On the road again

Having set off from home mid morning, I had only a vague idea of where I would cycle today, yes I usually make it up as I go along. As always, the first mile is down hill at quite a speed, this may appear fine however on the end of a long ride, I have to go back up!

So within a few minutes I have decided, up onto the Mendips it is - the challenge of the hill known as Burrington Coombe was going to be my main objective, I will get up there - seated!

Earlier in the morning I adjusted my saddle slightly and dropped the seat height slightly - this seemed a good move as I felt just a touch more comfortable. Without boring you, the first 15 miles were fairly uneventful but this brought me to the aforementioned Burrington Coombe.

Feeling just a touch short of power I decided to call into the bike shop at the bottom and invest in some energy bars and energy gel sachets - a good move really as later in the ride I was glad of the boost these gave me.

So, up we go a steepish climb with several bends. Between the rocks of the gorge I was protected somewhat from the stiff breeze and made reasonable progress, or so I thought. Seated and pulling about 7mph, I was passed by a female rider who politely said 'good morning' as she seemed to power past, although she soon faltered and the gap between us didn't grow much.

Only a matter of minutes later a deep voiced 'morning' came from a guy who did really power past me and soon powered past the lady in front - I wish that I could have the same amount of muscle strength! 

Anyway, onwards and upwards and on to the relatively level Mendips - going quite well for about 5 miles until - a hail storm! Suddenly the sweaty climb up the gorge had turned into a shiver as I start to descend towards Cheddar Gorge. A fairly dangerous descent really as the bends are quite tight in places and I guess a safe speed was about 25mph although as always, some car drivers have no idea!

By now I had covered 25 miles and had targetted myself with making 50 miles - so heading back towards home now with the wind in my back, progress was made as I seemed to pick up a good pace averaging 20+mph on the level. It was my turn to overtake somebody, a couple moving well but well within my range, my turn to say 'good morning' even if it was with something of a laboured breath.

As per the journey out, the return was reasonably simple, however In the end I was keen to get back as my feet had gone numb and shoulders starting to ache a bit. The final challenge then, the mile hill climb back to the house - Had to take this one a bit easy but got up no trouble.

There we are, 50.30 miles covered and finished in reasonable nick - keen to extend my distance over the next couple of weeks ready for the 'big one' - more on that next time.