Last year at this time I was often working in the shed building the bicycle camper. We had a mild winter with only a few frosty mornings so working conditions were good.
This year we are having a very long “cold snap” with fog and frosts, temperature down to -3 / -4°C overnight and days climbing to 10-12C max. There has even been an electrical storm c/w hail (see above) which caused a power cut for a few hours.
Of course these conditions would not be a worry if you live in a lot of countries but this is Australia. Our houses are built for warmer climes, many (like ours) don’t have double glazing and our house and hot water heat pumps tend to freeze up when the outside temps are frosty. Then they run their ‘stop and defrost’ cycle before producing a bit more heat – before icing up again. Plus the hot water pipes freeze up when the temperature drops below -2°C. So limited heating is available, it’s jumpers and beanie wear and, in the mornings, boiling hot water in the kettle for a wash.
Could be worse though. A friend who lived in Scotland back in the 1970’s had an outside dunny which froze over regularly. That was awkward.
This year age is catching up and I have been reacting badly to the cold – arthritis playing up – so I haven’t continued to ride as in previous years using layers of clothing and heat pads in the gloves to keep warm. In fact there has been little riding for a few weeks with all this weather coming up from Antarctica.
But – there is a new 3 wheeler in the Shed
We decided to have another shot at riding together once winter is over. Sue had a Gazelle e-bike some years ago and enjoyed our rides but fell off rather too many times, so it was sold before major injury occurred.
A tricycle will be a lot harder to fall off, so we are told.
At the shop Sue pedalled off around the carpark with no problems to much encouragement from the sales person, so the purchase was made. Then I had a go and ran into all sorts of problems. I take heart from the fact this is not unusual for someone with years of two wheel cycling experience as many YouTube videos explain! It takes a little while for the brain and instinctive reactions to correctly handle a dive to the left or to the right or even going straight on instead of turning. The brakes go on, the feet go down and get ridden into by the back wheels. In fact I recall doing exactly the same things when I visited the shop a few years back when Ken was buying his tricycle.
Sue’s tricycle has 7 gears and a front wheel motor. She chose the 20” wheel model as the 24” seemed a bit too bouncy or flexible, thus unstable, to her. There is a 26” wheel model too but that wasn’t even tested.
After a couple of rides it is apparent that it will take Sue a little while for gear and power level selection to become second nature – but she travels in a straight line and handles corners really well !! Unlike me !!!
I did finally get the hang of it during the first week and was able to check that all power levels and all gears are working. Then there was a cold weather time gap before my next ride. This occurred yesterday with a trip to the shops and I was once again riding badly – as if I had never “got it”. Whack the forehead -Simpson-like “dooh”- tricycles don’t lean so don’t body steer, steer with the handlebars.
However – this “old dog” will learn the new trick. Eventually.
I had a short recumbent trike ride one morning. Down to the churchyard for some foggy pictures and on to the shops for beer.
We are looking forward to some warmer weather but, that’s it for now as the weather forecast is predicting lots more of the cold days. Oh Joy.
’til next time ………………….
Tony's Tasmanian Cycling Blog 
I love the new trike! Glad Mrs C had the hang of it first go. Funny that the two-wheel muscle memory creates so many issues when trying to transition to the trike – particularly since you ride a recumbent version. Not something I would have even considered, until I too was slapping my forehead citing Simpsons’ words.
Sorry that the big high pressure systems are giving you poor weather. We’ve had consistently ‘cold’ mornings (which I get the full brunt of going to the gym 4X a week at 5.30am), but nothing below -2. My place has NO insulation, so it’s a bit like living in a tent with solid walls. HOWEVER, we’ve had almost NO fog so far this winter and the days have warmed up to 14-16 on many days. It’s been the best winter I can remember since 2006! We went for a good bushwalk today. Wish I could send you down some of the warmer air… but I suppose the physics of such wouldn’t cooperate with a high pressure system.
Stay warm and I hope you get some better days that are conducive to joint movement and being able to do something besides trying to stay warm. Can’t wait for you and Mrs C to get in some rides!
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So excited for Mrs C and the trike! Glad she got the hang of it straight away, but funny your two-wheel muscle memory gave you issues. That’s not something I would have thought to consider.
Sorry the high pressure systems are giving you so much grief. The high pressure systems are giving us 0 to -2C starts (which I bear the brunt of going to the gym 4X a week at 5.30am), but the days are just perfect. We’ve had very little fog, too. It’s the best winter since 2006 – just gorgeous for days at a time. May and June were fantastic too.
Hope the weather gives you something more conducive to joint movement and doing stuff besides trying to stay warm soon! Can’t wait for you and Mrs C to take off on some rides together soon! All the best and warm wishes from a bit warmer mainland.
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Thanks Emily. You’re having your best winter where we are having our coldest for at least 5 years! -5C this morning = no hot water again and warmest jumpers on this morning. It sounds like this High will move away in the next few days and we might even get some rain – needed to replenish our hydro dams.
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