a hard ride
Decided to take the Cannondale hardtail out for a ride this morning and seeing as I was lacking in imagination I did the same route as I did last week around Badbury Rings, although this week there were some subtle differences. First it was a lot colder, second, it was more slippery in places than last week due to the rain of the past week. I knew it was cold when I got the bike out the shed and loaded the car which is why I put my long sleeved base layer on with a normal T shirt over the top. It was even colder in the wind swept car park at Badbury Rings, I put my rain jacket on it was that cold, it is only the second ever time I have worn it.
The first half mile was a surprise to my butt as it has been pampered for the last few month of sitting on the Whyte’s full suspension. Apart from a few slippery moments the ride was pretty uneventful, no ninja squirrels this week although I saw three deer two of which crossed the trail about 20ft in front of me and I chased several groups (flocks?? they were running not flying) of Pheasants up the trail, embarrassed to admit but one of these groups of Pheasants were running faster that I was cycling…………..it was up hill!!
The biggest surprise of the ride (not actually related to me or my riding) was a field, last week this field was a sun baked, ploughed and raked field (is that the term) ready for sowing, this week the entire field was a mass of 2″ green shoots. Sometimes it hard to imagine that much growth in a week.
Still have to make my mind up what bike I am going to ride on next Saturday Wiggles ride around the New Forest, they are calling it an XC ride so I may well choose the Cannodale, see how I feel after a long ride tomorrow.
Added another item to my cycling wardrobe today, Mountain Warehouse have their winter cycling range in store and I picked up a new cycling jersey. It is fleeced back and front with the back going down over your butt and has nylon side panels, if I had had it this morning I would of been wearing it.
