I’ve probably cycled the Abberton Reservoir route more times in the past month or so than is usual for this time of year. The main reason that I’ve still only really got access to my road bike. Abberton is a perfect route for this. It has the added bonus of allowing me to stop off towards the end for a brief swim and a freshen up in the spa.
Chapeau!
Wednesday was no different. We always seem to experience something of a run of barmy late Indian summers around the Estuary Wilds this time of year. These are now not freakish, but they have become the norm. If we’re approaching October then it must mean that it’s still 25° or so outside. The aim is to get these rides in on the road bike whilst I still can.
The route remained the same but with ever changing observations in the fields around me. The land has been freshly ploughed. There was a rather invigorating scent of soil rising from down below as I cycled along the lane corridors. It looks a little dry this year, mind.
It was all going so well until I reached the final run in towards Colchester and the gym. My cycling shoes finally gave up on me after years of patching them up. It’s no big deal. It’s just that the hardened sole has been bolted on with various cheapo cheapo superglue solutions every couple of months or so. I think they have finally reached the end of the road.
Also pretty shitty was the hellish approach towards the Hythe. There’s a series of temporary traffic lights on this final stretch. There were some pretty piss poor tailbacks, which I felt obliged to respect rather than queue jump.
I think the lesson to learn here is to always stick to the lanes, try and find an escape route that involves avoiding as many dickhead motorists as possible, and just get out there and ride.
Oh - and perhaps finally make the switch to the new pair of cycling shoes I’ve had stashed away for a few years.
