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Category Archive:
Rides
“Over-preparation is the foe of inspiration” – Napoleon Bonaparte
Out on the bike yesterday for some much needed last-minute fitness training. 20 miles into the ride, I suddenly realise that I haven’t got ANY tools with me whatsoever. No tyre levers, no multi-tool, no inner-tube or patches – not even my pump! It’s been a very busy period recently, but to head out on a ride without any kit is inexcusable.
I decide that it’s a bloody long walk home if I puncture, and so head back home fairly sharpish. The excuse to head home early is actually quite welcome as it’s not much fun at all out in the bitterly cold and windy conditions.
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Canterbury to Stoke Ride
4 days of beautiful weather, quiet lanes, gorgeous villages and fantastic hospitality to boot. A full account of a very enjoyable ride to follow shortly.
Please have a look at the photos in the meantime:
Canterbury to Stoke ride – starting 7th April 2011
Day 1
Estimated distance: 70 miles
Points of interest: Lenham Historic Village, Eynsford Castle, Greenwich, Canary Wharf, London Olympic Site, Lea Valley.
Day 2
Estimated distance: 54 miles
Points of interest: Lea Valley White Water Centre (2011 Olympic venue), Knebworth House, Cardington Airship Hangars.
Day 3
Estimated distance: 82 miles
Points of interest: Cowper & Newton Museum, National Waterways Museum, Leamington Spa, Warwick Castle, Selfridges Building (New Bullring), Gas Street Canal Basin.
Day 4
Estimated distance: 45 miles
Points of interest: Barr Beacon, Cannock Chase, Shugborough Hall, Wedgewood Visitor Centre, London Road Oatcake shop.
“Single to Stoke please, with a bike reservation if possible”, “Certainly sir, that’ll be £1,233.67 and 50p for the bike”
It’s looking like March will be one of the driest months on record (in the UK). Buoyed by the good cycling weather and with typical English optimism / hubris / stupidity, have recently planned to have my very own ‘micro-adventure’ starting next week, when I’ll attempt to cycle from Canterbury to Stoke-on-Trent.
Obviously, the wettest April since Noah decided to open a floating branch of Longleat is forecast…
I had originally promised myself that when the winter months were slowly receding into memory, that I would head out on a short but sweet tour of the famous breweries of Belgium. A few too many debauched nights on the ‘Leffe’ had convinced me of the neccessity to undertake such a trip.
However, I recently found out that my passport had expired -and so the booze cruise of Belgium will have to wait until my shiny new biometric, 1984, thought crime, tracking device/passport arrives.
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“It takes a long time to become young” – Pablo Picasso
Well, I’m impressed. Hugely impressed. At 35 years old, I was the youngest member of a truly lovely bunch of 19 ladies and gents who turned out in full force for the 75th Anniversary ride this week. A 75 mile ride along the canals and through the lanes of Staffordshire and Cheshire; I’d half expected the distance to be too much and for the pace to have slowed considerably as the day progressed and the tea-breaks got longer.
But these Golden Oldies are made of much mightier stuff, and the peleton moved swiftly and purposefully all day, despite some poor weather and minor mechanical issues.
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“If I grew up on a farm, and was retarded*, Bruges might impress me but I didn’t, so it doesn’t.”
Well unlike the quote from Ray (* The most politically incorrect character of all time) in the film ‘In Bruges’, I didn’t grow up on a farm either, but Bruges did impress me. A very beautiful, tranquil place with several fantastic restaurants and bars. The ride from Kent to Bruges was 79.94 miles long and had me arriving just before dark into the centre of Bruges. A very tough ride due to a strong headwind and my lack of fitness!
I cycled along bike paths next to canals, and also near to the coast for large sections of the ride but these were surprisingly quite dull to cycle along. The flat, featureless and windswept roads have reinforced my love of biking in the mountains. In the mountains, all the effort you put in is rewarded with at least two priceless things: Potential energy and fantastic views! There are no free miles on the flat, and the wind will take and take, and give nothing back in return.
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