Yesterday I went out for a ride that goes well with the conversation that was going on here up thread. 15 miles in 1 hour 32. And I loved it. Although there was quite a lot of walking involved due to uneven surfaces. I did take pictures and put them on Instagram, but not quick enough for them to be added to the ride on Strava. So all the pictures can be found here: www,instagram.com/matthalliday
The only planning I had for this ride was simply that I was going out on my bike, didn't know where, how fast I wanted to go, or what distance. I do have some routes planned that I want to do, but saved routes don't have to be boxed off straight away. So this ride started well, then the traffic lights decided they wanted to be a pain in the backside. Every set of lights was on red, then as I was about to turn left over a bridge those lights went to red and the bridge went up. Didn't think it was going to be my day so I decided to try and find the Bidston Windmill, after a few times of going straight past the entrance which is simply a gap in the bushes I walked through some woods and there it was. From there I took a right turn (still on foot) and ended up at Bidston Lighthouse which is (apparently) the furthest inland lighthouse in Britain, more than 2 miles from the shore! After that long walk, in SPDs, I got back on the bike and did part of the Bidston Moss loop which used to be a landfill site. It is now a wooded area with a cycle/foot path around the base and includes a lake, shame that it stinks of the tip which is literally over the fence. Anyway from there, through another wooded area (yes the Forestry Commission is in full swing around here) a few more pictures, and nettle stings on the shins, I looked a the time and went to my grandparents for a cup of tea.
I never used to like slow bimbles around, and used to think that I need to either do a set distance, speed or elevation. So to the newbies reading this... Just enjoy yourself, I recently stayed off the bike for about a month because I had fell out of love with it, more of these rides and I doubt I will again!
http://www.strava.com/activities/192082034
Happy cycling guys!
Husband and middle son already commute by bike everyday and youngest son has recently got a road bike for his birthday.
Id like to think thats me...... but perhaps not 
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