There are lots of reasons for riding a bike. Sometimes the only reason is just because. This time it was because it would have been rude not to. Good weather, good company, nowhere else to be, nothing else to be doing. Perfect :).
It was one of those sunny Spring days where your layering strategy will never be right and zips go up and down and layers come on and off but at least there are layers to do that with, and the novelty of not being wrapped up like the Michelin man stops it from being annoying. Thanks to the nasty cold fairly annoying wind going up hill may have been rather warm, but the rest was anything from quite nice to verging on chilly and then as the sun got a little lower later on, actually cold. None of that stopped it being absolutely blooming’ gorgeous out there though – just look at it? :D.
It be nice around Somerset, and this wasn’t my turf, so I got to see whole chunks of it that I hadn’t seen before, which made a really nice change. Being unfamiliar, our route seemed longer and further than it actually was, but that was ok. There were more hills than any route made by me would probably have involved, and that was ok too. Because it was just so nice being out there, on it, in it. I really, really enjoyed it which, as my Dad pointed out to me the other night, is supposed to be the point! There was definitely a lot of smiling going on :). Having persuaded Chris to check it over and make sure it was in working order, I was on my summer bike for the first time this year, and I fell in love with it all over again. It’s SO beautiful. Not just to look at, which it is, eye of the beholder ‘n all that, but also to ride. Oh yes. For the first time in however long, there were entire minutes of zone. That urge to kick off and sprint a bit, I’d forgotten how much it almost begs to do that. Also to swoop downhill at mad speeds. It’s no wonder we get on so well together ;). Even plodding my way up the hills felt good – slow but smooth and steady. Me and my bike were feeling pretty good…
So I rode again. I seem to have gotten away with it – no painful consequences. Definitely another step along the road back. I do love riding my bike. It was part of a really good weekend, and I’ve been trying to carry that happy feeling with me through today – it’s definitely made Monday more bearable :).
Cycling time: 2:12
Distance: 30.1 miles
Avg 13.7 mph
ODO: 3959.6 miles
On Sunday I have the Endura Lionheart, and I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet. I think I’m riding on my own, which could be interesting. I could do 100km or 100miles, and I guess I’ll see how I’m feeling, and how the weather is, and play it by ear on the day. Be nice to do the whole thing though…*fingers crossed*.