The Festive season doesn’t stop me cycling, it just stops me having enough time to write about it!
Dad and I went out on Christmas Eve, starting from their place, which made a lovely change from seeing the same roads over and over. We went down into Portishead, over the motorway, and up the long long climb up Failand Hill. I’m sure it was much worse last time I went up it – maybe it was only easier because I was doing it at my Dad’s pace not mine? Either way it went well, which is always nice. Up the hill, down the nastiness that is Belmont Hill (very steep, very bendy, with lousy road surface), then along the main road through Wraxall and Nailsea to Clevedon, and back up up up and along past the golf course back. 21 slowish miles in dead calm fairly pleasant weather. A very nice way to get out of the house and away from the Christmas craziness, and it also meant that Dad could try out his new bike properly (me, jealous?!). My turn will come one day…*grin*.
Today I went out with M and M. The morning had started grey and gloomy but as we headed out, the sun came out. We went out via Bleadon to Brean and round to a coffee stop at Burnham on Sea, before heading back through Highbridge and Mark.
Cycling time: 2:29:43
Distance: 37.806 miles
Avs: 15.2mph
ODO: 7985.8 miles
Blimey was it ever cold though! Although the roads were clear – lack of moisture lately – it was definitely freezing. However good the socks and overshoes are, there’s only so much they can do…and by the time I got home, I had no toes. They’re back now though, after a long hot bath that is! I’m glad to have got out, and we made pretty good time all things considered. Not bad :).
In other news I’m also now signed up to all the sportive events I currently plan on doing before the L2P. There’s a gap in April that I guess I could fill, but we’ll have to see. So that’s the Mad March Hare in March (no, really?), the Forest of Dean Spring Classic in May, the Dragon Ride in June, and the Merlin Ride in July, as well as probably Bristol’s Biggest Bike Ride in June. I need my head examining! Still, it’s good to have it all booked in and paid for…now I can worry about the training and raising the sponsorship money!