It's funny how an ipod's shuffle facility can pick songs to match the conditions. I lost count of the songs that mentioned rain, mist, the cold, the wet and a number of other adverse meteorlogical conditions: Misty Mountain Hop (Led Zep), Red Rain (White Stripes)...
Yesterday's ride to Abergavenny and back took place underneath a wet blanket. A douvet of drizzle. A poncho of precipitation.
The rain started 15 minutes after leaving the house, in defiance of the forecast that promised rain much later in the day, and followed me to Govilon, just outside Abergavenny. Crossing the Severn Bridge proved to be a death-defying entrance into Wales as the wind tried to blow my bike out from underneath me.
The route up to Raglan normally provides a stunning view across the valley; this time the hills were shrouded in clouds and the 15% descents were taken with extreme caution.
At least the A40 provided a bit of 'fast and flat' before getting to the lunch stop with Mum, my sister, auntie, uncle and cousins.
The route back several hours later was even worse. By now the misty drizzle had turned to rain, plus the fading light made for a nervy 42 mile ride home. Coming to Devauden I could barely see 20m ahead and I was pleased to make it home in one piece.
No Rain by Blind Melon would have been welcome.
The conditions for Sunday's ride were much better, although it was anything but calm and sunny. A strong south-westerly buffeted me around Chew Valley lake but I found a nice new hill to Burrington Combe and a new route between Kennmoor Road and West End, Backwell.
With an 85-mile ride and a 62-mile ride, I feel like I've turned a corner. I'm feeling fitter, sharper and spritely on the hills, in good time too - my Epic Cycles 50 mile challenge is two weeks away.
I
n other news...- Boneshaker issue 4 launched at Cafe Kino in Bristol on Friday. I have a lovely new t-shirt (detail pictured) and a great read waiting for me...
- A Garmin Edge 800 is coming my way, split 50:50 with my Dad.
- And after two punctures on my fixed wheel road bike, my mountain bike has a new wheel and slick tyre on order. Nelson lives again.
No comments:
Post a Comment