iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

Dark from now until the icey nights of doom return (which might be a year or N at the way the temps are running)...

Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

looks like the satnav got it almost spot on - slotting in another 6km of loveliness would have rounded it out wonderfully

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Ooh, good moorland knowledge, spot on. I'm only visiting, but it was just east of Strines past the first hairpin. Still bamboozled the fire units as they tried to reverse up the tracks - lots of folks in full fire gear scratching their heads on how to get close enough...

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

As in ploughed or mown areas to contain the fire, although not sure they help with peat fires...

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Yeah, checked a general Internet search and an AI search, no evidence of controlled burns for a long while. The fire brigade turned up on mass this evening, 2 units and 3-4 unmarked police cars - I think that might have been related to the strong winds that built up today. No evidence of breaks...

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Fab walk along Derwent Edge today after the early mist cleared to blue skies - 100% Goretex free (shoes, socks and coat) Two surprises - Ladybower res is really, really empty 🏜️ - there is a peat fire on the moors - we first saw this as we drove in last Friday 🔥 ...and this is in mid-October 😬😱😭

A stava screenshot of a 13km walk through the Dark Peak - virtually no features on the map at all, just a green background - because this is remote moorland

a photo looking north east along Derwent Edge in the Peak District - the bracken is autumnal brown, but the grass and trees are very green. Blue skies with the odd whispy cloud

Looking west from Derwent edge over the northern section of Ladybower reservoir. the norther most 500-1000m of reservoir is empty with brown sides where the water normally is. It has been empty for so long that grass is starting to grow and show the higher sections of the reservoir base turning green

Looking south east from Derwent edge over Bradfield and Broomhead moors - the bracken and heather is completely brown, but there is a black section with smoke billowing from the edges. The wind is strong and blowing the smoke along the floor for hundreds of metres

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Love it that professional drivers can get out of motorway services on bikes, and then get back in later. I have a hard enough time getting out in my car...

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

erm - "to the detriment of 99.99999% of us" please! I've not checked the maths (I'm UK, it's maths, not math), just thrown in a reasonable number of 9s after the decimal point, because I'm pretty sure there are an awful lot less than 1% of the world's population who are wealthy parasites...

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The 4th photo shows where Yorkshire water have been adding more and more depth measuring posts down the dam as the res has receded - there are 5 and they've given up adding them now. Really empty, and they only declared drought in recent days - bonkers, this won't recover in months if not years 😱

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Had a fab start to a week in the Peaks - 3rd ride in 5 weeks today, tested on NCN 627 over Wharncliffe Woods 🚵‍♂️😬 and then along NCN 67 on my Brompton under insanely clear skies, then a ramble up Cut Gate path while the conditions were best - no breeze, sunny spells 😍

A cup of coffee on a picnic bench in a courtyard in a regenerated victorian industrial site. The sky is blue and totally cloud free.

A cup of coffee on a picnic bench in a cafe garden. The cafe is in the background and is painted in the style of the tour de france polka dot jersey with a whie background and red dots.

A section of Cut Gate path over the Dark Peak. The stony path snakes off up the hill with a steep but shallow valley to the right. the valley bottom is green and luscious, the path is assorted autumnal heather colours - brown, purple, yellow and green

a medium size reservoir that is maybe 20% full. The banks are bare, showing the stony terraces used to prevent erosion from lapping wind waves. The sky is mixed clear blue and fluffy clouds. The sun is behind the reservoir, and a light breeze means that the water that is in there is totally calm and reflecting the sky

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Ohno Kept an Instagram account to follow folks that inspired me, inc many riders. Tonight the cat shit posts took over my feed. I have no idea how to stop this travesty. Bring back riding posts, please 🙏 (On evil Instagram)

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Yep. Did it in the mid 90s on a steel hardball from halfords. Magnificent ride, but I was quite tired when I got to Cardiff Bay 🚵‍♀️

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

4 weeks ago at 5:20pm I got knocked off my bike. I was super lucky to only have some road rash, bumps and bruises and a massive hematoma. A few setbacks in recovery, but I managed to get out for a ride before the 4 week anniversary 🙏 I missed the riding, I definitely did not miss the motorists...

A strava screenshot of a 22km ride with 200m of ascent in mid Hertfordshire. Title is shuttles on the ayot greenway, car free loveliness

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I've fond memories of @bobbyllew.bsky.social in Red Dwarf, and I wasn't sure what to expect when substack suggested I follow him. I shouldn't have worried, he's brilliant. Helps I'm in tune with his opinions, but he's a great read as well - check him out llewellyn.substack.com/p/dug-up-or-...

llewellyn.substack.com

Dug up or Grown.

That’s everything you’ve ever touched

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

That's a great thing from there, but I'm not sure it is the _best_ thing from there...

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Celebrating a solid day of autumn garden jobs completed today in my shorts and t-shirt drinking a G&T in the garden at 7pm in late September. Super still and often quiet with only the odd car passing. This would only be topped if I was on my bike right now, but gin seems more appropriate...

A medium size glass half full of a clear liquid held up to the sky looking west. Camera focused on the glass, so rhe skyline of trees is slightly blurred. Sky is almost clear with the odd line if ice crystals reflecting the setting sun. Sky is 60 percent blue and fading across to oranges and yellows on the horizon.

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Got a taxi back from the station tonight cos of train fucktastrophe meant we missed the last bus. Got home, taxi asked for cash only, I said card only, wifey volunteered some cash from the bottom of her bag. I was willing to walk away as we were home...

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

...and an update on being knocked off my bike the night before hols, grazes clearing up fine, but no beach, riding, watersports possible 😭 Back to urgent care as the swelling on my thigh is still there - slowly getting smaller, but there is a risk of a "capsule" forming when it has been this long😡

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Week in Cornwall last week - managed to get through the week in shorts and Tee all week 🕺 Got back to Herts last night just after 9pm - it was 21C, which is higher than we had all week in Cornwall 🙃 Solar did well though...

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

A4 😵‍💫 Glad you made it back alive!

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I'm in Cornwall this week - I'd recommend you avoid the entire county as you'll spend all your waking hours posting shocking moments like this. Must say though, I'm super impressed at how the locals and surf community manage to drive and park pick-ups and vans full of surf gear wonderfully 🤔😶😬

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

my speedrockers fit fine with my giant rack on my giant bike - I have to cable tie the guards to the rack otherwise they brraapp against it on rough ground or even rough roads - some bar tape on the rack helps with keeping the noise close to 0dB. This is more of a faff if big tyres are in the way...

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Midweek on our hols and I've come to terms with no watersports or riding after I was knocked off as abrasion recovery is slow. Strava had taunted me since then with "This was easier than your usual effort" on my daily walks. Today I got a "This was consistent with your usual efforts". Progress 📈

A strava screenshot of a 14 km out and back walk along the north cornish coast, including 812m of ascent. The title of the walk is "bimble along the coast path to perranporth for lunch"

A clifftop view above an eroded cove, several parts of the cliffs have calved off and fallen into the sea leaving sheer cliffs and debris in the water below

A view across perran beach from just outside perranporth. the beach is about 4km long and there are large waves breaking along its length

Red wine and aperol spritz on a table on a verenda above the breaking waves at Trevaunance Cove

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Fabulous - but I can't believe you seem to be riding without mudguards - please checkout the SKS Speedrocker guards, a massive faff to fit cos they adjust in 9 dimensions, but when you get them right they are super effective as well as being nice and light. (unpaid tip - I just think they are great)

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Grrr, yes it rained a bit last night, but this has become normalised by the water companies. There was no obvious discharge in progress at 1030am to our untrained eyes, and all the run outs through the beach were clear and no froth or anything. Wonder if the notice was default "just in case needed"?

A chalk board on a slipway onto a north Cornwall beach saying "advice, south west water discharge notice for 10am today". The beach is looking clean after the tide has gone out, there are white waves crashing onto the shore under blue skies with the odd fluffy cloud

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I know it is one of the most water resistant bikes you can get, and I know I'm happy to ride it in the rain, through puddles and even in rivers. But intentionally leaving it outside overnight in the rain doesn't sit well with me.

A mountain bike locked to a pillar on a decking next to a rattan sofa and a hot tub. skies are cloudy and it has been raining with puddles in sight and beads of water on the bike

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Just watching the beginning scenes of butch cassidy and the sundance kid Hehe Sounds like modrern us politics (intentionally lower case) Hehe, maybe they watched it a while ago and thought it was just fine...

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Suspect I won't be enjoying the hot tub, nor body boarding or paddle boarding, but brought all the kit anyway just in case 🤞 Walking is fine and fun, and there is plenty of that. Fingers crossed I get some riding in too 🚵‍♂️ Relaxed with drinks over looking the cove on arrival 🍸🍸🍸🍸 3/3

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Sleeping was a right faff - all the usual stuff you'd expect from grazes, plus hitting the floor has aggravated a pinched nerve I have in my shoulder - that seems to be getting better today, but I don't remember in my sleep so roll on it quite a lot - ouch 2/3

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Got checked out + xrays at urgent care last night and sent home with advice on how to clean my grazes. Drove to Cornwall today with plenty of discomfort in the car for 5 hours. Reassured that an hours walk to break the journey and the swelling receded and wounds felt fine. 1/3

A cropped strava screenshot showing a 420m walk - the map wasn't very helpful, but it was from a holiday rental down to the beach bar at Trevaunance Cove, st Agnes Cornwall

a mountain bike locked to a pillar in the middle of a decking with a rattan setee behind it, a glass balustrade and hot tub next to it

Trevaunance Cove - there are lots of surfers enjoying the waves as the tide comes in under clear blue skies and light winds

two gin and tonics in tall glasses on a picnic bench in a beer garden

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Probably got away without it being worse as I was going pretty quick for me (30kph) and I very nearly cleared the car, but meant my skin had to slow me down when I hit the road 😬 Bike seems OK as well. First time I've ever been knocked off, somehow... 2/2

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Lovely ride, until I got knocked off (I'm OK, just some road rash and bruises). Driver didn't see me coming despite a clear view, pulled out across a cross roads and clipped my rear wheel. 1/2

A strava screenshot of a 46km bike ride through mid hertfordshire in 2 hours 17 minutes

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Someone needs to start a "where's cycling drivers truck" account, just like "where's Elon's plane", where the world can track CDs vehicle around the world based on his bike rides. Mercedes might or might not sponsor it seeing as how much time it spends in the garage 😬 Oh, he's done it already 😜

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Thanks you - great thread! Especially as everyone near endurance needs to be aware and help where they can - awareness is key!

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

...two other neighbouring houses have babies + pushchairs 😡😡😡 Several children scoot/ride up and down the pavements in the close 😡😡😡 (to the driver, I'm fine with the kids having fun on scooters/bikes in my road!)

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Sigh, WGC and Welwyn have great local byelaws that outlaw parking on verges due to the spirit of a "garden city". Fines are rare AFAIK, and I didn't report the clown who parked here, only because they very nearly didn't park on the verge 🙃 Next door has a disabled person with a walking frame 😡😡😡😡😡

a residential road, with a grass verge between the road and the pavement - part of the Welwyn Garden City influence of green spaces where people can walk wherever they want to go

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Hmm - the new river out of Enfield is usually very pleasant, esp as it is traffic free. But today it doesn't look like a river anymore, or anything wet (apart from the weeds being green). The authorities are trying to help by pumping water for some flow, but I wonder when it will smell really bad?

The "New River" - medieval water course from north of London taking fresh water to central London - amazing feat of engineering, still a bit canal like. This shows a very straight section in Enfield that is usually clear and slow moving where the weeds and algae have totally covered the water with some plumes 20-30cm above the water. It looks like a green road.

a before photo of new river walk with the water totally clear of weeds/algae and also looking very clear

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I'd thoroughly recommend the Wayfarer if you have a day spare, only a short distance from Chirk - wonderful history, great ride, doable on hybrid/gravel with a few short sections of pushing on football sized rocks. Needs good weather to avoid getting really serious exposure!!! (ie near death stuff).

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Just caught up with the MTB CX worlds on iPlayer - great ride by all the riders, but totally blown away by the crowds - huge, noisy, insane! I was in Morzine about 8 years ago, and the French national DH was going on - that was pretty special, but not a patch on today's spectacle! 🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵🚵

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

(I've just worn my lightest bib tights on a ride for the first time post summer heat - not cos I was going to be cold, but I didn't want to get me covered in road crud after today's rain around here - bib tights can wait for the hosepipe ban to be cleaned off in the garden, and yes, I overheated).

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I have no idea why this just came to me cos I haven't watched a Queen gig for a while now, but what came first - bib tights, or Freddie's harlequin cossie? I thought it would be fun to ask bsky what they thought rather some AI drivel... Might be something @carltonreid.com has in his archives?

Freddie Mercury in an iconic 1970s tour photo with a skin tight spandex outfit, full arms and legs, but his chest is exposed full width and down to hit belly button. He's also wearing ballet shoes.

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Always gonna be two races - Pogi against the clock and everyone else racing each other. Just one race to follow now... I'm still willing him on to do the triple soon!

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Not sure the last time I watched a film right through in one go, let alone went to an actual cinema - about to watch Odyssey 😮. Was a bit worried I'd be missing a rule # 9 ride as well, but it isn't raining hard at all, so all's good

Inside an old school cinema, screen not too big, plenty of space, great view

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

First time out for a daytime midweek coffee since the heat hit a couple of months ago - forgot how many roads are closed during the day 🤷 Anyway, more time on the bike it is then, cos I'm not taking motor diversions around closures, I'm taking safe riding diversions of my choice 🚴🚴🚴

A strava screenshot of a 51km ride in 2 hours 30 minutes around mid Hertfordshire - assorted points where the route doubled back on itself negotiating road closures

A coffee on a picnic bench in a courtyard outside a farm coffee shop, under blue skies with some fluffy clouds

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Everyone's been enjoying the rain in various measures today, well everyone apart from me. We had some drizzle this morning, and now I'm surrounded by thunder claps, the dog is stressed as anything, and the sun is out where I am. Worst bit - my best riding routes are NE and NW to avoid big towns 🤷😭⚡🌧️

stormy skies to the west - a small amount of blue sky to the left, the sun poking around a huge thunder cloud, and dark stormy clouds covering 80% of the sky. It is so dark and thundery that the tree line in the photo is black and thee are no details showing in the trees.

A rain radar screenshot showing multiple heavy thunder showers passing through with gaps between moving north of london through the home counties and up into cambridgeshire. My location is shown by a pin that is exactly in the middle of the dry section between two big shower masses

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

😬 I rode past where this happened at 7am on Tuesday, 90 minutes earlier. I ride that way quite a lot. I ride that way as it is a wide road with plenty of space for bikes and general traffic, and it is 30mph. I'll ride that way again soon, and will stop and reflect. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Cyclist dies after Potters Bar collision with a coach

A man is released on bail after his arrest on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.

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Ackers on a bike/hike @malcolmackland.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Read, enjoyed, subscribed - failed to get you over the 3k hurdle - sorry! But maybe I helped... (as an aside, I pride myself on never having heard Musk speak - it is getting harder to avoid, but I will try my utmost to keep this streak going).

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