I have stayed in since the lockdown began. I decided to head out on an actual bike today. The weather will break here soon and, whilst the rollers in the back garden are ok, it cannot compare to actual road riding.
I decided to take the old green Saracen mountain bike. It has pretty narrow tyres on it and I can attach a pannier to it on the extreme off chance that I can find some eggs.
Ah eggs. We haven't seen an egg in any shop since this all started. I only want one. I have a new 2lb loaf tin and the family have requested another ginger cake. Trouble is, you need an egg.
The weather is wonderful. Warm with a steady breeze. Has the 150 miles on the rollers made any difference to my total lack of fitness? Off we go then. Off to a farm that often has a box with eggs and an honesty box at the side of the road. It is on the outskirts of Brewood so I head that way feeling my way on what is the first time on the road since Christmas Day. The sun is warm on my arms, legs and head and I settle into a rhythm slower than usual but steady.
There are more cars than I expected but all of them gave me the widest of passes. There were more folks out jogging along the Brewood road than I have ever seen before and a few other cyclists all coming the other way.
I reach the farm which is down a notorious cut through lane for folks heading to the A5 and the M6. Way fewer cars today though. No eggs though. The sign is there but the cool box isn't. Enough cars still come through here. Shall I go home? No, I know of another farm more on the road to nowhere than this one.
Cycling through Brewood, I notice an honesty box or possibly a charity stand on the side of the road. A few tins, packets of pasta and even a couple of toilet rolls. Good effort whoever that is!
A good few miles pass with me trying to keep my heart rate below what is my guesstimated maximum.
The rest of the ride is my usual loop. Things have changed since I was last through including, a lovely length of new Tarmac. A few bits of fly tipping which isn't good. I know the tip is closed but a pox upon you nethertheless.
All the usual places are shut. The Spiderweb Cafe, Cosford museum and Boscobel House. Back home a bit slower than I could have managed. I even stopped to salvage some litter as padding because BEHOLD:
25 miles and a successful mission! The ride will hold good memories whilst I use the rollers during next week.
On a bike?
In Hawick the lockdown was not so obvious as it is in Gala. A friend's mum, who lives in Hawick, is of the opinion that like the railway, freeview, or MacDonalds if it ever gets to Hawick it will be years after Gala gets it. 
