Having returned from a marvellous confidence-boosting trip to Stuttgart and having spent many £’s on my lovely bike I was incentivised to ride more than my commute to work.
On the very next weekend, following my return from Germany I looked on the map and searched for somewhere to visit that was nearly exactly 1 hours ride out of Bristol.
The little village of Chew Magna fit the bill. Directly south out of the city on a warm, sunny day. Perfect.
I stopped off at Tesco for a couple of bottles of Evian (I thought I’d need extra for this adventure!) and proceeded along West Street contentedly.
My first obstacle was the busy Hartcliffe Way, a two lane affair initially that becomes one lane at a busy junction. I turned onto this road, merged at the traffic lights and was on my way up the hill.
Towards the top, I popped onto a cycle path at the side of the road for a collossal round-a-bout. I chickened out of this one. A 3-lane, 5 exit affair where such a wet-behind-the-ears b’cyclist feels very small.
I stuck to the pedestrianised area and popped out on the other side on a quieter residential street en-route to Whitchurch. A quick trip across the A37 and suddenly I found Nirvana (well, to me anyway). Having experienced nothing but busy Bristol/Stuttgart streets for most of the previous year or so, I was now on a single track country lane, heading away from the city and riding far and fast.
The weather was fine and the scenic route made for one happy chap. On my way I met several similarly happy chappies on their fancy b’cycles and we all nodded and waved at each other jovially. I had found my people.
As I neared my destination I winded my way down into the Chew Valley and admired the lovely views. I was totally hooked, bring on the lycra!
A quick drink and I headed back up the valley towards home. Google Maps took me a different way home and after the lovely single track country lane I was on a bike path back to the city.
A fantastic ride, I couldn’t wait for the next one. But I got home tired and soaked in the bath tub. 🛀
B'Cycle Rob Blog 