Whilst I haven't written about them, I have been out these last week's, it's just every time the weather was truly foul with torrential rain and wind and it was just a case of getting to the end. Today though, in complete contrast was stunning and I managed a sneaky ride to the waterworks. Just like sections of Britain, we've been battered by the storms here, which have come after a sustained period of unsettled and wet weather. The river is high and looks impressive, but whilst it's burst its banks, it's only flooded the washlands that are there as the first layer of flood defence.
I headed west under beautiful skies, it was just so nice to see blue sky for a change. The paths are strewn with small branches and needles from the trees and every so often a fallen tree blocks the way.
I'm following the Northern bank of the river and my path is just above the flood plain and I stop to watch the river flow past just next to me.
The sun has some warmth too it and it's so nice to not have to wear my full winter layers as I ride, however, it is still relatively low in the sky and looks stunning as it reflects through the trees and onto the flooded land.
The path alternates between dry sandy soil to gravel and through to full quagmire, often within a few hundred metres and the ride is challenging and fun.
After 12 kilometres I'm heading past the flooded horse paddocks and down to the crossing at the water works. The river is high here and thundering through the weirs and the hum of the turbines can be heard.
As I swing back east the wind is on my back and the trail turns to hard packed gravel. I'm flying along for a few kilometres before the first fallen tree blocks my way.
It's like this for the rest of the way back, slamoning between the fallen trees, sometimes lifting the bike, other times bunny hopping or weaving my way off-road. It adds another layer of fun and enjoyment to a lovely 24km ride in the sun and these are the days I love after the hard cold rides in deep winter, it seems that spring is not so far away.
