My June was spent as follows: A week's sailing in the Sporades followed by four days of rain in the UK, followed by 10 days in Arizona where at 40 degrees it was too hot to go out in the daytime, although we got up to the mountains where it was a great deal cooler. Came back to the UK with severe jetlag and a very phlegmie cold.
So I hear the weather's been crap? Too bad. It seems to have picked up a bit now - time to get out on the bike, and of course with Bradley in mind it's time to do more than you think you do. So on Sunday, a pootle out to the Peak District turns into an endurance test, following 'my route' over Bamford Moor (can I recommend the coffee stop in the car park below Burbage? I think I can) through the Hope Valley, up Mam Tor and down to Chinley - then along the tramway to the canal, switching to the Sett Valley train (took a bit of finding) up to Hayfield, then back into 'road cyclist' mode. (This entails turning up the ipod REALLY LOUD!) Over the top to Glossop - have tended to do this the other way, I think this direction is preferable. Then the big one - over the Snake. Had the wind behind me and although I was already knackered, the tough climbs were worth it for the long swooping downhills.
Saw one shocking incident - a young couple on MTB's passed me on the way up from Glossop. On the way down on the other side there had been an accident, and I'm pretty sure it was one of them. There didn't appear to have been another vehicle involved, and motorists has stopped to look after the casualty and manage the traffic. I didn't see how I could help so I carried on. I was nearly at Ladybower however before an ambulance went up so I hope that person was OK.
Two more climbs, each slightly less stiff than the previous, and I was drinking a restorative pint in Sheffield about two hours later.
So I hear the weather's been crap? Too bad. It seems to have picked up a bit now - time to get out on the bike, and of course with Bradley in mind it's time to do more than you think you do. So on Sunday, a pootle out to the Peak District turns into an endurance test, following 'my route' over Bamford Moor (can I recommend the coffee stop in the car park below Burbage? I think I can) through the Hope Valley, up Mam Tor and down to Chinley - then along the tramway to the canal, switching to the Sett Valley train (took a bit of finding) up to Hayfield, then back into 'road cyclist' mode. (This entails turning up the ipod REALLY LOUD!) Over the top to Glossop - have tended to do this the other way, I think this direction is preferable. Then the big one - over the Snake. Had the wind behind me and although I was already knackered, the tough climbs were worth it for the long swooping downhills.
Saw one shocking incident - a young couple on MTB's passed me on the way up from Glossop. On the way down on the other side there had been an accident, and I'm pretty sure it was one of them. There didn't appear to have been another vehicle involved, and motorists has stopped to look after the casualty and manage the traffic. I didn't see how I could help so I carried on. I was nearly at Ladybower however before an ambulance went up so I hope that person was OK.
Two more climbs, each slightly less stiff than the previous, and I was drinking a restorative pint in Sheffield about two hours later.
