After a lovely, but messy, 4 and a bit mile ride with my 7 yr old Granddaughter along the Brampton Valley Way yesterday that she really enjoyed (I'm proud of her not moaning about the puddles and mucky leggings and coat!), I got the chance to get out for a longer ride today.
As the wind was blowing a hooley from the SSW, I headed SSW to get it over and done with, hoping for a tailwind(ish) for the ride back towards home. It kind of worked out like that, but, with the vagaries of wind, it was swirling around in all directions for most of the day. Good plan though!
Along the way, I rode a few miles with a chap out for some fresh air and a circuit of the town before I headed leftwards to the canal banks and under the M1 to Rothersthorpe Locks.
Not as talkative as the previous person, but friendly enough, in a wiry sort of way..
When I set off again, I had to slow down behind a fellow on an MTB as the path was a bit narrow. As it widened to a pair of vehicle ruts, I pulled up alongside and said hello ( I do that, you know
) and during the chat, discovered that he works for the Canal Board, and rides 15 miles every shift, checking the locks are OK and the many boats and barges are licensed etc. What a cracking job! Paid to ride a bike up and down the canals.. I could do that!
As expected, the canal banks were a bit muddy and slippery, especially with my Marathon Plus tyres. Still, all good handling practice.. Once I reached the Watson Lane bridge over the canal, I decided to get back on some tarmac as the banks deteriorate even more further on. I had not ridden the lanes in this area before and was enjoying the new vistas across open countryside as I was being blown from side to side on the narrow road. Still, cake beckoned at Salcey, once I'd found out exactly where I was, and got back onto roads I thought I knew. I did try a new bridleway to cut the corner of towards Blisworth, but either my navigation was wrong, or the farmer had ploughed over the track. I suspect the latter as the sign was pointing thataway. Backtracking by a mile, I was on a bike path alongside the A43 dual carriageway until I could turn off to more pleasant roads to cycle.
Once into Salcey, I had a hunk of cake and a coffee to replenish the calories, and then did a 5 mile circuit of the forest that often isn't easy as it's a very popular place for kids and dogwalkers. Today, probably due to the weather, it was really quiet. For the first 3 miles, I saw more deer than people, two of which (deer) crossed over the trail about 50 feet in front of me. Some of the circuit was muddy and slippery where they've been doing some logging, but most was just mucky with care being needed on the corners.
Once out of Salcey, I aimed homewards across more open field roads and the plan worked, to a degree, and the fierce winds were not straight in my face, and occasionally gave me a boost..
Back home on 44 miles, windswept (and interesting) but warm & dry. I did have to give the bike a really good de-mud though..
https://www.strava.com/activities/429513216
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