Progress

For once a story about cycling, which I will get to in a bit. First, some context, which may not seem related, but, well, you know me...

If you are a regular reader you may have noticed I've upped my volume of writing of late. This is partly due to the fact that I am about to change jobs. Next week in fact is the official start date for my new one. With my son finishing his A levels, and other family changes, it has turned into the Mother of all transition periods, and the most recent posts have really been all about those. But this one, well, it will be about cycling.

If you've read this blog before you will know I had whooping cough in the late Winter and early Spring. It was an arse and I didn't really exercise for the best part of two and a bit months. Since I've got back on the bike, I have not ridden anything like the typical mileage I have done in previous years, and have lacked a bit of oomph for all sorts of reasons.

I hadn't factored in just how much fitness and strength I would lose, and I'm still not fully sure how much its caused by the remnants and ravages of the infection, and how much by the absence of work, and lack of application since I came back to the road.

There is one thing in particular that had started to become a bit of a thorn in my psychological side. I have yet to ride over 100 miles in one go this calendar year, something that is even more remarkable given the focus I placed on getting my Edington number up to a 100 a couple of years back. Most recent years I usually have turned in 15-20 century rides, so even more of an impact on my lack of fitness.

I've had a few near misses, a few bail-outs and last Saturday, a broken spoke from Martyn's rear wheel and a shortage of time meant we aborted almost before we got started. As I am in between days, having a week's holiday to break the two jobs apart, this week presented the ideal opportunity to have a crack at it, with no distractions.

More that that, the omens could not have been more heartening. A high-pressure system ushered in a warm spell of weather over the country, slap bang in the middle of my break, and the Tuesday offered up warm, but not unduly hot temperatures, with virtually no wind. More than that, I actually had a destination to get too. THe wildflowers near Stogumber are at the end of their time, and it was now or never for 2019. A round trip there could easily be made into a great century ride, with a bit of challenge of the QUantocks and Brendons thrown in.

To cap it all, it was a rest day on the Tour, I had little else to distract me, and I knew the weather would not last the week. It simply had to be done. And done on my own, with no distractions, much as I love cycling with my mates I could do this at my own pace, without worrying about when or for how long I stopped.

So 0830 I was off, down the hill towards the hills. But before I could get to them, I had to navigate the early morning traffic of the A38. And outside one or two schools, and a certain amount of grumpiness. But once that was out of the way, I bumbled along back lanes of the levels, weaving around to make the miles up and heading for my favourite cycle path. The one that takes you under the A39 to Bawdrip. I don't know why I love it so much, but on Tuesday it was especially lovely. As were the cheerful dog-walkers and others I passed on my way.

Bawdrip cycle path

The one downside of the ride (two if you count the return journey) was having to navigate Bridgwater. I tried to find away through a different part of town, but got lost, and ended up on the A39 anyway, so that didn't work. But once out into the country, the day continued on its lovely way. With one exception. The lorries. The Cannington area has become a route to one of the largest construction sites in Europe at the moment. It's a source on never-ending bemusement to me as a cyclist that we are building another nuclear power plant. I've just watched the series "Chernobyl", I know it was a drama, but it didn't exactly end well. As someone who knows how many headwinds we have out on the levels, surely wind turbines would be better?

After a quick diversion for the picture above (taken from afar), I had to get back on the main road to cross the Quantocks. I elected to take the easier but busier route through St Audries, but this did mean putting up with the traffic. There are a couple of steep bits, but I was generally able to keep up a good speed, especially on the downhills, so what is it that makes all those people overtake me, despite the solid double white lines on that stretch? There must have been about 3 near misses where impatience nearly caused an RTC with the oncoming.

Section 129 of the Highway code if you're interested. Backed up by Road traffic act 1988 section 36 and TSRGD regulations 10 & 26. You can quote me!

After a quite stop for a snack, in the very pleasant churchyard at Williton, it was onto Washford and onto the climb up to the wildflowers. You can read all about the fundraising here.

I could have stayed there all day, but contented myself with a brief rest after the climb, some snaps and taking in the marvellous views. The flowers will be back I'm sure next year. But until then, here's a sample of some of my pictures.



 

 



Lunchtime was now approaching so I pushed on down the undulating road to Wiviliscombe, which is an interesting place. You'll have to go there yourself to find out what I mean. I contented myself with a sandwich and drink from the Co-op, eaten on a bench in the small square, let's just say all the usual characters were on show!

 

After that it was on down to the base of the Quantocks at Bishop's Lydeard, before skirting around to Kingston St Mary and up the delightful valley and climb to the Pines café. Where for once, I received a friendly welcome and some much needed fluids. By now it was getting quite hot and I was tiring as well as very, very thirsty.

 

View from the Pines

 

A quick scoot down Enmore, through THAT place again, and back up the Bawdrip path. It was now seriously hot and I'd run out of water, so I headed for Wedmore to take advantage of the village shop, and my last stop of the day, for an ice cream! Only seven miles home and I'd done it. My first century of 2019!

 

So now my time of transition is at an end. I even have a plan. For getting fit I mean, the work plan will be done on Sunday night (only joking, really). Of course, this blog only ever uses cycling as a device to give me an outlet to get stuff out of my head so that I can move on. Which I am fully intending to do, there are lots of very exciting times coming along. I feel this week I have used one of my core competences to slay a growing monster.

 

A bit dramatic? Yes.

 

An exaggeration? Naturally, you wouldn't expect anything else.

 

But to all the pretenders and blaggers out there, the would-be tyrants and despots, remember this. I am not going gently into the night, and I never, ever, ever, give up.

 

Was this about cycling? You decide.