It's going to be a bit of a tale of two half's this week blog fans. A word heavy first half, followed by a picture heavy second bit. Something for every one so to speak, and at the end of the day who doesn't like looking at pictures? Which probably explains why the written word is sadly a rapidly decreasing means of communication, being replaced by You Tube and endless TV.
So what have I got to write about that's so important this week then? Well, following on from the last few weekends theme of “kicking the backside out of it”, Saturday saw more of the same, in the form of the London - Wales - London Audax. 400Km of Audax fun, from the outskirts of London, to the edge of Wales and back again. And yes, in case anyone's thinking London to Wales and back, that seems like a long way. I can confirm that your correct, it is a long way, 400Km or just over 250 miles to be precise!
With an even earlier start than usual, I'd taken the van up on Friday night and was ready and raring to go (ok, I was ready) for an 05:30 start, on what turned out to be a chilly morning. Breakfast scoffed, brew supped, bike loaded, Brevet card collected, GPS started, gloves, hat and extra layer donned in an attempt to stave of the chill dawn air, and away, heading West, away from the slowly rising sun.
And “boy oh boy” was it cold. The fields either side of the roads were coated in a thick frost which the low sun, still well hidden by the hills to the East, had yet to reach and in the shadows of the roadside trees, the temperature was barely above freezing. With the wind chill added in to the equation, it wasn't long before my fingers were starting to feel decidedly uncomfortable. Even with two pairs of gloves and regular shaking and slapping of hands to try and keep some circulation going, it wasn't helping. Despite the frozen fingers, it was a beautiful morning, clear sky's and the slowly rising sun highlighting the freshness of the countryside, which is just awakening from it's long winter slumber. Occasionally breaking out from the shadow of the trees onto open sections of road, the sun did it's best to add it's warmth to the day and help fight off the chill, which by now felt like it had penetrated into the very bones of my hands. Even if the sun didn't have the strength at this early hour to make things much warmer, just it's presence is enough, bringing a smile to my face and a much needed morale boost every time it's rays landed on my back. By the time I got to Kidlington and the first checkpoint of the day the sun had worked it's magic and my cold fingers were fast becoming a distant memory. A couple of Croissants, (well, I needed a receipt) as a second breakfast helped push the chill fully from my poor fingers, and it was with renewed vigour that I set off on the second leg, heading across the Cotswolds, destination Tweksbury for lunch. With the sun still shining, the Cotswolds were as majestical as ever, and with the extra effort of getting up all those hills thrown in it wasn't long before I was stopped shedding layers. Extra top off, then Leg Warmers, then hat and buff, and before long I was stopped again, swapping my thick Jacket for that extra top that I'd discarded earlier. In fact if it wasn't for the fact that I still had my winter boots on it could have been a cool summers day, beautiful! Steady progress through the morning saw me in Tweksbury, as planned, just before 12:00, with 90 miles in the bag. A bit of Quiche, a bag of crisps and a bottle of pop, sat in the sun outside a petrol station helped keep the hunger wolves at bay and provided the obligatory “proof of passage” receipt, and before long I was back at it. Next stop Chepstow. But first, the small matter of Symonds-Yat-Rock and the lung busting, narrow, single track road that takes you up from the river Wye up to the higher ground surrounding it. I'll happily admit that the 20% incline section beat me today and I ended up dismounting for a few meters and walking up the steepest bit. Not a problem though and with over 100 miles already in my legs, nothing to be ashamed of, plus the walk did wonders for stretching my leg muscles and giving my backside a rest. Walking's not going to get me to Chepstow though, and after the very steepest bit I was back in the saddle, spinning my legs in the little gears, to eventually reach the top and push on, through rolling countryside for a few miles, before the long descent which took me into Chepstow and our next control point. The Chepstow control was a godsend, with home made Lentil and Chorizo stew washed down with a brew and a slice of fruit cake proving just the ticket for revitalising a weary cyclist. Hunger sated (again) water bottles refilled, backlight batteries replaced, and saddle bag rearranged, moving the extra layers which had migrated to the bottom back to the top, ready for the cooler evening section and just before 16:00 I was on my way again. It's a long leg this next one at almost 100Km (60 miles), taking us across the Severn bridge back into England and onwards to Lambourn for the next control point, via another lung busting climb up to the Somerset Monument, before a flatter, faster section through Malmsbury, Royal Wooten Basset and Wroughton, where we cross and re-cross the M4 a number of times. In fact there's not a great deal to say about this leg, I paused for a biscuit and to admire the view back towards the Severn estuary from the Somerset Monument, and then it was just a case of getting comfortable and ticking off the miles into Lambourn, where beans on toast and another brew, provided an excellent second tea, early supper, extra snack, or whatever meal were now onto? The Lambourn control also provided the ideal opportunity to get ready for what would be the night section of todays ride. Arriving just after 20:00 it was dusk as I got there and by the time I left, less than 30 minutes later, we were well on then way towards darkness and with it the associated drop in temperature. Leg warmers back on, Hat, Buff, head torch attached to my helmet, fresh batteries in my extra back lights, high viz vest on and away we go again. I'm within 30 miles from home here, and the next section towards Henley is along familiar roads, not that that makes it any easier. There are a few stiff climbs to contend with between here and the finish, which always seem that bit harder in the dark. I suspect the fact that you can't see the top in the dark makes it harder to gauge the effort still required, although I'm sure that the fact that by now I've got coming up for 200 miles in my legs has nothing to do with it! Enclosed in the little bubble created by my lights, I push on through the dark, black countryside. The occasional deer and rabbit caught in the powerful light of my headlamp, waiting nervously to cross in front of me or behind as I pass my only companions, save those other riders, either just in front or behind, yet hidden by the dark, invisible and involved in their own struggles as the miles continue to mount. Owls call to their companions, farmhouse dogs bark their warnings, and life goes on behind closed curtains, as families sit watching TV or getting ready for bed, unaware of my passing outside. In fact it's not until Henley that I become aware that it's not as late as the darkness would have me believe. In Fact it's only just 23:30 as I roll into Henley in search of a cash machine, to provide a “proof of passage” receipt, and the streets are still filled with revellers, moving between pubs or heading home after their own nights out. People don't expect a cyclist at this time of the night, and I carefully weave my way through those whose road sense has been left in the pub and are more focused on making their way to the kebab shop, as I head back out of town and onto more open roads. This is the final leg now, and although the roads are quiet and wide with plenty of overtaking space, you still need to keep your wits about you and be aware of the car's approaching from behind, now's certainly not the time to relax your guard, that will come soon enough. With ears tuned for the sound of approaching cars, eyes on the road in front and tired legs, it's just a case of tapping out the last 20 or so miles. Follow the Thames Valley, through Medmenham and Marlow on flatter roads, then brace yourself for the long stiff climb up to Beconsfield, where yet more late night revellers queue for taxis and fast food. By which time it's all over bar the shouting, and one final ridiculously steep (or so it seems when the end is in sight) climb. And then Finally, the descent back into Chalfont St Peter and the welcoming glow of the community centre lights, where a warm welcome awaits. Priorities right, hand in my Brevet card, followed by a hot brew and delicious bowl of home made chilli, lovingly crafted by the organiser and his willing band of volunteers. Another couple of riders come in as I eat and we spend a few minutes swapping tales of the days adventure, before I call it a night and head back to the van, where I have another brew before crawling into bed, grateful yet again for not having to sit for another hour driving home before I can get my head down!
A few hours sleep and as the church clock opposite my little hideaway chimes 06:00 I'm awake again. I lay there for a while trying to get back to sleep, I've only been in bed for 3 hours but as is often the case after a big day out, my muscles are restless, I'm hungry and need a brew, so eventually I just give up and get up. There'll be plenty of time for sleeping when I'm dead.
As I head for home I take the chance to reflect on what I great day that was. 19 and a half hours on the road, for 255 miles, of which time I'd guess I was only off the bike for about an hour, is a pretty big day out, even by my standards. Reassuringly though, I felt pretty good all day, yes I was tired by the end, but I could have gone on if need be. Yes, my body was a touch stiff and I was tired on Sunday, but after an easy day cleaning the van, sorting out bikes and generally pottering around, followed by an early night, I was back on the allotment raring to go by Bank Holiday Monday.
So, as promised while we are here, I've had a few productive hours on the allotment this weekend too. Amongst other things I've finally got round to fitting some sheeting around the bottom of the fruit cage after slapping a good thick layer of preservative on the gravel boards at the base. When I refitted to top net the other day I noticed a lot of holes in the side wall net at the bottom.
I'm guessing that either the pesky squirrel that I see on occasion or some other critter has been making their way through the net on a regular basis and instead of using the same hole, insists on creating a new one every time. Hopefully a higher barrier around the bottom will put a stop to that little trick!
In other news, I've planted out the Sweet Peas and a tray of eating Peas which have been in the greenhouse and sowed Beetroot, Parsnip and Chard seeds, along with some more direct sown Peas. I do think that things are a bit behind this year though, with stuff in the greenhouse seeming to really struggle. I suppose that although it's been dry for the last few weeks, we've not really had much sun and it's not very warm for the time of year.
I'm sure it will all catch up though, it normally does, and anyway it gives me a bit more time to prep the ground and get things ready for planting out so I'm not complaining.
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Paul PerrattOld enough to know better, young enough to still feel invincible, stupid enough to keep on trying the same thing again and again. Cyclist, Gardener, Runner, Hiker, Cook, Woodworker, Engineer, Jack of all trades and master of none, Anti social old git and all round miserable bugger. Archives
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