Fantastic day weather wise, but I'm feeling the results of all this off roading, it really is more demanding than road riding on my Giant. So I just did the Waseley, Lickey loop for just short of 11 miles. My legs are seriously starting to be fatigued now. The last climb over the Lickey's was a load more demanding than usual.
The photo above is my tribute to Bruce over at Coastrider one of my favourite blogs. Bruce is lifting his Pugsley up with a cool sunrise and a snowy landscape. I've had to make do with a Worcestershire background and a brilliant Oak Tree when I lifted my Marin. This is taken on top of the Waseley Hill's looking South West, I've just slogged up that hill behind me!
For a change I actually stopped by the small pool by Barnt Green Yacht Club, a very pretty spot as you can see.
Just after I took this I had some some locals stop by and say hello.
A pair of Mallards obviously looking for a feed!
This boy obviously doesn't need to ask for grub, he doesn't look too starved to me!
The ride was very pleasant, but like I said, may legs are starting to suffer now.
Stats here:
Started: 17 Jun 2010 06:47:48
Ride Time: 1:36:19
Stopped Time: 0:00
Distance: 10.77 miles
Average: 6.71 miles/hr
Fastest Speed: 36.18 miles/hr
Climb: 817 feet
Calories: 629
Route here:
I got home, chucked my Ridgeback and wifey's Specialized into my car so we could both pedal down the cut from Alvechurch to Tardebigge.
I had been looking forward to this all week, I had told wifey that she sets the pace, stops when she wants and I'll just follow her lead.
We unloaded the bikes at the Crown Pub in Alvechurch and set off along the canal, after a bit of a drama with wifey getting used to gears on a bike again we settled down into a good pedal. The canal was looking its best, the sun was out and all was right with the world. The pedal took us over Shortwood Tunnel which involved a bit of a route a tad more rougher than the towpath which wifey coped with admirably, if occasionally a bit wobbly!
Before we knew it we were at Tardebigge and Anglo Welsh Canal Holiday boats HQ.
. 
Our bikes parked up at Tardebigge.
Yours truly enjoying a drink at Tardebigge.
Anglo Welsh Holiday Boats.
Birmingham and Worcester Canal at Tardebigge.
All too soon it was time to turn around a pedal back to Alvechurch, which was just a matter of retracing our steps.
On the way we saw this huge Wood Driad fungi which is eadible by the way. It's the biggest clump I've ever seen! Wifey's bike giving you a sense of scale.
The thing about this pedal was that it was one of the most enjoyable pedals I've done since I've been back cycling. I think the main reasons for this were that I wasn't intent on competing with myself and riding myself into the ground as Wifey was pace setting and we were chatting all the way along the route. I hope this is the first of many trips we have on the bikes together.
Stats here:
Started: 17 Jun 2010 09:37:31
Ride Time: 1:07:04
Stopped Time: 7:58
Distance: 6.05 miles
Average: 5.42 miles/hr
Fastest Speed: 13.45 miles/hr
Climb: 174 feet
Calories: 350
Route here:
Ok it wasn't the furthest and it certainly wasn't the fastest, but bloody hell did I enjoy it. And more importantly so did wifey. And bear in mind my first pedal back a year ago was a towpath 6 miler, so she did brilliantly!
After we got home we had a quick ablute and went over to the Dodford for a pub lunch and a pint.
All in all a top day!
The only embuggerance was when I entered the stats for today's pedals into Phill's sheet I saw I was only .57 of a mile from completing 100 leisure miles! Not to worry though, I'm off out tomorrow on my Marin.
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Wow, sounds like a fantastic day...thanks for both pedal stories. Keep pushing yourself and motivating others along the way. I think you guys stole our Canadian Summer....we've had nothing but rain.
ReplyDeleteDarryl
Thanks mate, it was a good day!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great day!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lindsay, it was. Welcome to the blog by the way! :-)
ReplyDelete