On my day off, Monday 3rd June 2019 I resolved to overcome the biggest goal I had set myself ever since getting into b’cycling proper: A bike ride to Salisbury to visit my Mum n’ Dad.
Unsure if I would make the distance I would go at a gentle pace with my friend Sophie on the first leg of the journey to Saltford (on the Bristol to Bath cycle path). We stopped at the Jolly Sailor for a hearty lunch (a colossal ham n’ cheese baguette which I could not finish!) and a ginger beer.
I left Sophie behind at Saltford and, in light drizzle continued on my epic endeavour towards Bath. I increased my pace on the flat path and dropped a metal water bottle from my backpack in doing so. One dented drinking bottle, but still full of water thankfully.
At the end of the cycle path I was directed past Aldi (or was it Lidl – am I the only one who is unable to distinguish betwixt the two German supermarkets??). Whatever, I headed across the road towards the two tunnels. A wonderful path that takes you through two very long, dark and chilly former railway tunnels.
Better than climbing the hills out of Bath, anyway. Well, not so fast… at the end of the two tunnels path is a long 8% climb up and out of Bath due South. Going up Midford Hill was mildly terrifying as the cars blast past on the narrow road. A road I had driven many times on the way to Salisbury! These familiar roads suddenly look very daunting on two wheels. But the adventure was compelling me to ride on. I was excited to see where Komoot would take me.
Thankfully about 10kms along these familiar roads I was directed off the beaten track and down a lovely single track country lane. What a relief. Particularly as I needed to pee and I was now in the middle of nowhere for a bit of privacy.
The weather was alternately drizzling and sunny so conditions were pretty good and I was now thoroughly loving my ride onto Westbury.
I barely touched the South Western corner of Westbury village and was quickly en route to Warminster, a few miles down the road. I missed a turning mid-Warminster but was not off course for too long before picking up a pathway south east.
More country lanes followed, which took me alongside the railway into Salisbury. I felt close. Unfortunately my phone ran out of battery such was the length of this ride. I still had 10kms or so left but I knew where I was going as soon as I picked up the A36 at Stoford. Not as pleasant a road to follow as the country lane but I was at my Mum n’ Dad’s not 20 minutes later.
My Dad was surprised to see me (I hadn’t phoned ahead just incase I turned around) and I was shattered by elated to have conquered my big goal.
After a hearty home-cooked meal, I caught the train back to Bristol, too late and too tired to cycle home. Plus I had work in the morning.
I did go back to Salisbury the following Sunday by train to pick up my bike and cycle back to Bristol. I took the same route home and my average speed was slightly higher. I ran out of legs just after Bath, though and then the rain came. Luckily my phone died again so the slow plod back into Bristol was not recorded.
I did chat to a lovely girl in traffic, also on her bicycle as I made my way home.
B'Cycle Rob Blog 