I've not posted for a couple of days as I've not been feeling quite right. I thought I could push through it, but I'm not 20 years old any more. This morning felt like I shouldn't, but I did. Foolish.
I had a positive LF test this morning and, understandably, got sent home. I didn't ride back as I couldn't face it (so I must be ill). Honestly, I really don't know how I managed to get there this morning.
I've been tucked up in bed since about 3pm. I feel pretty awful. Whether it's the real deal I'll find out tomorrow.
The tunnel under the tracks at Mexborough in the rain from Tuesday.
I decided to try a different ride today, to Perry Woods, a local nature reserve. There's a ten mile loop to be done around the woods but I know it mainly as the place many of the kids go to practice jumps on their Carreras. It was 15°C but with a chilly, blustery wind. The Stumpy was tempting me but I took the Ridgeback instead: it's been my commuter for the last six weeks or so and it's a real pleasure to ride. Ridgebacks of the mid-nineties don't get much love, perhaps because most were targeted at the lower end of the market; perhaps because, like Dawes, the brand wasn't considered cool, but this 705RS, although it was never going to set the world alight, is a cracking little bike. Quite stiff, responsive, nippy, comfortable.
Anyway, the ride to Perry Woods, took me through the little village of Chartham, the quaintly named but, today, windswept Old Wives Lees, and lastly, due to a wrong turn, Shottenden. Most of the orchards have now been picked but there was some hop picking going on. It's real Garden of England territory.
However, I had to stop several times to study the map and, even then, took a wrong turn. It was all taking longer than I hoped. Nevertheless, I reached one of Perry Woods' car parks and sat down to munch a cookie and figure out where I should be going to follow the 10 mile loop.
I was hoping there would be a friendly sign saying something like, 'Cycle loop this way', along with an arrow to follow, but was there? Hell, no! Instead, there were some stern warning signs saying, in effect, 'Don't ride on anything here that doesn't explicitly say you can ride on it'. Further study of the map revealed that the start of the trail was just continuing down the country lane I'd turned off to stop at the car park. So, I rode along that for a while, noticed no more signs and decided I really couldn't be bothered to do a ten mile loop, stopping every mile or so to study the map even more. Lunch and mowing the lawn started to seem very appealing. I decided to head for home but via a slightly different route, taking in the village of Chilham.
The centre of Chilham is a market square with pubs, a tea room, a church, and Chilham Castle at one end. It's picturesque but the market square is used as a car park and black Range Rovers kind of detract from the medieval vibe. Some wooden dudes in Chilham village centre—not too cheerful-looking. Perhaps it's the Range Rovers . . .
Chilham Castle—usually, I see this in the distance, from Catha's Seat, on my way to Wye, on the other side of the valley.
Leaving the Perry Woods loop was the right call for today. Lunch was good.
Really warm today, despite what it looked like out the window. Warm breeze which was welcome, along with a short shower.
Slightly longer ride out today than of late, ended up going around a wood or two, some trails were really overgrown and unrideable, while others were starting to get their leaf cover.
I didn't notice what the temperature was today, but it was sunny with a strong, cold wind. Not a bad day for riding but heading straight into the wind sapped away the momentum. Feeling a bit rundown as it is, I didn't want to overdo it today, but I also felt like covering a bit of distance too, so I took the road bike: more distance for less effort. And that's its appeal. But I enjoy riding the mountain bikes more. I liked the idea of riding on the hoods of a road bike but I don't find it especially comfortable in practice. At least I know not to get a drop bar gravel bike now. Perhaps a flat bar road/gravel bike is the way forward.
Anyway, today's ride took me to Cox Hill, not far from Dover. There isn't much to see there. It's farmland but the peace is broken by the drone of the race track that is the A2: rustic but with a hint of roar. The top of the rise on the left of the photo is the junction to join the A2.
Heading back, I stopped at the sight of this magnificent beast.
I stopped for a drink at the little church at Barfrestone, though the church inspired less of a sense of the wonders of the Almighty than the fellow above, then I headed back to what passes for civilisation.
It was a peaceful ride, a beautiful day, and it felt good for mind, body and soul. Having read this thread—RIP Captaincowelly—and having known others that have suffered, I feel lucky to enjoy days like today.
I was given the "lost lanes North" book for my birthday and was going to try the route around over salter fell in bowland. However the weather was awful so we headed south into the peak District for a pootle around Eyam.
I was given the "lost lanes North" book for my birthday and was going to try the route around over salter fell in bowland. However the weather was awful so we headed south into the peak District for a pootle around Eyam.
