On your marks,

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get set, go!

Big news, well for me, is that yesterday I reached my cycling target for the year, 16000km, the equivalent of riding 50km every single day of the year! I'm now less than 50 miles short of the secondary target of 10000 miles.

Knowing the goal was so near, I set out yesterday with the intention of covering the necessary tarmac, heading mostly south so that I could take advantage of the south westerly wind on the return. Lunch stop was to be Weston, maybe some chips but other than crossing the Mendip I hadn't planned a specific route which is how I found myself on the road to Glastonbury! I didn't go into the town proper but instead turned west across the levels towards the coast.

It was a grey day but dry, the 20mph wind a constant resistance to forward progress through the flat landscape of Avalon and the Sweet track but eventually I climbed up to Wedmore, 5m to @ 60m, a mountain in these parts. On and on, but eventually I reached the sea but looking at the time, 2pm, chips were out if I was to return in daylight so it was a short stop for sandwiches, 90km covered, even the most direct route back would add another 40 and take almost 2 hours. I wasn't as rested as I'd like when I returned to the bike but at least the wind was with me now.

I took the flatter, coastal route up to Clevedon and through the Gordano valley before taking some new lanes through Lower Failand to reach the Clifton suspension bridge. The home run now, after a quick photo op and with the light fast fading I made my way down into Brizzle and north back to Bev's. 151km, 1023m, one tired Maddy and my target passed. I've ridden further, climbed more, covered the distance faster but most of 90km into the wind took its toll, my body was tired but I was in good humour.

But we've missed Monday, well, after a Sunday of brain spaghetti, I started the new week with a day of writing. I seemed to be making good progress but even so it was late afternoon before I completed the chapter, research time adding hours to the writing! The good news, I know the plot for the next few chapters and where its headed for a few beyond that which will lead into the next storyline which I expect to finish this book with. All I need to do now is feed my muse and try not to get too distracted!

Todays Gaby chapter is Dropped in it, #19 from Avoidance, a bit of firefighting is required after Pia is a bit loose tongued at dinner!

Well tomorrow its back out on 2 wheels to complete that second target but for today its household chores!

Tschussie,
Madeline Anafrid

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Comments

Well done Maddy

Lets hope you knock off the other target this week. Mind you, that wind was cold first thing when I went for a short ride along the Basingstoke Canal from Ash Vale to Brookwood and back.
Samantha

cold?

Maddy Bell's picture

Under 10c then? lol

You can dress for cold, hot, wet - its wind that's the bgr. Yesterdays ride scored over 900 on the effort charts, a similar ride without the wind in the summer was under 300! No wonder I'm still recovering almost 24 hours later.

Mads


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Madeline Anafrid Bell

10cc?

no chance. pure pedal power and not an electric motor in sight. I just have the bit of the canal from Brookwood to the eastern end at West Byfleet to go and I will have ridden or walked the entire canal and the whole of the Wey navigation (the bit that is navigable)

Yes, the wind is the killer. I have all the gear for the motorcycle but totally the wrong stuff for peddaling at the sort of speed I can manage.
Samantha

excellent band

Maddy Bell's picture

but read again, I only typed 1 x c lol


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Madeline Anafrid Bell

10000 Miles

Daphne Xu's picture

... is exactly 16,093.44 km. Do you think you'll make it?

-- Daphne Xu

should do

Maddy Bell's picture

i've only got 49 miles to do!


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Madeline Anafrid Bell