#1 Chew Stoke
The day after my epiphany to Chew Magna I purchased 1x lycra top, 1x lycra leggings and 1x lycra shorts.
The following Tuesday I cycled to Chew Stoke, which was a slightly longer ride and a pleasant evening for a half a cider in the Village pub. My lycra instantly made me a cycling god, of course.
#2 Saltford (on the Bristol to Bath Cycle Path)
After that I was keen to test my new found speed and aerodynamicissity in my lycra so I set off up the nice flat Bristol-to-Bath cycle path, to see how I would perform. I now had the Komoot app installed so I had access to lots of big data. At an average speed of 25.1km/h I wouldn’t be troubling any pelotons any time soon.
#3 Clevedon
Another evening ride, this time a full 50kms to Clevedon Marine Lake and back, with a lovely view of the sea. A route that took me in a new direction out of the city: Due West.
I rode along through the lovely village of Long Ashton with it’s splendid long, undulating road, mingling with the commuters and lycra warriors, all of whom overtook me with great speed and ease.
At the other end of Long Ashton I was taken onto the cycle path that follows the train tracks into Nailsea. A great bit of cycling and the weather was again fine. From Nailsea to Clevedon I was taken through more wonderful english country lanes, many of which were lined with awful brexit “so-called-party” banners.
After approximately 1h14m riding and trying to keep up with Komoot’s directions I arrived at the Clevedon Marine Lake for a thoroughly rewarding Beer and crisps.
I followed a similar route home and arrived, exhausted after a good 3 hours out on the bike. I made a large portion of pasta.
#4 West Harptree (Over Dundry!)
The next weekend I was headed due-south again, but this time I was to attempt the daunting Dundry Hill. A shorter ride but with two goes over such a climb, challenging enough.
I failed on my way out to West Harptree. The initial climb over Dundry was too overwhelming for my poor little legs and I had to get off about 3/4ths of the way up. I carried on and enjoyed the wonderful views from the top.
From then on it was all downhill again, a fast decent into West Harptree via a quick stop at Chew Valley Lake to take in the views of the water.
I headed back home again, taking in the same route. This meant scaling Dundry for the second time. But the incline was slightly shallower and I managed it without stopping. However a small red sports car did come screeching up behind me, mid-climb. He slammed on his brakes and locked up his brakes behind me. I have no idea how close he came to me, but I was spooked and naughty words were exclaimed.
I arrived home unscathed, pleased that I had attempted Dundry.
#5 Clevedon (via Portishead)
The final and largest ride in this little wrap up, was a Wednesday evening Tour of Portishead and Clevedon. The weather was overcast and threatening but I was undaunted and looking forward to my 54.2km ride.
Not 2km from the départ was a steep hill up the gorge and out of Bristol. I pushed up the 14% gradient and with my recent Dundry experience I was ready to go all the way. I managed it and was thoroughly elated. But it was only the start of my long ride.
The ride thereafter took me through lovely meandering country lanes, through Leigh Woods and some magnificent views over the Bristol Channel.
Komoot directed me up some steps. So I carried my bike up and was on the road out of Portishead and onward toward Clevedon. The road to Clevedon is essentially one single country track lane which was marvellous to ride through, under the canopy of trees. There were various farmyard animals to greet me along the way.
I stopped off in Clevedon at a petrol station for protein and chocolate. And the route home was familiar and joyous. I came home the most exhausted I had ever been on my bicycle. The evening’s weather improved though. I had come a long way in the month of May.
B'Cycle Rob Blog 