It's the penultimate day of my cycling week and to date, this week, I've cycled 70 miles. Tomorrow, if I ride to Botley Hill as planned, I will have completed 84 miles of cycling. Last week, if I remember correctly, it was 72 miles and the week before that a mere 60 miles. The week before it was 48 miles and before that 36 miles. It seems like an age ago when I was riding the suburban streets of where I live, never more than a 10-minute walk from my house, but still getting a fairly good work-out from Norfolk Avenue, which I approached from both ends during the 36 and 48 mile sessions.
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| A boring image of the view from the Tatsfield Bus Stop...great weather! |
Today, I left the house around noon. To be honest, I can't remember what time I left, but instead of riding to the roundabout just beyond Botley Hill I carried on towards the Tatsfield Bus Stop. My original plan had been to ride down Titsey Hill into Oxted for a mooch around and a bit of pointless window shopping. The last time I was there was just prior to the lockdown when people were still allowed in restaurants. I remember the Deep Blue fish & chip restaurant, sparsely peopled and about to close, but there was time for me to enjoy (if that's the right word) tomato and basil soup followed by an apple pie and custard. It wasn't groundbreaking cuisine, but the last I would sample prior to lockdown. I'm guessing it's been boarded up ever since. Well, not literally, but closed for business either way, although they do have a thriving takeaway business, which might have carried on regardless.
Cycling daily for the past three weeks has made me much fitter. I'm cycling faster than before and managing to ride 14 miles in about one hour, so 14 miles/hour as opposed to 10 miles/hour. I might try to up the ante next week (next week starting on Tuesday, the day after tomorrow). If I decided to ride 20 miles/day my end-of-week total would rise to 110 miles, but I might stick to the convenient 14 miles with, perhaps two or three 20-milers thrown in for good luck; as long as I can improve on this week's 84 miles. Perhaps 90 miles will do, an additional six miles? Let's see. I don't like to commit myself because if I do I end up berating myself for not keeping up with my own goals and that would be disastrous, as suddenly what was an enjoyable pastime (cycling daily during lockdown) would become fretful.
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| Another scintillating view ... |
The great thing about cycling to the bus stop today was being able to sit down with a flask of hot water and (ahem) a Tazo Sweet Orange tea. Yeah, I know, it's a bit, well, you know, a bit strange, although I'm known to be strange when it comes to fruit and herb teas. I love them! But in all honesty, I should have packed some milk and some Twining's English Breakfast, perhaps some chocolate HobNobs, maybe a Scotch egg, the Sunday papers; alright, a tent, a sleeping bag and some baked beans for breakfast in the morning. But no, I sat there for about 20 minutes, Andy and I Facetimed each other and then I headed home. When I got back I had a cup of tea (this time with milk) and then headed out into the garden to cut the lawn at the top.
Now I'm watching (on and off) the One World thing on the BBC. Great to see the Rolling Stones and I thought Rag and Bone Man and Elton John were great. I'm going to sign off.
