Night Night

With my running career stalled, I’ve decided to try and ride a bit more instead. My knee is better but still bruised and tender a week after my last run. Picking running back up is looking more and more doubtful by the day. It’s a shame but I have to accept I can’t run if I’m going to risk injury. I’ll see how the rest of this week goes then make decision.

At the weekend I took my bike to North Wales and managed to do a 90 min spin up and around the Great Orme and then along the coast to Rhos-on-Sea and back. It was a bit windy but I enjoyed it. I woke up quite early because of the unfamiliar bed and decided to just get up and go as the forecast was for heavy rain later AM.

I was gagging to get out on Sunday too but spending time with the family took priority but did make me even more determined to get out yesterday. My initial plan was go early doors again but staying in bed too late, work then having to take my lad to an appointment late PM meant it would have to be a night ride.

I could see what was going to happen all day. I’d be up for a ride all day then when it came to the crunch and getting changed and going out in the dark I’d limp out and ride the turbo instead. I got back home and it played out in my head just as I predicted but this time I made myself get changed and go. Within 5 mins of leaving the door I was fine and in my zone.

I haven’t done a night ride for a long time. The lanes were quiet but I didn’t enjoy the cold spray from water run off from waterlogged fields. I did intend to do a bit offroad but not much as the trails would be soaked from recent heavy rain.

My first offroad sector was a really steep climb up the back of Clent through the trees tracking a path that runs parallel to a field. It was just me. Eerily quiet just my heavy breathing and my light pointing out the bigger holes and stones with their bigger shadows. My light was great but the beam was a bit narrow for offroad.

I topped out at the trig point for a pic then gingerly descended back to the lanes before more spray and another chunky climb back up Winwood Heath Lane gradually making my way home back over via the M5 then the Lickeys. I skipped the Waseley Hills as I expected the bridleway off there to be really muddy as it often is but I did ride through the closed car park and a gravel path that runs parallel to the main road.

My last climb was up Beacon Hill just over the back from my house then I caned it home down the descent making the speed indicator sign glow up in red. 34 in a 30. Naughty boy.

90 mins of fun. Loved it