Taylor
New Member
- Location
- Elham Valley (Canterbury) Kent
Today I cycled to the Train Station to trial the route for my commute to work. I decided there are so many reasons to start riding to the station in an effort to cut down on fuel, the enviroment and for me the main reason to get fit. I'm now a 17st 5lb bloke, you wouldn't believe I tried out for the Royal Marines Reserves years ago, but sadly I have lost track with a healthy living for around the last 10yrs. so it was time to change.
My route to Bekesbourne station is 7 miles from my home in the Elham Valley and takes me through Bladbean Bishopsbourne and Bridge. This area is the deepest darkest downs, lots of hills and potential for spills. I gave myself an hour to get there and when I took a wrong turn on the way, it did indeed take me an hour. In the future i'd like this to be around 40mins. I only had 6 cars pass me on the whole route going and apart from one car all were very good and kept well clear.
What it did highlight is don't forget your drink (I did), Don't wear a thermal vest (I did), bike & brakes need a service and I was all over the road, so I need to work on this. Also i'm going to be walking up a lot of hills to start. It bloody hurt on the first hill until I got off 10 seconds into it. I was coughing my guts up even though i said to my better half "i'll be straight up that hill no problem" i was talking bo**ocks it hurt a lot and I nearly turned back home.
Well I pushed through and made it to Bekesbourne station. However my biggest fear was yet to come, coming back was going to be harder as it was more up hill. Well I walked a lot of this route, but did myself proud pushing myself to ride as much as possible. Again all cars were very good giving me plenty of room (I needed it). When it all went wrong I took a wrong turn and only realized when I was a the top of this huge long hill. There was no way I was going back down, so i pushed on and found a route using local sign posts. I still remember saying to my better half "I don't need the maps I know the route" after driving it just once, again a load of Bo**ocks.
Anyway after a very bad bout of cramp in my right thigh, which I didn't think was going to stop. I made it home riding down hill and the flats and walking up them.
Because of my error regarding the route I have just found out I cycled 17 miles in 2.5hours today, the longest ride i've ever done on a bike in my life. Not bad for a fat bloke (well I did walk some of it). It hasn't put me off I'll be doing this ride regular as soon as I get the bike serviced and if you see a bloke in this area wearing a matt black Giro flak helmet and a Claud Butler Mountain Bike (and new lungs) remember he's in a lot of pain and talks a load of Bo**cks.
I'll let you know when I take the second trip this time it will be for work. PS if you want a good hard ride try this area around Bladbean, Stelling Minis and Bishopsbourne. Pick any route you like, it will test you and its beautiful. Thanks Taylor
My route to Bekesbourne station is 7 miles from my home in the Elham Valley and takes me through Bladbean Bishopsbourne and Bridge. This area is the deepest darkest downs, lots of hills and potential for spills. I gave myself an hour to get there and when I took a wrong turn on the way, it did indeed take me an hour. In the future i'd like this to be around 40mins. I only had 6 cars pass me on the whole route going and apart from one car all were very good and kept well clear.
What it did highlight is don't forget your drink (I did), Don't wear a thermal vest (I did), bike & brakes need a service and I was all over the road, so I need to work on this. Also i'm going to be walking up a lot of hills to start. It bloody hurt on the first hill until I got off 10 seconds into it. I was coughing my guts up even though i said to my better half "i'll be straight up that hill no problem" i was talking bo**ocks it hurt a lot and I nearly turned back home.
Well I pushed through and made it to Bekesbourne station. However my biggest fear was yet to come, coming back was going to be harder as it was more up hill. Well I walked a lot of this route, but did myself proud pushing myself to ride as much as possible. Again all cars were very good giving me plenty of room (I needed it). When it all went wrong I took a wrong turn and only realized when I was a the top of this huge long hill. There was no way I was going back down, so i pushed on and found a route using local sign posts. I still remember saying to my better half "I don't need the maps I know the route" after driving it just once, again a load of Bo**ocks.
Anyway after a very bad bout of cramp in my right thigh, which I didn't think was going to stop. I made it home riding down hill and the flats and walking up them.
Because of my error regarding the route I have just found out I cycled 17 miles in 2.5hours today, the longest ride i've ever done on a bike in my life. Not bad for a fat bloke (well I did walk some of it). It hasn't put me off I'll be doing this ride regular as soon as I get the bike serviced and if you see a bloke in this area wearing a matt black Giro flak helmet and a Claud Butler Mountain Bike (and new lungs) remember he's in a lot of pain and talks a load of Bo**cks.
I'll let you know when I take the second trip this time it will be for work. PS if you want a good hard ride try this area around Bladbean, Stelling Minis and Bishopsbourne. Pick any route you like, it will test you and its beautiful. Thanks Taylor
