mickc
Summer is back!
Could Summer be starting?
What an amazing day today. Only a couple of days after the clocks have been turned forward and the sun popped up with a lovely warm day, reminiscence of Summer. Could it be starting or is mother nature teasing us?
I've only just been thinking how hard it has been getting out on the bike since Christmas. January was on and off with snow, which is great fun on the bike if you can catch it straight after a snowfall as it’s nice and fluffy to ride through, but don't attempt a ride the following morning after a snow fall as it freezes on top and is slushy underneath. I can be so dangerous it’s not worth the risk.
Then February came and it seemed to be just rain and wind. I'm not a fair-weather biker but there’s only so much mud and bike cleaning one person can take. Top both months with the dark nights and there hasn't been much time to enjoying a fun flowing bike ride.
Then we turn the clock forwards, some covid restrictionsare lifted and boom, the sun appears to provide a cracking day. It was work all day, working from home, but I couldn’t miss this opportunity. I was clock watching all morning waiting for lunch to come round. As soon as it hit 12 I was getting kitted up and unlocking the bike. It was that nice I opted just for shorts and t-shirt which turned out to be ideal.
I only had an hour so it was a quick 11 mile spin through Portland Park , across Sherwood industrial estate and into the Felly. The ground was dry and fast flowing. No blocks of mud or puddles of ice to contend with. It was pure dry gravel track...First of the year.
The steep sectionheading toward Underwood was amazing, I was able to let the brakes go and fly. It still has its loose gravel at the bottom to be weary of but no wet stones to loose the grip on. The steep climb around the corner seemed to pass easier. My running since Christmas must've paid dividends, I was breathing heavy and the heart was pounding but it felt like I had some left in the tank. As I hit the top I looked back to see the superb view I often stop to take in for a few minutes. Not today though, it was straight round the corner to finish the second half of the loop.
I arrived home with a giant smile on my face. 11 miles in around 55 minutes. I nearly hit 30mph on the dash down toward Underwood. Today was a resemblance to last summer.
So, is summerjust around the corner? I saw the queue outside the butchers today, getting packs for the BBQ's I guess, but Let’s see tomorrow. Officially Its a couple of months away yet and I hear rumours of sleet early next week, but let’s face it the weather people often get it wrong. Fingers crossed its a warm April and May.
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