In between working on yet more cars I’ve been back on the bike again this week for the Upper Thames Audax, but before I get onto that I need to say a big thank you.
As I got to the start of this week’s cycling fun I got accosted, in the nicest possible way, by a fellow cyclist by the name of Jeff (and please forgive me Jeff, but I never got your surname, or checked how you were spelling your first name, so if it’s wrong please accept my apologies). Now, there’s nothing unusual about stopping for a chat. Cyclists, or at least the ones I tend to mix with, are normally a friendly bunch. I’m guessing that because of the amount of time we spend lost in our own thoughts as we progress silently around the countryside when there is someone to talk too, we tend to grab the opportunity. But what was unusual in this instance, is that Jeff said, “I like your blog” which wrong-footed me and caught me totally by surprise. No one (apart from my mum) and especially not a complete stranger had ever said that before! Now, I know my readership isn’t massive, and I know that a lot of my activities (running and cycling) fall into a pretty niche group. There's not many people stupid enough to think that spending all day riding your bike in the rain is fun. So, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to know that fellow cyclists like reading about similar stupidity. But Jeff's kind words really bought a smile to my face. A smile that even the wet start to the day could do little to dissipate and as my day unfurled, those miles of peace and solitude gave me plenty of time to think about Jeff's words and what they really meant to me. Back in the mists of time when I started this little blog project, I really did it for myself. I’d never considered myself a writer, in fact my handwriting is barely legible (even I can’t read it) and it took me 2 attempts to scrape a pass at GCSE English when I left school. In fact, I'll happily admit that writing and school full stop for that matter, never came easily to me. But, back in 2016 when I was cycling round the country (Home, Lands End, John’O’Groats and back again), for some reason, as my trip progressed, I thought that I should be taking some notes about my adventure. I ended up with a couple of pages of random musings and idle thoughts, from my month on the road, and when I got home, I shared it with “The Old Cheese” (my Mum). Who, being my Mum, and probably remembering the barely literate idiot that had left home all those years ago, thought it was wonderful. And that was the end of my writing ambitions for a while. In fact, I don’t think I wrote anything else until I had a magical weekend away running and cycling in the Elan Valley, which bought back loads of memories from my younger years, and again tempted me to put pen to paper, or more accurately fingers to keyboard. A few more months passed and then I rode Windsor – Chester – Windsor in 2019 (I think) which again tempted me to put pen to paper in the form of a few notes and my thoughts on achieving, what at the time was my longest single ride, which I again shared with “The Old Cheese”. Obviously, “The Old Cheese” thought my random drivel was wonderful and sung my praises to anyone that would listen, and anyone that knew her would probably confirm that once she was in her stride you didn’t have much choice but listen. But her enjoyment of my ramblings, plus a deep-down feeling that maybe I should be keeping a diary of some sort, so I could look back on all these little adventures when I’m old and feeble (older and feebler), got me thinking. And so, after a bit of research, one wet August day, this little blog project was born. My initial thoughts were for the odd post, just to keep a few notes and pictures of my adventures, which I could look back at in the future. But, within a couple of posts “The old Cheese” was again singing my praises to all and sundry, and more importantly, she seemed to be getting as much from my writing as I soon found I was. Once I got into the swing of things, I started to find putting pen to paper quite therapeutic, helping to sort out those memories and record for posterity my thoughts on what are often busy weekends away. I’ll also confess that I’m not very good at talking about myself, in fact I’d go as far as to say I absolutely detest it. But putting my thoughts into writing, hidden behind screen and keyboard, seemed a lot easier, and knowing that “The Old Cheese” was enjoying the weekly updates and following along with my adventures, made the writing seem worthwhile and enjoyable. I managed to get through a year of weekly blog posts, and with it all being new and exciting, found that I had something different to talk about most weeks. But after that first year I seemed to be going over the same ground again and again, cycling, running, allotment, and spent quite a bit of time “umming and arring” over whether to continue or not. I mean a years worth of drivel is more than enough for anyone isn't it? At about the same time “The Old Cheese” wasn’t well, but she was still reading and was still singing my praises. So for her as much as me, I carried on, and strangely I found new things to talk about. Yes, it might have been the same ride as this time last year, but I still noticed different things, so there were different things to talk about. Yes, it might be spring on the allotment again, but it’s all slightly different to last year, so I kept on writing, and she kept on reading. By the time “The Old Cheese” passed away in June last year, there was more than just her following along with my adventures, but again I thought about calling it a day. At the end of the day, writing is time consuming (even more so when your only a 2 finger typist), and whilst I’d started this little project for me as much as anyone, knowing that she was getting a lot from it kept me plugging away at it. In fact, if it hadn’t been for her phoning me up mid-week on more than one occasion to find out why there wasn’t a blog post, I’d probably have given up ages ago. Something kept me going though. I’ve already mentioned that putting pen to paper is incredibly therapeutic, and looking back at the end of the year, or whenever, refreshes those memories of days away, overnight adventures, or the little highlights of life that I would probably otherwise forget about in the daily hustle and bustle of a busy life. There’s still lots of times when I think, “can I really be bothered with this” though. Sometimes, when I’ve got behind on a few weeks’ worth of adventures and posts, I think, “is it really worth trying to catch this up, or should I just call it a day now”? Over the months and years, the number of people following along and reading my drivel, has slowly crept up too. Numbers aren’t massive, but there are people who are taking the time to read what I’m writing, and for that I’m extremely grateful. But who are they? They’re obviously not my Mum anymore. “The Emma” never reads (“what’s the point I live with you” which I think equates to your boring) and I don’t think that “The Boy” can read (stand by for furious phone calls if it turns out he can). Which just leaves “The Old Man” and possibly “Kathryn Stinks” and “I forget I’ve got a Brother” (A.K.A my sisters) as readership. That annoying analytical thing that the website host thinks I’m interested in, (which I’m not), shows that there’s more than just 3 people out there reading though. Which is the whole point of the last 1250 words. Because it turns out that one of those people is Jeff, and Jeff taking the time to comment on my ramblings, not only bought a smile to my face (which is still there) but was actually incredibly inspiring. Knowing that other people are interested in my dull and boring life, makes the time taken to sit down, think of things to say and put pen to paper incredibly rewarding. As I’ve already mentioned, this started as a project for me, and at the end of the day, will always be a project for me. Something to look back at when I’m too old and tired to run anymore, or when my cycling days are bought to an end by some careless car driver (unfortunately realistically likely). It will hopefully be a reminder of a life lived to the full, something to awaken those long-forgotten memories of silly adventures, nights spent sleeping in hammocks under the stars, or waking up with my sleeping bag covered in frost. Memories of the miles covered with like minded adventurers, outstanding views from ridiculous runs, suffering, elation, the failures and the successes, and the hundreds of other highlights and feelings that I’ve recorded for posterity. But most importantly, it bought a smile and a little bit of enjoyment to “The Old Cheese” in her last days, and if I can continue to bring to odd smile to those of you that read along or inspire someone to take on their own project or adventure, no matter how small or large, then it’s all been worthwhile. So, Jeff, thank you, not only for your incredibly kind words Saturday morning, but for inspiring me too. You said yourself during our short conversation that you were setting off early as you were going to be getting full value from your days ride. But you set off in the drizzle, with a smile on your face, knowing full well that you were going to be in for a long, and probably wet day. When my younger legs allowed me to catch up with you on the long climb up to Christmas Common, you still had a smile on your face, greeted me with a cheery hello, and looked like you were having the time of your life. And if that’s not the inspiration anyone needs to get out there on their own adventures, then I don’t know what is. So, thank you and safe cycling!
Right, in case anyone’s still reading after that load of old waffle I suppose I’d better get on to what I’m actually supposed to be talking about.
As I mentioned last week and briefly referred to earlier, I’ve had “The Boy’s” car sat outside for a few days waiting for the opportunity to have a look at a few problems he’s been having and get it through the MOT (not that I'm any sort of car mechanic). Well, you’ll be pleased to know it failed it’s MOT quite spectacularly, to the point where the MOT garage suggested that it wasn’t worth saving and I’d be better off scrapping it. Which, fair play to them, at the price they quoted to fix it, it wasn’t! Luckily for “The Boy” though, I’m not that easily deterred and it’s actually quite a nice little car. “The Boy” has already spent quite a lot of money on getting a new cam belt fitted, generally maintaining it and getting it how he wants it, so I think it’s worth saving. Anyway, cutting a long story short, Sunday was spent dodging the heavy rain showers, and for the second time in as many weeks, replacing; both front Shock absorbers, both Wishbones, Drop links, Steering arms, and Bottom Ball Joints, front Brake Discs and Pads and the R/H Brake Caliper! All of which still came to significantly less that the garage had quoted for just the shocks and wishbones. Although to be fair to them, I don’t have to earn a wage, run a garage, employ someone to answer the phone, etc, so its hardly comparable, but does show the advantage of doing it your self if you can, even if you have to spend money on tools etc in the first place (I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned that I’ve got a bit of a tool fetish and you can’t ever have enough tools (often the bigger the better)). I think that the garage was a bit surprised to see it back again when I dropped it off on Tuesday morning for tracking and the MOT retest. But I can confirm that it passed with flying colours, and they were very complimentary about my workmanship (and the fact that I’d actually fixed it) which was nice. And, on an even more positive note, it handles a lot better now and it pleases me to know that not only is “The Boy” back on the road, but he’s got a nice little car, which I know is safe, properly maintained and should see him through another couple of years of happy motoring. All that remains is to get it back to him, which as he lives in Cardiff is easier to say than do, although I think we’ve got that one covered as I’m off to Wales next weekend for a long overdue catch up with some old friends, so I’m sure that we can work something out then.
Which brings us almost up to date again, apart from the small matter of what was the main event of the weekend, The Upper Thames 200km Audax. Another exciting little jaunt around some beautiful countryside along quiet country roads, taking in both the Cotswolds and the Chiltern hills and a crossing of the River Thames.
And what I ask you, is there not to like about that, apart from the weather forecast which was for heavy rain, getting heavier and windier as the day went on! As with last weeks ride, I’ve done this one a few times now, (2021, 2019, plus others) in fact it was the first Audax I ever rode, so it’s got a special place in my heart, along with many others it would seem, as it’s always got a good turnout. But, and it’s a big but, I don’t think that I’ve ever ridden it and not got soaking wet. It’s always raining at either the start, in the middle, or at the end, and it’s always windy on the way up to Chipping Norton too, which makes that uphill leg a real slog!
Luckily, considering the time of year its still not cold, so setting off at 07:30 into the morning drizzle, having already partaken in biscuits and a brew courtesy of the well organised organisers, wasn’t too much of a hardship. Jacket zipped up, leg warmers and winter boots on and off towards the steep climbs of the Chiltern hills and Henley-on-Thames.
Steady progress through the gloom and drizzle, saw me in Henley well ahead of the morning rush hour, avoiding the worst of the traffic that normally has the place in gridlock. Routing through Henley itself, is a recent change to an otherwise familiar route, avoiding the normal, stupidly steep and pot hole riddled descent from Bix. I’m not sure if this was an improvement or not though, as avoiding the steep descent bought the route onto the A4130 which in its own right seems to have a pretty awful road surface and some pretty busy traffic too. The long steady climb up to Christmas Common was dispatched without fanfare, followed shortly afterwards by the fast descent into Wallingford and then onwards to the first stop of the day at Waterperry gardens, where they were doing a roaring trade in late breakfasts. No breakfast stop for me today though, electing to push on whilst it wasn’t raining. A few flat, fast miles up to Bicester and then the long, slow, endless climb into the wind, to take us up in to the Cotswolds and Chipping Norton. I don’t think that I’ve ever done this climb and thought “that wasn’t too bad”, its always, “my god how much further can it be, surely I must be nearly there” and this year was no different. Eventually though, with tired legs, Chipping Norton and its pretty high street emerged through the murk and general dampness, and along with it the chance to dismount for a few minutes, have a stretch, grab a bite to eat and get my Brevet card stamped by the nice man, sat warm and snug in the café. Onwards, and the last of the big climbs are almost behind us, there’s just the stretch between Chipping Norton and Minster Lovell to get through then it’s all downhill, well flatter, back to the start. One final short pause in Charney Bassett to answer the question for the “Info Control” as proof of passage and then off into the growing darkness for the final stint to take us back to the start. With lights ablaze and the rain falling steadily, the final miles ticked down. Just one final short climb and there below us in the darkness is the lights of Cholsey. Safely back where I started from, 9 and a bit hours and 128 miles previously, with a warm welcome, a hot brew, a bowl of soup and a chunk of homemade cake, it doesn't get much better than that! As I said at the start. What’s not to like about that? Yes, the weather wasn’t brilliant, but it wasn’t that bad either, I only got wet a couple of times, and at the end of the day, if you don't accept getting wet as part of the deal in the UK, then you’d never do anything! Most importantly though, no matter how many times I do these rides, they’re different. You notice different things, the views are different due to the weather, you look up at different times and see things you’ve missed before, and you get to share a great day out with some like minded people, all of whom are having their own adventures and experiences. Yes, there’s nothing not to like about that!
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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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