2Loose
Guru
- Location
- Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Having picked up my new Defy 2 road bike just over a month ago, I decided to use it to cycle the 95 miles down south to see my relatives back in Cambridge last thursday.
Riding across country through via Melton Mowbray, Stamford and St.Ives, not only was I blessed to have such wonderful weather (hardly any wind, cool but not cold, wonderful sunshine) one thing really struck me. What a wonderful countryside we have in this country if people ever stray from the A or M roads long enough to see it.
Tiny immaculate villages, amazing views of green fields and amazing wildlife that gets silently passed by on your way. Lovely, friendly and patient people on route too. Sooo unlike urban Nottingham (Or Cambridge for that matter).
A few seat adjustments on the way (my normal ride is not long enough to get it spot on) and I arrived in Cambridge a bit saddle sore...a bit...very grateful that the latter 2 thirds of the journey had been getting less hilly as I tired on the way. A navigation error meant that I had clocked a 109 miles by the time I sat down for a coffee and a sarnie at my destination, which was 14 miles more than my 'master' planned route.
Three days later (after my bum and thighs had stopped hurting! - must get new saddle
) I decided to retry the 'hills' that had me walking up them as a young adult. 27 miles done, only to find that Cambridgeshire is mostly flat. Comparatively anyway. The Magog Hills, Long Road in Comberton, Castle Hill, Madingley Hill - all seemed very flat indeed and were done easily on the big ring with still tired legs. Much different to when I lived there and I consider myself much less fit than then and also 15 years older.
2 days later after a lovely break and a re-explore of the area I haunted in my much younger days, I set off on the return leg.
A slightly different route, but better planned. Or so I thought.
Of course, I had forgotten that it got increasingly hilly closer to home. I had also forgotten that tiny villages often did not have a shop to get a drink from. I cycled from just outside Peterborough to Melton with no water (via 8 villages!) and if there is one thing I can suggest to anyone cycling more than 50 miles - you will need a drink WHEN you need a drink. Not twenty miles afterwards.
I had carried enough food, but not enough liquid.
Small saddle adjustments had stopped 'things' getting numb on the return leg, but I do wish that my saddle had made my bum numb. It would saved me a great deal of pain for the last 20-30 miles of each leg. A new saddle will be sought out.
Anyway, 4 idiot drivers over the entire distance of just under 250 miles - just goes to show that they are in the minority, even more so when out of the urban sprawl.
The biggest thing for me was how life changes once you get back into the countryside. For those that live there - I am extremely jealous of those views and the patient and pragmatic attitude that people have.
Did I mention the views?
Riding across country through via Melton Mowbray, Stamford and St.Ives, not only was I blessed to have such wonderful weather (hardly any wind, cool but not cold, wonderful sunshine) one thing really struck me. What a wonderful countryside we have in this country if people ever stray from the A or M roads long enough to see it.
Tiny immaculate villages, amazing views of green fields and amazing wildlife that gets silently passed by on your way. Lovely, friendly and patient people on route too. Sooo unlike urban Nottingham (Or Cambridge for that matter).
A few seat adjustments on the way (my normal ride is not long enough to get it spot on) and I arrived in Cambridge a bit saddle sore...a bit...very grateful that the latter 2 thirds of the journey had been getting less hilly as I tired on the way. A navigation error meant that I had clocked a 109 miles by the time I sat down for a coffee and a sarnie at my destination, which was 14 miles more than my 'master' planned route.
Three days later (after my bum and thighs had stopped hurting! - must get new saddle
2 days later after a lovely break and a re-explore of the area I haunted in my much younger days, I set off on the return leg.
A slightly different route, but better planned. Or so I thought.
Of course, I had forgotten that it got increasingly hilly closer to home. I had also forgotten that tiny villages often did not have a shop to get a drink from. I cycled from just outside Peterborough to Melton with no water (via 8 villages!) and if there is one thing I can suggest to anyone cycling more than 50 miles - you will need a drink WHEN you need a drink. Not twenty miles afterwards.
Small saddle adjustments had stopped 'things' getting numb on the return leg, but I do wish that my saddle had made my bum numb. It would saved me a great deal of pain for the last 20-30 miles of each leg. A new saddle will be sought out.
Anyway, 4 idiot drivers over the entire distance of just under 250 miles - just goes to show that they are in the minority, even more so when out of the urban sprawl.
The biggest thing for me was how life changes once you get back into the countryside. For those that live there - I am extremely jealous of those views and the patient and pragmatic attitude that people have.
Did I mention the views?
