I don't have any plans to go back to the USA (from the UK) on a personal level, but I might have to go there on business on behalf of my employer.
I find myself pausing before liking posts, and quite often thinking about business travel first.
That feels wrong!
I find myself pausing before liking posts, and quite often thinking about business travel first.
That feels wrong!
October 19, 2025 at 9:19 PM
I don't have any plans to go back to the USA (from the UK) on a personal level, but I might have to go there on business on behalf of my employer.
I find myself pausing before liking posts, and quite often thinking about business travel first.
That feels wrong!
I find myself pausing before liking posts, and quite often thinking about business travel first.
That feels wrong!
Grumpy old man grumpfest...
Sit down in front of TV for monday night quiz night on BBC2, that has been on for nearly every Monday for years, and NONE of it is on - replaced with NI football 😠
Come on BBC (not on bluesky) - you have loads of channels, why do you have to cancel stuff?
Sit down in front of TV for monday night quiz night on BBC2, that has been on for nearly every Monday for years, and NONE of it is on - replaced with NI football 😠
Come on BBC (not on bluesky) - you have loads of channels, why do you have to cancel stuff?
October 13, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Grumpy old man grumpfest...
Sit down in front of TV for monday night quiz night on BBC2, that has been on for nearly every Monday for years, and NONE of it is on - replaced with NI football 😠
Come on BBC (not on bluesky) - you have loads of channels, why do you have to cancel stuff?
Sit down in front of TV for monday night quiz night on BBC2, that has been on for nearly every Monday for years, and NONE of it is on - replaced with NI football 😠
Come on BBC (not on bluesky) - you have loads of channels, why do you have to cancel stuff?
A great start, even for a seasoned layman like me!
If you have a passing interest in psychology and things like motonormativity, then do take a look - but do make sure to check out the pre-post for context..
If you have a passing interest in psychology and things like motonormativity, then do take a look - but do make sure to check out the pre-post for context..
First newsletter published! simple.ghost.io/what-seems-t...
If you like this sort of thing, sign up for more
If you like this sort of thing, sign up for more
What Seems to be the Problem?
Can we make any progress on transport while we don't recognise there's a problem to be solved and can't recognise solutions?
simple.ghost.io
October 13, 2025 at 6:21 PM
A great start, even for a seasoned layman like me!
If you have a passing interest in psychology and things like motonormativity, then do take a look - but do make sure to check out the pre-post for context..
If you have a passing interest in psychology and things like motonormativity, then do take a look - but do make sure to check out the pre-post for context..
When will the internet avoid spoilers?
Had 3 today - all innocuous, but told me stuff I'd wanted to learn about later.
Surely it is quite easy (I'm in telecoms tech, and it feels easy to do there), and I'd be willing to pay a couple of quid a month to avoid things.
1 billion people @£2 pm = $$$$ 🙏🙏🙏
Had 3 today - all innocuous, but told me stuff I'd wanted to learn about later.
Surely it is quite easy (I'm in telecoms tech, and it feels easy to do there), and I'd be willing to pay a couple of quid a month to avoid things.
1 billion people @£2 pm = $$$$ 🙏🙏🙏
October 11, 2025 at 7:01 PM
When will the internet avoid spoilers?
Had 3 today - all innocuous, but told me stuff I'd wanted to learn about later.
Surely it is quite easy (I'm in telecoms tech, and it feels easy to do there), and I'd be willing to pay a couple of quid a month to avoid things.
1 billion people @£2 pm = $$$$ 🙏🙏🙏
Had 3 today - all innocuous, but told me stuff I'd wanted to learn about later.
Surely it is quite easy (I'm in telecoms tech, and it feels easy to do there), and I'd be willing to pay a couple of quid a month to avoid things.
1 billion people @£2 pm = $$$$ 🙏🙏🙏
I was doing some gardening, but have been distracted by the looming sunset that is building up to be a good one, plus temps are really balmy, so I've poured a G&T and put the cricket on BBC sounds instead of doing what I'm meant to be doing...
October 11, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I was doing some gardening, but have been distracted by the looming sunset that is building up to be a good one, plus temps are really balmy, so I've poured a G&T and put the cricket on BBC sounds instead of doing what I'm meant to be doing...
Autumn rocking it in Hertfordshire- so good for riding and hiking on the super dry trails
October 8, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Autumn rocking it in Hertfordshire- so good for riding and hiking on the super dry trails
October sunsets are just great
October 5, 2025 at 6:14 PM
October sunsets are just great
Sigh!
Pah!
Actually - bugger!
Just finished my re-focus first year of at least an hour of tracked exercise a day - hurrah - and grand plans to increase the intensity with a lot more riding than hiking in year 2.
But, had a bit of a cold this week.
1/3
Pah!
Actually - bugger!
Just finished my re-focus first year of at least an hour of tracked exercise a day - hurrah - and grand plans to increase the intensity with a lot more riding than hiking in year 2.
But, had a bit of a cold this week.
1/3
October 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Sigh!
Pah!
Actually - bugger!
Just finished my re-focus first year of at least an hour of tracked exercise a day - hurrah - and grand plans to increase the intensity with a lot more riding than hiking in year 2.
But, had a bit of a cold this week.
1/3
Pah!
Actually - bugger!
Just finished my re-focus first year of at least an hour of tracked exercise a day - hurrah - and grand plans to increase the intensity with a lot more riding than hiking in year 2.
But, had a bit of a cold this week.
1/3
55km rambling up and down the south Dorset/Devon coastline on the weekend.
Definitely topped up my tan a fair bit
1/2
Definitely topped up my tan a fair bit
1/2
September 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM
55km rambling up and down the south Dorset/Devon coastline on the weekend.
Definitely topped up my tan a fair bit
1/2
Definitely topped up my tan a fair bit
1/2