jonny jeez
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chislehurst, Kent, UK
For a change (and as as a small celebration) I chose to change my route home last night. I ride in a fair bit with a friend who's pace pretty much matches mine crank for crank. He is a lot fitter than I and can pull up the hills much faster.
As a result he rides a more "hilly" route home that I find intimidating and as such I don't join him on the home run.
However last night I decided to have a go... and had the most wonderful ride.
It felt less like a trip home and more like a weekend ride out, as it was a total departure from my "run of the mill journey".
totally broke up the ride.
The new sights and sounds were fleeting and fast, two abreast through deserted Kensington mews (chatting along the way), sunsets over the Thames at Albert bridge, long shadows casting off our backs as we climbed atop Crystal palace, big swoops down towards south norwood past all the standing traffic.
Could easily have ridden on for a few more miles and turned up at home feeling fantastic.
So, if you are struggling with the day to day repetition of your commute (no matter how long or short) perhaps take a night when the weather looks fine, ignore your eta, allow yourself all evening if it needs, pick a totally different way home...and just ride!
Really helps to remind you that cycling is an enjoyment not just a means of travel to work.
As a result he rides a more "hilly" route home that I find intimidating and as such I don't join him on the home run.
However last night I decided to have a go... and had the most wonderful ride.
It felt less like a trip home and more like a weekend ride out, as it was a total departure from my "run of the mill journey".
totally broke up the ride.
The new sights and sounds were fleeting and fast, two abreast through deserted Kensington mews (chatting along the way), sunsets over the Thames at Albert bridge, long shadows casting off our backs as we climbed atop Crystal palace, big swoops down towards south norwood past all the standing traffic.
Could easily have ridden on for a few more miles and turned up at home feeling fantastic.
So, if you are struggling with the day to day repetition of your commute (no matter how long or short) perhaps take a night when the weather looks fine, ignore your eta, allow yourself all evening if it needs, pick a totally different way home...and just ride!
Really helps to remind you that cycling is an enjoyment not just a means of travel to work.