First Frost

First frost of the winter. Just zero at 8am this morning. Car impressively iced up. Beautiful bright and sunny day. Great day to be out cycling.


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Just What the Doctor ordered

The days are shorter and the temperature cooler and may be there’s a bit more rain about than there was in August (just). But don’t be tempted to moth ball your bike until Spring as it could be the one thing that keeps you well this Winter.

Scientists at Appalachian State University have discovered that regular exercise, such as cycling, can help prevent you from catching a cold. And if you do catch one, if you regularly exercise then the symptoms are unlikely to be so severe.

Therefore, Dr Bike’s prescription this winter is:

• Look after your bike and your bike will look after you, wash it regularly, ensure the tyres are nice and hard, brakes are nice and sharp and there’s a little lubrication on your chain and gears
• Wrap up warm in cold weather with a cap under your helmet and a good winter collar around your neck
• Wear waterproof jackets and trousers
• Pull on a good pair of waterproof gloves and shoes

And get out there and ride! It will not only be fun but healthy too!

Dr bike at the library

Had a good afternoon running a roll-in surgery at this fab 60s library. Not lots of bikes but lots of issues and some good questions.

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A week in Aldington

We've spent the week in Aldington, a strip of a village about 5 miles south of Ashford. Very friendly, great views and always windy!
As well as the school, it's got a butcher, baker, post office store and a pub.
It's also got a rich history. Erasmus was the rector for a year, there was a busy smuggling gang, the village is about a mile from the church so I suspect the village moved away from the church during the plague and it's been home to Noel Coward, Ford Maddox Ford, Joseph Conrad and now Julian Clary and Paul O'Grady (not together!).
The grasshopper in the picture below was on the bike in the school bike shed. It rode on the bike until we stopped by some grass when it hopped off.






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Obsession

Is my obsession out of control!?



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Lunchtime ride

Bikes ready for a lunchtime ride for staff at Pluckley Primary School.

Pedal Power!