V2

This month done two Sportives which isn’t normally my thing!

First was a club local to me, and with the local club, very social with brilliant feed stops, but being 100% on road I was rather slow!

Last weekend had a Gravel sportive nr my folks place, was vaguely sociable in that I did chat to folks at speed stops and while riding but clearly not folks I knew!

But honour was mine, as I was faster and cleared the technical sections as well that’s my skill set!

I really enjoyed both though for slightly different reasons!

Can’t remember where I found out about it, but discovered Sarn Helen road (claimed Roman maybe older) that runs north to South Wales, and passes close to folks place.

So this visit to Wales persuaded Paul to attempt it, and so he could show off his E-MTB!

Truely epic land, and views.

A fair few Hike a bike on way up, much less on way down! And some really interesting bits and bobs, and riding plus chance to meet a friend again!

I went up for a few days, to the Peak District as I’d heard about Mam Tor and the broken road, which had suffered various landslides and so eventually had been abandoned, and it interested me! And it didn’t disappoint!

And as happened, during that week Snake Pass had been closed to cars, as it had a few landslides though not as bad! So rode up that, lovely traffic free climb! And spectacular views!

I did also visit the plug hole! Which was flowing nicely!

Sadly next day was wet! So had Winnats Pass which is a spectacular gorge, and the moors over to the Monsal trail which is a old railway line in a gorge with a truly improbable and impressive amount of tunnels and Viaducts!

I was quite wet and cold by that point so very glad of the cafe in Miller Dale station!

Back over the moors to Castleton, I did have a wee wander up Cavedale gorge, and views to the Castle, again soggy!

So start of the month, had Sara’s Birthday celebrations which had lots of folks and two big events plus travel there and home!

And I topped off that week by going to http://www.dittonsvelo.org.uk Christmas Party which was a lovely and I got a medal!

I hadn’t thought I’d manage even some of that week let alone all, particularly the Christmas party.

It shows how far I’m come and learnt to adjust to the brain injury.

The anniversary was on the Christmas party, so you’ll have to forgive some pride!

From next week I’m going part time, has been Sara’s initial idea as I’m permanently exhausted, medical term for it is Fatigue

I have been aware that I’m probably doing to much, the consultant essentially said as much as well as some other medical bods who concisely have been advising that I need to be “kind to myself”.

I have high hopes I’ll feel a lot better, and energy for life, clearly for myself I’m hopeful of cycling! But also more sensible bits of life as well!

Just back from watching Top Gun at Hampton Court, Luna Cinema.

Bit of a mix bag in that we loved watching the film, though it really hasn’t aged well!

But since my balance requires light and hates soft surfaces, and crowds bit of struggle moving about both after the film ended and during as the only toilet was the one in the wilderness so a fair distance in low light.

So I did enjoyed it but I did also endure it so not sure I’d do it again as took a lot of effort, and has made my vestibular system go haywire, which it will do for few hrs yet!

Been down to Wales and wanted to go up the Gap which is a pre Roman road over the Brecon Beacons.

And somewhere that I’d ridden in the past on fairly basic MTB no suspension etc, with friends.

Was a lovely ride up and over the hills and the views are spectacular!

Sadly the Gap road has got very rough from peak down. Probably 4×4 use.

And it’s tipped from a Rocky but flowing downhill to having to pick your way down. But the views are just as spectacular!

Last week I was able to visit family and friends most of which I’ve not seen for 8 months at least!

I did also do a fair bit of cycling, from exploring Big Pit with Paul to climbing the Cuckoo!

Over a year since COVID19 arrived and a lot has changed some not good, due to the my work some deaths, and it has been hard adjusting for various people.

But most folks I know now have had at least one vaccination if not both. And at least in the uk things are getting brighter, and restrictions are lifting bit by bit. Went out on a bike ride with other people!

I am concerned that it isn’t over, looking at Europe and further away hence the Churchill quote!

We do live in interesting times do we not!

Had the first dose of the COVID19 vaccine today, as someone who is KeyWorker and all that.

It’s fairly grim now, which I had suspected being a cynical old git! See below!

Winter has arrived! But though I suspect that it’s not the end yet, it’s the beginning of the end to quote Churchill!