Post by Dave on May 25, 2015 8:50:03 GMT
Haldon Forrest Kiddens Trail Cycle Ride 24th May 2015
I have been very disappointed with myself lately and only because I got out of the habit of riding my bike. I only started cycling again last year and while I found it hard work, did enjoy a number of the rides I went on. I also lost a good stone and a half, something I really needed to do. But I put all that weight back on again over Christmas sadly, but no one made me eat all I did.
But winter came with its dark nights, cold and rain, but is was more than that, I simply lost any motivation. I have a ride planned I really want to do within the next month, Bridgwater to Taunton and back along the canal path. When it happens I will be meeting up with one of my customers who lives and works in Bridgwater and from his work place we will set of for Taunton.
Every week since Christmas I have been telling myself to get out on the bike at the weekend; I only ever got as far as pumping up the tyres. I was very determined that was going to change this weekend, but I thought the best way would be to add a bit more fun into the ride.
So Haldon Forrest it was then, my bike is a hybrid so no real problems there other than it now has more road friendly tyres on it. Front wheel off and bike loaded into my hatchback off I set. When I got there the car park was full, not sure where everyone was as on my ride I saw no more than half a dozen people.
My plan was to first start on the Discovery Trail, a short ride that was very family friendly, but that never happened. I somehow ended up on what is now called the Kiddens Trail that was formally called the Challenge Trail.
It all started of well enough, one second in the open where trees had been cleared, the next in very dark woodland that gave you that feeling you were the only person left on earth. The trail was rather bumpy and on refection it might have been better if I had put back on the tyres that came with the bike.
I was now risking going faster along the trail, well I thought it seemed fast until two young lads whizzed past me at a frightening pace. There was a time so many moons ago I would have had the courage to ride that fast in a woodland. Things were going just fine but then I had a few of those hearts in mouth moments when the very narrow track dipped down this way and then that with tight turns and trees that for me where just in the wrong place.
But the good news is I stayed on my bike and did not fall off even once, but due to the bumpy surface etc, my legs sure knew I had been out back on my bike. Not the greatest distance I have cycled and I do need to get some more miles in next weekend as the canal ride is nearly thirty miles in total. That ride can take all day if necessary and most likely will.
