After being struck down by mild, albeit self-induced malaise last weekend, I had failed in my lofty goal of 2x 33km(-ish) long rides. This weekend I was to make another attempt; with a Friday off I had three days of marvelous b’cycling related activities to look forward to.
Friday 13th September, Ride #1
A glorious weekend of warm sunshine was predicted and, Friday morning did not disappoint. The sky was a glorious blue and the temperature was very pleasant, not too hot nor too cold for a spot of bikery.
I set off in the cool morning air in an easterly direction, past the station at Temple Meads, then following the Feeder Canal as it meets up with the River Avon. A lovely riverside ride made the morning even better, but Komoot quickly directed me away from the river as it winded its way southwards and I still had some easterly riding ahead of me.
Up the not insignificant hill I went, away from the river and along the main roads through Hanham and Longwell Green before heading towards Bath on the Bath Road. Just before the little village of Bitten, I was directed onto the familiar Bristol-to-Bath Cycle Path.
Unfortunately I had to climb a long steep staircase, carrying my bike to get onto the cycle path. A great effort ensured and I stopped for a rest.
I blasted down the path to Saltford, where I was directed off the path and directly southwards through the village. I continued along a lovely single track country lane, enjoying the feeling of great adventure in the warm sunshine.
This was the most southerly point of the route and I turned North West through the very small village of Compton Dando. The route steepened thereafter and it was a good climb back towards Bristol. I was soon on the outskirts and cycled through Whitchurch and down the hill to Hartcliffe. I was soon home having completed Ride #1 in 1hr 41min. I was hot and happy as I had a pizza for lunch. The best day off.
Sunday 15th September, Ride #2
I had to skip Saturday as I was in a full day workshop at the Bristol Bike Project (Day 1), learning how to maintain and repair various components on my bicycle. A great deal was learned and it was a sweaty, oily and greasy kind of day which I enjoyed immensely.
Sunday I awoke early, quite shattered as I had not slept at all well, unfortunately. However after an enforced trip to The Laundrette (washing machine dramas at home), a lovely poached egg with rice breakfast and copious amounts of coffee and lucozade I went for it. Ride #2, day #2. Consecutively (almost).
I elected to go West today as I had repeated a few southerly rides recently and I was getting bored of cycling through Hartcliffe. So I headed for Clevedon, a nice flat route out of the city and easy on my tired legs.
The weather was again warm and sunny, albeit a stiff headwind as I head due west out of Bristol, through Long Ashton and directly for the coast. Due to my location in the south west of the city I am quickly away from civilization when I go in this direction.
Long Ashton is quickly out of the way as I headed down towards the cycle path at Flax Bourton. I was briefly distracted here by a pretty raspberry bush picker but carried on regardless, along the lovely cycle path that runs alongside the railway tracks.
Nailsea is quickly upon me and then the road quickly turns into lovely countryside. I encountered a herd of cows in the road here. I cycled past them, startled them and possibly started a minor stampede. Cycling alongside a trotting hunk of Moo Meat is an intimidating experience! I was faster though and headed up the road towards Clevedon.
As I arrived at the end of the Kenn Rd and nearly in Clevedon proper, I lost the route 3 times in a row. I was not getting the aural instructions from Komoot into my brain very well, so decided at this point to just turn back and head for home. Clearly I was tired!
I returned home the way I came and was quickly back in Bristol, after a nice 2 hours and 44.6km in the saddle. I was a little bit closer to consecutive days riding but I still have a long way to go.
B'Cycle Rob Blog 