To the Northern Gateway! For the first track training session of the spring! Chapeau! But first, let’s ‘service’ the road bike. It’s been in the back of the shed throughout the winter months. If you own a white bicycle, then there’s no bloody way that it’s getting an outing during the DIRTY winter months. The service involved oiling the chain and putting some air in the tyres. Job’s a good ‘un.
I rolled out, feeling a little uncertain and lightweight. The frame is so agile. I’ve been spoilt by riding an absolute bloody beast of an electric hybrid. But sometimes you want the simplicity and beauty of a bicycle that you pick up with a few fingers, and then be fancy free and FAST as you make your way over to the Northern Gateway.
Oh yeah - the bloody Northern Gateway. The complex is ACE. The track is superb to ride. It’s just an absolute arse to get there from this side of town. It’s pretty shitty that the town / city’s major public leisure complex is only really accessible in a crappy car. It would get far more patronage from me if there was at least a dedicated cycle path heading up there.
I rocked up at the track, and bloody hell - I’ve got it all to myself. I had forty five minutes of putting my foot down on the pedals and completing my own personal time trial. Windy Corner at the far end of the track was thankfully closed off with bollards. I think this was more in anticipation of the Wellbeing Wheels session that was to follow after my ride. I followed the guidance and was happy to avoid this particularly nasty stretch of the track. I didn’t change gear once throughout the forty five minutes of time trialling.
Chapeau!
