Last of the Summer...

Make dinner for the family, help the kids with their homework, take the dog for its’ walk, watch the news, work a bit late, ride your bike and stop at the pub. There must be lots of help at home, the kids grades are ensured, you are ahead at work, your liver is working hard and maybe the dog is a bit tired. It seems that the summer evening rides are taking just a little longer, we meet fewer and fewer people on the trail, tyre tracks are rare, car parks are empty, the brambles are starting to die back and bikes are sitting in the corner of the garage/shed/spare room.

If you can be persuaded out for one more ride, you will find that the trails are not too muddy to ride and there is a little bit of evening light left. It is worth a try.

Jack and Jill stood in silence as I pedalled off up the track and even the cows and sheep ignored me as I went past. A few spectators cowered in their cars at the Beacon unwilling to venture out as I hurtled past. Continuing to Blackcap on a completely empty trail, I turned down the bridleway towards Ashcombe Bottom. This descent is a blast and at present it is still rideable; however the horses are beginning to chop-up yesterday's hard-pack into tomorrow’s slurry. The brambles are dying back but not enough to clear bare legs yet. Turning back towards the SDW the short climb up through the wood is firm but dangerous. Someone has wedged an old branch at neck height across the trail between two trees to catch the unwary riding downhill in the opposite direction. In low light ride with caution.

It seems a long way back compared to summer evenings and at least a full gear harder uphill but when I rolled back into the car park I hadn’t pedalled hard, hadn’t got sweaty, hadn’t got aches or pains but I had got out in the air and enjoyed the ride.

I have decided, it is time to swap to winter clothing.