Hardwick Hall to Hubey - Monday 3rd September

Last night we stayed in a pub off route. It is the only night on the trip when I can’t ride in and away from the place we were staying, so a late start today.

I had the idea of going to and over the Humber Bridge, but based on the estimate of 115 miles for the day if I did, I decided to use the next highest crossing point available to me at Goole.

Denise went to get fuel for the car and me in the shape of iced buns, and left me going the other way arranging to meet for morning mobile café stop near Clumber Park. It was flat(er), I had a tail wind, Denise went into the delivery entrance of Tesco. I got to the meeting point first and invited her to chase me, and a chase commenced. I got stopped by a level crossing, Denise bound up with lorries on the A1, I road through the road closure having talked to the very nice men who were resurfacing the road, Denise went round. I got to the next meeting point arranged by text and decided that I wanted a bun so sat on a bench waited. She had given up with that meeting point and was looking for the next, and saw me sat waiting. Buns and pleasantries were shared.

As part of this chase I had crossed the A1. Normally no bother on bridge, but this time I was with them on a roundabout. I’m glad I had some acceleration, and was bright orange, though when I got to the other side of this 6 legged circle I found the cycle route that went the other side to me. It is all very well having this cycling route, but there is nothing like signposting it is there?

After the A1 the landscape changed, still the same arable, the world is brown and at times dusty as the combines work away, but now flat. I rode up the side of the river Trent. I think it was tidal, judging by the levees on its bank. I couldn’t see it. I did go onto the highest bridging point and was surprised to see proper ocean going boats. The roads became quiter, good surface, nice strong cross tail wind, until I turned 90 to the west into a cross head. Not normally an issue as you can get in close to a hedge to break the wind. There are no hedges here.

My Humber Bridge

Upriver on the Humber

Goole docks were a surprise mix of small ships and run down docks. Odd to actually see ships in there such was the state of the place, but the town seemed busy. Onward and over the bridge, picking up a services of B roads towards York, back with the cross tail, I started to re enter an almost trance like state, look at the road 15 feet ahead, turn the pedals, the rhythm just seems to take over, the road was straight and lightly trafficked.

York was another matter. Cycle paths yes, but it would be there and gone, did it go behind that bush, up that side street, which side of the road is it on? I crossed though a gate in the city wall and soon found myself dodging shoppers, suits and office workers on their way home. I trundled, they parted in front of me. All was well.

Found the B road to leave, got in behind a bus who went through two red lights, as did a couple of cars. None of the cyclists I saw did.

The B road was straight, fast and heavily trafficked in the rush hour for about 4 miles. Then there was a cross roads and they seemed to melt away, leaving me and the B road to ourselves to the hotel and a sit down on something I don’t have to pedal

Orleton - Hardwick Hall - Sunday 2nd September

I slept well, and woke at the normal time. Full breakfast, can I have the works please, and straight on the road.

I was still tired, I could feel it in my eyes, but the first gentle downhill stretch cleared that, especially as I looked over to the right and saw the first and highest climb of the day. Turn right and start the climb up to Clee Hill. It is one of those long pernicious ones, just as you think it might give up, it is still there round the corner. The impression is not helped by it being two lanes, one each way, all the way to the top. I was going slowly enough to have a chat with a farmer, who told me I will heve earnt my breakfast by the time I got to the top, I agreed along with lunch and tea. Fortunatley this climb this soon after breakfast was not disturbing said breakfast.

The view back

There was a great view from the top, looking back from where I had come, and I road across the common on the top shouting at sheep to “STAY THERE” before a 40mph plus descent. Still having got to the top and feeling fine, I concluded I would get to the end of the day.

The day continued with an up and down theme. Rolling, but proper rolling, good long dragging ups and downs, not the short sharp stuff I prefer. There was really no change in scenery to report, other than Cannock Chase. Here there was trees and a good patch of heather, which was on anther 40mph downhill, so no stopping for a photo.

I did stop at a mountain biking place, off road trails, café, big car park etc. I rode in to curious looks on my skinny wheels. Ice cream and “can you fill my water bottle please” Sat in the sun eating my ice cream waiting to be asked where I had come from and wehre I was going, but sadly let down.

I did notice a change as I got into Derbyshire with stone walls starting to replace hedges. Odd how quickly it happens. I was thinking this as I came across a cow looking over one of the walls. We had a chat about this and that, and I took her photo.

80 miles in seems to be about the time when I begin to feel the ride, my body says it has had enough now, but some extra food and water along with easing back for a bit seems to help. This break point is either going to get further out or come earlier, and either could happen

Finally I saw a sign for Hardwick Hall, my destination. Denise had been at the house there for the afternoon, and as I had done the 100+ miles I text her and asked if she could meet me at the bottom of the mostly uphill 3 mile drive. She did, for which I thank her.

 

Home to Orleton - Saturday 1st September

 

 

 

 

As I write this I am tired. It is 8.15pm and I would like to go to bed to sleep.

 

The day started easy enough. It was quite odd leaving home just after 8.30am and riding out on the same old roads, but in the knowledge that I wasn’t coming home today, or for the next week. A nice cross tail wind pushed me on over the flat of the levels, and to the Mendips.

 

I had decided to take the Sustrans cycle route option, so part way up the first rise onto the Mendips I pulled off left onto the disued railway line now a cycle cum walking route the Strawberry Line. In reality it is mostley used for dog walking, and as it was Saturday morming there was a few of those to negitate my way past. After turning off the road there is a light rise up the valley and tehn a short tunnel. I concentrated on the pools of reflected light in the water and watched them closer. There are raised reflectors in the floor, just a single line of them, but you need a torch to light them up. I didn’t, it was dark, I hit them one after another. I couldn’t do that if I tried.

The surface of the path is generally good, no tarmac, but a hard consolidated surface with grit on top. Not at Congresbuey though, where you slide 400 yards on mud and puddles. I meet a family coming the other way here. Father at the front, guiding the young daughter on the bike. Mother behind with the trailer, full of young child. Why do they do that? He should have the trailer. I told her she should have a medal, I heard him ask what I had said, and a triumphant reply as she shouted “I should have a medal!”

 

After Yatton it was on the road, and I realised quite how heavy and slow the cycle track had been and for the same energy how much faster I was for the same effort. New roads now, and up the Gordano valley. This was odd. I knew the motorway was high up above me, I could hear it, but only quietly. Then it was there, above me, the elevated section on concrete legs, houses tucked close under. Quite surreal.

 

 

Onward, crossing the main road by the Gordano motorway services, but I was in control. Pressing that singel button, changing the lights red, and I was safely across, and onto a now redundant section of road and the hill down to Pill. The hill was a great descent, so much so that I missed the turn, and deciding not to go back up I tracked round to the River Avon and was rewarded by my mistake with a view of the Avonmouth bridge carrying the motorway over the river. I was going up there. Through some uninspiring housing estates and onto a path, a quick dodge of a runner and some dog walkers and there I was, going against the flow of the south bound traffic, riding a track which I have only seen I moped rider on. Ambition for the day ticked off.

 

 

The sustrans route continues through green areas to the back of housing, the GPS convinced that I was on the road, finally I restarted its tracking and it was back with me, Turning left to go over the motorway for the 5^th and 6^th time in the day I was on my way to Avonmouth and the industrial joy that I recall from 20+ years ago. The sutrans route through picks its way through, yes there are the back of buidlings and car parks, but the path is wide, and there is a river, only marred by some fly tipping, This was really quite nice. Picking up the road, I stayed on my cycle path and then back through reclaimed land around an incinerator. It was really quite pleasant.

 

In Severn Beach I was caught up by another cyclist, he was turning back to Bath. The only rider to catch me all day. That said I only caught two others, one who promptly turned off! I saw loads of cyclists going the other way though, mostly men, and loads of runners, mostly women. It seems to be a pattern.

 

Then it was onto the old Severn Bridge. I stopped half way across: my it bounces, and not just when a car/lorry goes past.

 

Chepstow, and the second cyclist to be caught climbing up from the river. My does it go up, steep and then seemingly forever. I must say after this it all is something of a blur. The hours ticked by quickly. I don’t get bored on my own, not on new roads. There is too much to do, mind that car, which way next, was that a place to stop to take a picture, how long is this hill, saying hello to cows, sheep, telling dogs to shut up.

 

Still Leominster came and went and it was 6 miles to go, no more turns on the sat nav, and as I came to the B&B Denise was outside realdy with camera and a sleeping dog. I was pleased it was over. The first half was flat traffic free but heavy going, the second hilly and with cars. Still at least the wind was with me.

 

Tomorrow is another day, and I am off to bed. Recovery is what I need.

I'm off again!

So here we are once more, you may have come across this blog through one on the links out there on various websites, or, and most likely, the fact that I sent you a link inviting you to have a look to see what madcap plan I have embarked on again.

The plan is made and the time is nigh. Actually this is plan B. Plan A was to ride up the west coast of Scotland, Gretna to Cape Wrath, round all the crinkly bits. Lovely yes, but potentially very wet and windy for a week, and Denise would be sat there in the car waiting for me with two dogs and the mother-in-lawn with not much else to do but breath in the smell of two wet dogs whilst wiping condensation from the windows. This plan will need to be revisited in the form of staying in a cottage with bike and going out on a bike ride for a couple of days.

 

Plan B then came into operation. I am going to cycle to Scotland whilst Denise and entourage follow, drive on ahead and wait at National Trust type places. They have somewhere warm to wait for me, and can mist up the car with cups of tea and stuff.

 

It isn’t really that far to Scotland, or Pirlochry in fact, so the route is a somewhat of a wiggle up the country. The challenge is to ride 100miles or more daily for 8 days, so I will in fact be cycling the equivalent of Land’s End to John O’Groats, but cutting out the hilly bit of Cornwall and Devon, and going somewhere different. I will be cutting across the SEWN up ride a couple of time and plan to stay in the same B&Bs twice. Mostly though it is totally new roads, and one day that may well be epic (for epic read painful) in the northern Pennines.

 

Yes, I feel grossly unprepared, but I’ll be fine once I get into the rhythm of 7 to 8 hour days of cycling, or grinding it out as it is likely to become.

 

There is no intention to take any money off of anyone this time, but will be accompanied again by a bee, who may well feature on the pics. As some car drivers are not that kind to cyclists, and L E Bee will be riding shot gun in the car, with me on the bike will be his dangerous cousin, Hepatitis B.

 

So Saturday morning the flag will drop and I will wander off up the back lane, join me sometime Saturday evening (wifi permitting) to see how the day went, and where I’ve been.

 

Thank you.

 

Greg

Hello 2012

Well hello, I’ve been away from a while - not much to say really, just ticking over. The second half of last year was just a few Audax’s and a plan for 2012. I enjoyed my All SEWN up ride, and in discussion, somewhat to my surprise did Denise as she drove around as support and general source of encouragement. I imagined that she would be bored waiting for me, but it seems that I forgot the 100 miles can take 3 hrs or so to drive off main roads, and by the time you have lunch, shop for food and walk the dog, the day goes quickly.

So a plan was hatched to go the Gretna and cycle up the west coast of Scotland in 7 days. This is feasible, and lovely scenery given the weather. Ah the weather, Scotland is not known for heady days of sun, blues skies and calm winds, and rarely all at once. Also Denise was more likely to have to sit and wait in the rain, albeit in the car, with a wet cold dog.

So an amended plan is hatched, and remains the current plan, to cycle from home to Scotland for a week, and then stay for a week in a cottage. The challenge is to do a minimum of 100 miles a day, for 8 days. Now it is ‘only’ 860 for the end to end going direct, so there is going to have to be a bit of winding my way north. But what route? Well I tend to like to cycle to something, so the basic plan is to work the National Trust membership hard and ride between NT properties, giving me a target and Denise somewhere to park the car, walk the dog and have a tea shop to hand. I do also fancy riding over the Humber Bridge (and why not), into the North York Moors National Park, and of course into the Yorkshire Dales, whilst remembering riding into the Dales coincided with my worst day on the SEWN up ride.

This plan hatched lead to a prolonged period off the bike due to that viral cough thing that seemed to do the rounds this winter. It hung on for weeks, I felt better, did a short ride, cough came back and turned into a mild chest infection. So antibiotics and more time off the bike. So overall I am around 500miles behind last years mileage at this time. Still I have only this ride in September and the Dartmoor Classic to prepare for this year.

So I continue to steadily build back up to backing up 4 hrs rides. On the way to this has been the Dunkery Dash on the 11^th of March which remains hilly, but with better weather this year. Finished in the first 15 of 106 riders on the day so pleased with that.

Last weekend was the Exmoor Spring Colours from Porlock. We started up the toll road which turns out to be about 6 miles of up, followed by a bit of flat some steep down and another almightily up. The theme tuned in we carried on up and down. Sarah and I were in the front 10, but at the second stop food became necessary, so we stopped for a sandwich, oh alright, a mighty wedge of bread with home made fish fingers. We lost 20 mins but only maybe 6 places and rode on. My body decided that it had not recovered and had not sorted out my blood suger levels. Sarah was riding strongly and lead the 4 other males riders off up the steady gradient of the river valley from Dulveton to Dunster. I couldn’t hold the pace and let go and rode at my own pace. I rode the last 25 miles on my own, to my surprise I wasn’t caught up riders from behind, and Sarah told me I was only 5 mins behind them in front. That said she had drunk her tea and eaten the cream scones before I got back. I was happy with my place and overall time of 4hrs for 65 miles & 4700 miles of climbing. I had doubted my ability to finish at about 20 miles to go, but persuaded myself to keep going and the slower pace helped.

Next audax is the Merry Monk which is another 65 miler. This time it is a ride out and back job too, so it should be about 95 miles on the day. The food after this audax is legend, last year I ate cake and then had crumble and custard. I am very much looking forward to more crumble.