I took a five day weekend (Thursday to Monday) with the intention of testing my endurance, seeing some of the country and unburdening myself of some of my worries. I’m always happier when I’m thoroughly exhausted and fully occupied. Fortunately both Julia and Chris were about to share the experience of feeding my ADHD.The first goal was to compete the David Ryan Circuit of the Cotswolds route (a very good cause). At 100miles and added to Woodcote this would give almost 200miles for the week. This was intended as preparation for L’Eroica but I shied away from using the Holdsworth and from battering round the whole lot in a day. It is greatly more pleasurable to do over two days than one and I got to lift my head and look at the lovely scenery. I also got to stop for tea and to eat something other than pure sugar.
The scenery was definitely worth looking at and the wildlife was abundant. I saw at least three species of raptor and a 'Brock' hole at Brockhampton. We stopped at Whichford Pottery more in the hope that it would have café than anything else but it had the most wonderful courtyard garden I’ve ever seen. What is more the pottery is a real manufacturing concern producing really high grade ceramics for home and garden. I was amazed to see commercial throwing in the UK. I would certainly have bought a rhubarb forcer had I not been on the bike.
We did 56miles on day one before holing up at Wesley House in Winchcombe. The rooms were excellent as were the kippers but we ate dinner at the pub just up the road which did quite a line in sausages. Day two was fairly faithful to the spirit of the route with the exception of one climb which I accidentally circumvented (ahem). By the time we dragged ourselves back to Witney we were about three miles short of the hundred and in no mood to do an extra loop just to make up the difference. The Cotswolds are hilly and, pretty as they are, I've seen enough of them for one year.
On Saturday Chris and I went for a tour (my third) of Bletchley Park. This is always fun and I’m getting to the point where I’m starting to know what the guides have missed out. Afterwards I cleaned and adjusted the bikes and we did a 16 mile loop out through Stewkley (stopping for a pint) and back via Newton Longville. Four hours later (after a tactical kip and a two mile walk) we were back in Newton Longville for dinner at the Crooked Billet. It was generally excellent though I wouldn’t have the pigeon again. The lamb was much superior.
Maj and I were somewhat weakened on Sunday (maybe a dodgy Pringle) but we dragged ourselves off for a six mile run before lunch. It was fairly fast out and fairly measured coming back but when he eventually left for some glamorous London party (by rail-replacement bus service) I was thoroughly pooped and retreated to the sofa with some Jeeves.
On Monday I successfully avoided any exercise for most of the day by pottering about the house, cooking and gardening; and by buying frames for various artworks. By mid afternoon there was no avoiding it however and Julia and I set off on our weekend ‘long run’. I can’t say that I had weak legs, pain or even CV problems but it was certainly hard work generating the inner oomph to go faster the eight minute miles. In the end we did a total of 16miles; ten of these were at sub 3:30 marathon pace. That leaves six miles which will have a veil drawn over them
I’m now officially pooped.
We did 56miles on day one before holing up at Wesley House in Winchcombe. The rooms were excellent as were the kippers but we ate dinner at the pub just up the road which did quite a line in sausages. Day two was fairly faithful to the spirit of the route with the exception of one climb which I accidentally circumvented (ahem). By the time we dragged ourselves back to Witney we were about three miles short of the hundred and in no mood to do an extra loop just to make up the difference. The Cotswolds are hilly and, pretty as they are, I've seen enough of them for one year.On Saturday Chris and I went for a tour (my third) of Bletchley Park. This is always fun and I’m getting to the point where I’m starting to know what the guides have missed out. Afterwards I cleaned and adjusted the bikes and we did a 16 mile loop out through Stewkley (stopping for a pint) and back via Newton Longville. Four hours later (after a tactical kip and a two mile walk) we were back in Newton Longville for dinner at the Crooked Billet. It was generally excellent though I wouldn’t have the pigeon again. The lamb was much superior.
Maj and I were somewhat weakened on Sunday (maybe a dodgy Pringle) but we dragged ourselves off for a six mile run before lunch. It was fairly fast out and fairly measured coming back but when he eventually left for some glamorous London party (by rail-replacement bus service) I was thoroughly pooped and retreated to the sofa with some Jeeves.
On Monday I successfully avoided any exercise for most of the day by pottering about the house, cooking and gardening; and by buying frames for various artworks. By mid afternoon there was no avoiding it however and Julia and I set off on our weekend ‘long run’. I can’t say that I had weak legs, pain or even CV problems but it was certainly hard work generating the inner oomph to go faster the eight minute miles. In the end we did a total of 16miles; ten of these were at sub 3:30 marathon pace. That leaves six miles which will have a veil drawn over them
I’m now officially pooped.
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