I’ve been known to moan about doing hills with other people, so I thought I’d go do some on my own in decent conditions, which I find makes them more palatable.  The weather was as forecast – lovely and clear and bright.  I knew it would be gorgeous on the top of the Mendips, and the only way to get up there is to climb something!  It was a bit windy, but that’s less of an issue going uphill…

So I set off around 9am ish.  As the forecast had the temperatures in double figures and I knew I’d be doing a lot of climbing (by my standards!) I’d gone for the long sleeve jersey with the windproof jacket over the top, but the rest as winter standard, which just about worked out.

First off, up Shipham Hill.  It was the usual slog – the first bit is the worst and always feels awful because you’re not warmed up yet.  I took it easy enough, and was proper warm by the top though.  Straight through Shipham, down to the main road, and down again to the lights at Churchill.  I headed east towards Wells, pausing briefly to take the arms off my jacket as I was getting a tad boil in the bag, and I knew what was to come…Burrington Combe.  I plodded my way up, cursing the amount of traffic that was using the road as if cyclists didn’t exist…  I went straight all the way, no deviations, over the top of the Mendips, cursing the side wind but enjoying the views.  I opted to come down into Wells on the Old Bristol Road, which I’m not very familiar with, via Upper Milton, which is an interesting down…I’m glad there wasn’t more traffic on that bit!  I’ll have to use that bit of road more often – it’s pretty up there 🙂

Before getting to Wells proper, I swung a right and opted to go through Wookey Hole instead,  up that nasty little steep bit there, and then down round the back road to Easton.  Deer Leap didn’t appeal…odd that.  I took the main road for a bit before taking a wiggle across the levels from Rodney Stoke to Nyland, for variety, before heading back into Cheddar on the main road, and then home.  The Cheddar Ales van passed me pre-wiggle and was coming out just as I went past their place having rejoined the main road, so I bet they think I’m incredibly slow!  😉

Cycling time: 2:24:21
Distance: 33.05 miles
Avs: 13.6 mph
ODO: 2730 miles

Apparently that’s 1955ft/600 metres of climbing.  Doesn’t sound much does it?  I think my legs know about it though 🙂  I did enjoy it more on my own tho’ – no-one to keep up with, be left behind by, or to notice how much hard work I might be finding it!  I think I was a tad colder than I thought I was because it took me a while to warm up once I got in…but that’s better than being too hot on the bike.  So, a good ride to make up for last week’s less than brilliant ones.  Marvellous 🙂

“All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey…”

I should have listened to my Dad when he said the forecast for this morning was bad.  Only I chose to go with the BBC forecast instead, which was far more favourable.  To be honest, when I set out to meet GW, the roads may have been wet, but the weather wasn’t.  There was a bit of wind, but it was a good couple of degrees warmer than yesterday.

We set off, and by the time we got up to the car park on Winscombe Hill, I had to stop, swap winter gloves for mitts, and remove the Buff from my head, to get the temperature level right.

I let GW set the route – which is always a bad idea.  We headed out to Sandford, through Churchill, out to Wrington and then up the long hill past the Walled Garden to the A38.  Up the A38, and right down Row of Ashes (I love that name) to go over the top and down some truly muddy roads to Chew Magna.  Which is where we found the wind – strong and in our faces.  The road across the lakes is a drag at the best of times, and this was NOT the best of times.  We had a brief stop to admire the ducks, and allow me to get my breath.

Then it was back along the bottom road through Ubley and back to Churchill.  I always forget how hilly that darn road is.  Up and down and up and down, with traffic and then….rain!  GW was off in the distance somewhere whilst I sat slogging along behind pondering the idea that if I’d wanted to go cycling on my own, I would have done, and I’d probably have felt better about it since I wouldn’t be feeling so left behind 😉

We were going to up Burrington Combe and come back via Charterhouse and Shipham, but as the wind would have been in our faces and the rain was getting worse, and I didn’t fancy the long slog…we opted for Rowberrow instead.  Another long enough slog though, with traffic whishing past, until the left turn to go up the steeper bit past the Swan.  It wasn’t as steep as I remember it, but in what was now torrential rain, it wasn’t a whole heap of fun.  Fat hard heavy cold rain…

Coming down Shipham Hill was a complete nightmare as water was pouring all over the road in great swathes.  Luckily there was no-one behind me to menace me, as my brakes really weren’t cutting the mustard, and I was doing my usual over cautious bit…  It was a relief to get to the straight stretch at the bottom, and then to get back down the main road and home.

Cycling time: 2:21:27
Distance: 31.73 miles
Avs: 13.4 mph
ODO: 2697 miles

So, as rides go – ick.  I’ll blame the average speed on…everything!  My shoulder waited 110 minutes to cut in today, and wasn’t as bad, so I’ll continue to swear by my lavender wheat pack.  At least I’ve been out three times this week, so I can resort to the gym for the rest of the week with a clear conscience *grin*.

I didn’t really feel like riding today, but it was the lesser of two evils as the alternative was the gym which, on a Wednesday, is full of GP referrals and da yoof.  So, I made myself go.

It was a couple of degrees warmer than Monday, and a bit windier too, so I was a little overwarm, but tolerably so.  I did one of my seaside loops but clockwise for a change – it’s amazing what you’ll do to add variety.  The roads were damp but bearable, and were at least fairly traffic free.    I pootled around, trying to vary the route a bit by taking some of the routes less travelled, in yet more monotonous greyness…

Cycling time: 2:06:50
Distance: 31.4 miles
Avs: 14.8 mph
ODO: 2665 miles

It was going ok, but my LH shoulder nerve thing cut in in a big way after 90 minutes or so.  I was achey already, courtesy of yesterday’s yoga session, which may not have helped.  My plans to go up to Shipham and down went straight out of the window, and I decided just to get home.

It was all just a bit samey too, and I think the novelty of my own company is wearing off…  I also feel like I’m going out riding because the weather means I can, rather than because I want to, if that makes any sense.  I’m due to go out with GW tomorrow too – which is great from a company point of view, but not so good when you consider her speed, attraction to hills, and that she’s liable to have forgotten my pain factor.

I resorted to my lavender heat pack when I got in, and the shoulder thing is feeling a bit better…so we’ll have to see how I get on tomorrow.  The biggest challenge is getting my winter gear clean, and dry again, in time!  🙂

Half term is over – ‘rah!  However winter is not and the forecast for the rest of this week is distinctly dodgy so I decided I would ride today.  Not only in Carpe Diem fashion, but also as kind of a treat to myself for surviving the holidays!

I headed off around 10.00am ish, kitted up as per Saturday’s ride which, again, proved to be just right.  I’ve come to the conclusion that if you’re feeling just a tad chilly as you get going, then you’ve probably got it right, as after 20 minutes or so you’ll have warmed up to the right level.

First off was the usual route to Wedmore, and then a little wiggle to get to the top of Mudgely Hill.  Down’t’other side and turn right across the Levels.  All this done in a world of grey.  The low grey blanket of cloud reducing visibility to not a lot, both for real, and also by covering my glasses in a fine coat of mist.  Cold, still, grey water everywhere, both in the rhynes and over the fields reflecting the sky back.  Grey road.  Grey herons.  The best that can be said for it was the complete lack of wind…

And then I met the cows.  Which I had to follow for a good 10 minutes before I could find a suitable detour as, inevitably, they were going my way…  Did you know that cows potter along at about 3.5mph?  No, neither did I.  I do now.  Bet that never comes up in a pub quiz though! *grin*

I mentally rearranged my route, and headed directly into Mark, and out to Highbridge.  I followed the coastal path to Burnham which was nice and quiet, and the scenery was properly grey and bleak.  Like the Levels but with more water, boats, and mud.  And a complete absence of Wales etc.  Oddly attractive.

Then it was out of Burnham, north for a bit, with a wiggle around Lympsham, past Rookery Manor, and back up past the Webbington to home.   Somewhere along the way it lightened up.  I was going to say “brightened up” but that would be over-stating it somewhat.  Let’s just say the clouds lifted a bit…

Cycling time: 2:19:44
Distance: 35.34 miles
Avs: 15.1 mph
ODO: 2634 miles

If it hadn’t have been for the cows, I’d have been much faster, honest!  *grin*  It wasn’t the world’s most exciting ride, but I did enjoy it.  Cycling on your own tends to be a much more constant effort.  I don’t know if you actually work any harder, since you’re not trying to keep up with folk, but then again you’re not trying to talk and breathe at the same time either so probably go a bit faster.  I bet GB’s Garmin would be able to tell me *grin*.  Mind you, there’s no stopping for coffee half way ’round so it’s probably swings and roundabouts 🙂

PS.  As you know, I like my facts and figures.  Well, since this blog started, I have now done 5034 miles – thus breaking the 5000 mile barrier.  I do love a good milestone 🙂