Harlow in the Sun
The best summer ever?
Could this be the best summer ever in the UK? We’ve already had temperatures passing 40 degrees Celsius which has never been seen before. This week the heat has consistently been in the late 20’s. Amazing for getting out on the bike.
As the kids are now well into the five-week summer holiday I’ve made deal with myself to get up early, get out on the bike, back before everyone is up and I have to start work.
This morning was no exception, I jumped out of bed before seven am, got my kit on and was out before anyone could stop me. It was already well into the twenties as I left heading toward Newstead. The sun was blazing.
I decided to pass Newstead and head to Harlow and Thieves wood as it would be so picturesque with the sun blazing through the trees casting shadows all over the trail.
I powered through the Newstead estate and down some of route six as quick as I could so I could catch the sun showing off. I wasn’t disappointed when I first entered Harlow wood. The trail is a sandy, lumpy track with the trees and shrubs covering all the land around it. So, it’s generally shaded, but not today. Rays of sun were piercing the gaps in the trees casting a haze of sunlight all over the trail. Progressing along was like a 50’s style film flickering at you, the sun hitting from all angles, it was amazing.
I was well in the moment taking in all nature has to offer in a peaceful forest. I made sure I stopped along the way not only to appreciate the scenery but to capture some of it to share.
Further into the wood the sun was catching my back directly casting a full silhouette of me riding along the on the trail.
I left Harlow Wood and crossed the A60 into Thieves wood. Thieves wood is a zig zag of routes from one side to the other. There was a particular wide fire road surrounded by dense trees that created an amazing picture. I stopped to take it in but didn’t capture on camera as good as with the eyes.
The rest of Thieves wood was particularly dry and fast, and sandy as I found out coming into a corner off some single track at about 20mph. Luckily, I held my front wheel and got the foot down, to stop my shoulder from hitting the floor first.
I exited Thieves Wood and traversed Cauldwell dam, to head home fully exhilarated and ready for the day. I do love summer!
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