Saluki
World class procrastinator
- Location
- ...Norwich over the water.
Back from our saunter into Norwich Halfords after they sent me an email saying that my order number was such and such and that I could collect my Garmin from 1pm today as it was put aside for me. Got there at 2pm and there was no Garmin! No Garmins to be had at all and they were not expecting a delivery for a week. I showed them the email and the bloke shrugged and said 'hard luck'. Different chap from last time I might add.
The route into Norwich was my usual route towards the hospital but turned off through Eaton, along past the UEA and then along various cyclepaths into the city. From bloody Halfrauds we rode to the top of Duke Street and then turned off our bike computers and walked to Pilch's bike shop and bought a Garmin Edge Touring and some brake blocks from them instead. Had a lovely chat and then headed off to a pub by the river to find some coffee and to do some brake fettling. It was here I discovered that I only had half of my multi-tool thing. Ken had taken the other half out of my saddle bag and not put it back. I hadn't checked it as I KNEW that I'd not taken anything out since I last checked. That'll learn me.
After a 20 min rest, coffee, crisps and a good old whinge about Halfords customer dis-service (back to my usual thoughts on them now I'm afraid) we cycled off along the riverside path, very slowly as it was packed today. Then doglegged through the edge of the city to The Marriotts Way and rode along it until the tarmac ran out at Marlpit Lane. Cycled half way up Marlpit and walked the rest as its a bit of a stiff hill that one and neither of us were feeling fabulous by now as we are not as fit as we could be.
Once up at the top (we overtook a lass pushing her 1970's ladies 'racer' who was walking more slowly than us) we got back on and headed towards Bowthorpe and its cycle lanes. My old brake blocks are a lot to be desired at the moment so the downy bits were interesting in the extreme. We slogged up Chapel Break to New Road - the nice road to Bawburgh and then turned left at the bottom and up Stocks Hill. This is a nice hill, if such a thing exists. Its in 3 parts. The first bit is the worst and then there is a false flat where we stopped and had a breather. Then there is another little bit and then a flat/down-ish/flat bit where we had another breather and then its the last push to the top where it meets the B1108.
From there we rode via Little Melton (pretty but not as pretty as Bawburgh) and to the outskirst of Wymondham. We dived through the middle, despite the horrid and narrow hill past the library where the car drivers lack patience and home.
27.81 miles in 2 hours 35 mins or so. My trip computer decided to reset itself half way up our stairs for a reason only known to itself.
My new Garmin is now plugged in to the mains and charging
We'll take it out and play with it tomorrow. I have to finish my cuppa now and then get out and do a bit of fettling on my poor Giant which has somehow got really filthy.
The route into Norwich was my usual route towards the hospital but turned off through Eaton, along past the UEA and then along various cyclepaths into the city. From bloody Halfrauds we rode to the top of Duke Street and then turned off our bike computers and walked to Pilch's bike shop and bought a Garmin Edge Touring and some brake blocks from them instead. Had a lovely chat and then headed off to a pub by the river to find some coffee and to do some brake fettling. It was here I discovered that I only had half of my multi-tool thing. Ken had taken the other half out of my saddle bag and not put it back. I hadn't checked it as I KNEW that I'd not taken anything out since I last checked. That'll learn me.
After a 20 min rest, coffee, crisps and a good old whinge about Halfords customer dis-service (back to my usual thoughts on them now I'm afraid) we cycled off along the riverside path, very slowly as it was packed today. Then doglegged through the edge of the city to The Marriotts Way and rode along it until the tarmac ran out at Marlpit Lane. Cycled half way up Marlpit and walked the rest as its a bit of a stiff hill that one and neither of us were feeling fabulous by now as we are not as fit as we could be.
Once up at the top (we overtook a lass pushing her 1970's ladies 'racer' who was walking more slowly than us) we got back on and headed towards Bowthorpe and its cycle lanes. My old brake blocks are a lot to be desired at the moment so the downy bits were interesting in the extreme. We slogged up Chapel Break to New Road - the nice road to Bawburgh and then turned left at the bottom and up Stocks Hill. This is a nice hill, if such a thing exists. Its in 3 parts. The first bit is the worst and then there is a false flat where we stopped and had a breather. Then there is another little bit and then a flat/down-ish/flat bit where we had another breather and then its the last push to the top where it meets the B1108.
From there we rode via Little Melton (pretty but not as pretty as Bawburgh) and to the outskirst of Wymondham. We dived through the middle, despite the horrid and narrow hill past the library where the car drivers lack patience and home.
27.81 miles in 2 hours 35 mins or so. My trip computer decided to reset itself half way up our stairs for a reason only known to itself.
My new Garmin is now plugged in to the mains and charging
We'll take it out and play with it tomorrow. I have to finish my cuppa now and then get out and do a bit of fettling on my poor Giant which has somehow got really filthy.
)... then back home again... arriving home having done the 84km needed to complete a silly strava challenge (
). I needed 304km this week, I've done 308km... think I may have a quieter day tomorrow on the mountain bike because I have another busy week on the bike next week 
... 
(1st of the year and only my 2nd ever) and not one of those short continental types either.
I did consider just carrying on anyway, but realistically it would have caused a problem if they weren't put back so I reluctantly headed back to return them to their rightful owner.
) so it was the alternative route to Acton Burnell then Cressage before turning north to Wroxeter where I had my second breakfast.
, one of which made me fear I was going to actually get hit. Not good. I did get back safe though and after one final slight detour just to be certain of my mileage I was very glad to reach home.
. Taking stops into account I was out for almost exactly 9 hours. Quite chuffed with that.
