Monday, 23 December 2013

Sunday 23rd December

No write ups for awhile doesn`t mean I`ve not been out cycling, I`ve just been cycling the local lanes  and a lot less mileage! A bright and breezy start this morning and still very mild as I set off at 08.45 on my Raleigh with a wee bit of tinsel on it. But unfortunately I couldn`t wear my Santa hat this year as just a few weeks ago I started wearing a helmet for the first time in 35 years of cycling! But I made do with some tinsel around the helmet. I expected to find more flooded lanes around this morning but I just found some large puddles so no wet feet. This was just going to be another easy peasy ride, so out to Corbets Tey and then onto North Ockendon to Bulphan, the strange thing was I never saw another cyclist! I reached my destination of Langdon Visitor Centre with just 10 miles on the clock and after a coffee and chat with the volunteers, I bought a book about the WW2 P.O.W camp that was just up the road from here. Looked an interesting read and I do like my local history.
Leaving the Visitor Centre I saw at last another cyclist but my friendly greeting fell on death ears as he just ignored me! Retracing my outward route along Doesgate Lane I met some friendly cyclists from the Havering CTC, Chan, Dave and Stephen. After a chat and I had to decline a number of time to join them on their run we parted company and I headed for home via Bulphan and this time Pike Lane. I was indoors by 12.30 with just over 23 miles on the clock, but still a very enjoyable time spent in and out of the saddle.