60 flat kilometers today along the river. I didn’t ride much in the last weeks. Now back to short-time working again due to covid and our incapable government.
I’ve changed tires on my bad weather bike from WTB Byway 40 to Conti Terraspeed 40. A little wider and more volume. Lower pressure, more comfort and they also feel faster. Cream sidewalls are not exactly my cup tea, but you can’t have everything.
A Sunday ride out to an old tip, some 15 minutes away from my place, which has grown wild since it was abandoned. A good place to get into some leisurely xc riding; And to find a nice spot in the sun, get some peace and quiet, and read a book.
'Saturday night's alright for fighting' but Sunday afternoon is even better for riding. (Sorry Elton.)
Not quite shorts and T-shirt weather but it was noticeably warmer today. It's still windy but without the chilly bite of the last week or two.
Stacks of apple bins, waiting for autumn and pickers. All the surrounding orchards are full of dwarf trees these days - not a single full size apple tree to be seen.
Fields of gold:
28 miles through farmland and villages: bucolic, beautiful, and blissful. And respite from dementia-tainted conversations that circle around and around over the same old ground like a mongrel version of eternal recurrence.
The commute providing respite from the busy-ness of the weekend. Bought another bike last Thursday, another Stumpjumper. Swapped a few parts at the weekend in preparation for this morning - pedals, stem and seat. My endeavours lasted 5 minutes. Got up the road and the seatpost slid back into the frame. Not to worry, pull up and whip the tools out....Ah, I remember why I forgot to finish this job now. The bolt was spinning and I'm unable to tighten it. Only able to shift through 4 gears too, dammit. Turn around, go home and swap bikes.
Take two, and I'm now running late. The ride in is now a 7.5 mile dash. I manage to break the speed limit and hold off a couple of cars down the hill at Rawmarsh. The highlight of the ride being the Kingfisher that flashed past as I rode along the river bank behind Mexborough Station.
Nice and cool. No breeze, about 6 or so degrees.
I take the long way home. This time deciding to cross more of the Wentworth Fitzwilliam Estate. I suppose it's like Chatsworth but on a slightly (only slightly) smaller scale, and not quite as glamorous. There is no cycling allowed ANYWHERE on the estate. That's crap, and I won't be doing that again. So after charging down Greasbrough Hill the next couple of miles were much more sedate, a slow amble in cycling shoes: sounding like I'm bloody tap-dancing when the cleats hit the tarmac.
Through the estate and on to the TPT ncn 67, heading over to Elsecar. Through the heritage centre, following the old railway and Hemingfield Canal until I join up with NCN 62 near Wombwell.
The TPT was very busy this afternoon.
The rest of the ride was a charge for home. Good pace and the run through to Bolton on Dearne quieter. 18 miles.
Best day of the year so far. 16°c and sunny. I could have got away with shorts.
Can you read it? No, neither could I. So I left the footpath and walked across the grassland to go and read it.
First line says 'Keep to the footpath provided '.
Second line says 'No trespassing on the grassland'.
Only 5 miles to take parcels to the collection hub & it was on my converted Orange C16-R ebike but just 7 weeks post ankle replacement so I'll take it!
Bit of fatigue today. Took the 99. Quite like it, but need to make a couple of changes. Wider bars being one. Did we really used to ride 'em like that?
7 miles in - 6°c or thereabouts.
Almost 8 home - 15°c.
Totally different route home. Might try it in the morning as I've found an off road equivalent of Rawmarsh Hill. It's got wipeout written all over it.