Back in the saddle...

Well the snow finally melted way under a light splattering of rain on Friday.  I was quite relieved and even happier on Sunday when the sun shone.  I set out for my usual "Sunday" bike ride, realising that I had not been in the saddle since boxing day I was determined to ignore the fact that I was slightly saddle sore and to finally extend my Sunday ride to about 25 miles, taking in the horror that is Ingarsby Lane and Baggrave Park.  I tried not to look at my new Garmin gadget too much, but was happy to hear a little beep every four to five minutes (depending on how hilly) to say I had clocked up another mile.

As my 17 miles drew to an end and I was seconds from my front door, I gave myself and really good talking to and turned in the opposite direction down the Lane and heading towards Baggrave Park.  A little way down the Lane I began to feel a "thud thud" on my back wheel, had a quick glimpse and everything seemed ok..."thud thud" continued and I soon stopped when I realised I had a puncture.  I was really dissapointed after giving myself such a good talking to. 

So happy that I burnt off 590 calories, but dissapointed that it ended to rapidly and I couldn't get the distance in.  Here's to next Sunday?

(My main concern about walking back up the hill was that people might pass me by and think I couldn't cope with the ride!)


Time: 01:44:54
Distance: 18.42 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,086 ft
Calories: 590 C
Avg Temperature: 57.2 °F

The purgatory that is Ingarsby Lane

One of my favourite routes that I have been building on involves a road called Ingarsby Lane, it takes me about a nano second to get from the top to the bottom of the lane and higher speed of 33.45 mph.  Coming back it takes me 10 minutes exactly to get from the bottom to the top, with landmarks on the way that I mentally tick off as I pass them:

• The new house
• The bridge
• The area where there has been a fire
• The DMV (Deserted Medieval Village)
• The Hall
• The tree on the corner (I know I am nearly up the hill by then)
• The riding stables
• The first view of the first house
• The last hill...

Cycling past the wall of the Hall on Ingarsby Lane

It is my challenge to build on my ten minutes from bottom to top and to knock off a minute here and there - but it really is purgatory, particularly if you have just cycled 10 or so miles the other side of it.