Thawed Out

Yesterday Nicky and I went for a walk in the snow, and there was an inch or two blanketing the fields and the roads still had icy and slushy patches. Today after overnight rain and a rise in temperature the snow has completely gone. Spot the difference with the 2 photos! So I set off this morning on my road bike for the first ride in 2 weeks. It was mild and sunny but with a fresh wind. I stopped at a garage for coffee in Winslow, then cycled through Waddeston and Bishopstone, where the road had 9" deep floodwater but a raised grass verge I walked on. Big puddles and fords were on most of the roads, but my feet stayed dry. I stopped at the Chandos Arms at Weston Turville for a Sunday roast and a pint, before the last 7 miles home. Round trip of almost 45 miles.

Tour de Yorkshire 2014

I've been looking at the day 1 route for the Tour de France 2014 warm up and the route is very similar to the trip Nicky and I did on hybrids a couple of years ago - except we took 4 days stopping at Kettlewell, Hawes and Masham. I think I've been on or near all these roads either in my youth, when I started youth hostelling aged 13 on my Dawes Debonair 10 speed racer (with Brooks saddle and Karrimor saddle bag), or on the recent trip. There are quite a few steep hills between the dales and the roads are pretty narrow in places. The route also goes within about 5 miles of my parents bungalow, when it passes Harewood. I'm not sure whether I'll arrange to visit - as I don't like crowds much.

Mentmore Ride in the Cold

The weather was only just above freezing this afternoon with icy pools on the roads from last night's frost. It was nice and sunny though so I decided to go for an hours 15 mile ride to Wingrave, Mentmore and back on my road bike. Stopped by Tring reservoirs to take this photo as the sun started to set. Snow forecast tonight and tomorrow, so won't be cycling to work.

Ashridge and Edlesborough Café

Today is a mild 11C, cloudy and not much wind. I went for a ride on my road bike up over Ashridge, past the college pictured to Potten End then Edlesborough, where I found a great cafe that served a full English breakfast with tea for £5 (at 1pm). Then cycled back via Slapton and Ivinghoe, a round trip of 32 miles.

New Year's Day

Nicky and I arranged to meet a couple of friends for a pub lunch at Watlington, about 21 miles away. As the forecast was sunny and not too cold we decided to cycle on our hybrids. We came across a flooded road but fortunately the traffic stopped to let us through, but we still got our feet a bit wet. We both had bangers and mash with onion gravy, and a good chat, then set off back at 2 pm to get back before dark. It was a good start to the year and sunny and dry the whole day. Total mileage 43. Feeling a bit stiff though as we did a 12 mile walk too on Sunday, and we're both in training for a half marathon in Sept.