Leisurely Friday Nights

From Michael:

So, last Friday (27th Feb) I decided that it was time to do some serious mileage....it was a beautiful sunny afternoon in London. A quick call home to Miriam at 2pm to float the idea of cycling all the way back to St. Albans along the Lea Valley and she encouraged me to go for it (what little encouraging I needed). I had mapped the route and worked it was about 45 miles which I thought would be okay from a fitness perspective. I had intended to try to leave work a bit earlier than usual to get a head start on the evening but unfortunately only got away at 5pm which left about an hour and a quarter of daylight left.

Equipped with chocolate bars and drinks, I headed out from the Wharf into Limehouse Cut and hit the Regents canal tow path. This leads straight to Victoria Park where you can take a left towards Islington or right towards the National Route 1 which was where I wanted to go. All well and good thus far. The first 8 miles were pretty easy, it was great riding past elements of the Olympic site, as well as being able to take in some of the fantastic new canalside apartments that have sprung up over the last 5 years or so. I hit my first problem just north of the Lockwood Reservoir, just east of Tottenham. The towpath ended and could I find where it picked up again......I ended up on the roads for a couple of miles before picking up the canal again. By now it was dusk and cooling down. Time for the jacket and refreshments before heading off again. Another 8 miles passed and by now it was pitch black on the tow path. I had the company of delicate looking bird or was it a bat....for about a mile or so, illuminated very delicately by my bike lights (by now, I had three on the front!). It was tough concentrating in such darkness and incredibly quiet save for the occasional hum of a canal boat where supper was being prepared. Eventually I reached Broxbourne and once again was forced off the tow path. Rather than try to pick up the trail again, I decided on continuing on the roads, calculating it would be a lot safer (and hopefully quicker for by now it was already 7.20pm). From Broxbourne to Hoddesdon to Hertford Heath to Hertford, I snaked my way across pitch black country lanes. I wasn't mentally tired, but I was struggling for I had nothing left to eat and could sense my energy levels dropping. Unfortunately, there were no suitable establishments on any of the back roads I was on. I did consider stopping at one of the fine looking country pubs I passed, but decided against it. The idea of wondering in on a Friday evening with cycling tights and a bright yellow jacket didn't enthuse me at all. The journey continued along back roads to Essendon, and from there to Welham Green and finally across the A1 to Colney Heath and somewhere close to home. I was only 6 miles or so away but it seemed to take ages. My mind started telling me how difficult the cycle up London Road would be (its not at all difficult usually) and so I broke the remaining few miles up into small sections; 'get to the post, reach the telephone booth etc....'. Finally, I arrived home at 9.20, almost four and a half hours after setting off. I had only done 43 miles but the lack of proper food and drink had left me feeling terrible. One hot stew, tea, biscuits and a bath later and all was good again.

The ride had taught me two things:

1) Don't go out without the right food, energy drinks etc...
2) Always take the blackberry with me, the GPS on google maps was unbelievably useful....I doubt I would have made it back before midnight without it!