Just Came Back

[Python]

From exploring some of the cycle paths in our area. I wish I'd taken the camera because there are some really nice views and the sun was beginning to set. At approximately 200 yard intervals, there are bench seats all the way along for people to rest on. I took advantage of one for a few minutes and it was just so peaceful.

There were quite a few people out walking their dogs and that was the one thing that annoyed me. Although the dogs were well behaved, most of them were off the lead and their owners wouldn't move out of the way or call their dogs back. Half of the track is marked off for cyclists and the other half for pedestrians. It's a fairly wide track so there's plenty of room for both. If I'd been a bit more confident in riding my bike, I would not have stopped for them. However, I'll keep that for another day.

I estimate I probably rode about 4 miles in all, a lot of it uphill. I confess I had to dismount at one point and walk the bike up about 30 yards. Not a lot, but a start. The only thing that made me go home was it was beginning to get dark and I haven't got lights on the bike yet - the ones I want are out of stock but should be in early next week.

I had a practice at the gears. Hmm. Change gear - wobble a lot

Hand signals - wobble a lot.

Found I prefer 3rd gear for going up hills and top gear for downhill or on the flat - not a lot of pedalling and whoosh! Off she goes

I must get one of those little computers that tells you what speed your doing and how far you've gone etc.

In the meantime, I'm sitting here with probably the nicest tasting coffee I've had in a long time...complete with jelly legs

[Bruno28]

Well done to you! Saw your purple helmet in Halfords but no sign of the spider one. I bought a dark grey one - me, I'm all talk.

That dog thing drives me absolutely crazy as well.

[Python]

The spider helmet's in ASDA Walmart. I had another look at it last night when I went up there (we'd run out of sugar). It's OK but doesn't have a great deal of adjustment where the purple helmet has that dial thing on the back and is a really good fit. I had it on tonight and it was really comfortable.

My legs feel like they're starting to recover now. Hope they don't feel like jelly every time I take the bike for a run LOL.

[pooks]

You're making me turn green with envy! Oh, to be in Wiltshire on a bike trail!

It sounds like you're doing great. And a purple helmet sounds wonderful.

[Bad JuJu]

Sounds like you had a lovely ride. And I love dogs, but not loose on the bike trail--that's so irritating, and dangerous. Isn't there a leash-law or something that requires people to keep their dogs on a lead? Or are people simply ignoring it?

[Python]

As far as I know the leash rule only applies to where there's traffic. Where these cycle routes are there is no traffic, just cyclists, pedestrians...and dogs.

It wasn't so much the dogs, they were doing what dogs do, sniffing around at the verges, it was the owners who wouldn't get out of the way. Still, I enjoyed the run and will explore other routes tomorrow. Hope the weather stays dry. It lashed with rain this morning and part of the afternoon, then the sun came out and it was really pleasant.

I'll take my camera next time and post some pics.

[mary9761]

I got the spider one at a WalMart here in Indy as well. I did just however get myself a new Trek Vapor3 in a black. I'll be striping it up with a red reflective tape eventually to make it more visable.
Congrats on the ride. With practice, the hand signals, shifting etc will get easier with less wobble. Enjoy your bike!