Taking full advantage of my week off work, this morning I attempted to slip out early (10:30-ish) to try and beat the rain. I knew we were in for a downpour starting around midday, but hoped to be either home, or very nearly home by the time the weather took a down turn.
Alas, it was not meant to be.
Starting out I had planned to cover over 50km.
I’d packed accordingly. Raincoat? Check. Energy ball? Check. Energy bar? Check. And a big drink of water to see me through.
Behold, 10km in, a lovely view of the climb to come and my first food stop. Just a cheeky bite of the energy ball and then away I went.
After this I got myself into a brief merry-go-round, circling the little village centre of Garstang several times as I tried to find a sweet shop I used to go to as a kid. Unfortunately that seems to have now gone. I’d like to say replaced with a cash for gold shop, but that’s not true. It looked like a solicitors or something.
After touring Garstang I’d planned to climb up Oakenclough, which I’ve done before (in both directions) but before getting there I really needed to stop for the loo. Unfortunately I couldn’t find anywhere discreet, so just as I was about to go at the side of the road, a huge bunch of cyclists came by the other way. If they’d been ten seconds later I’d have been quite the embarrassed chump. As it was I decided to hold it and hit the climb anyway.
Oakenclough is steep early on, and then settles down after the initial introduction into something a little more mellow. Heck, there’s even a mid climb descent to enjoy.
I was a little disappointed to find out that, for whatever reason, my previous climb. Of Oakenclough hasn’t registered on Strava. I likely could go back and find my previous attempt and then compare that way, but frankly I’m not that bothered.
I gave an average performance. I was out of the saddle on the steep bit, but knackered myself out by the top of that first section. After that I struggled.
I wanted to take off my arm warmers but didn’t dare risk it whilst climbing incase I had a fall.
Probably worse was my idea to take a second bite of an energy ball whilst on the climb. I could barely breathe with a mouth full of crushed hazelnuts and dates. Silly me.
Once at the top the view wasn’t fantastic. Cloud and generally overcast, and then came a few spots of rain. Then a few more.
I decided to get the heck off the hill, knowing my route was going to take me up and then round the side of Beacon Fell. The weather out that way is always a bit worse than in town.
Anyway as I got out and just about to start heading back in the weather worsened. Time for the Rapha commuter jacket to get its first proper wet weather test.
As it happened the jacket performed OK. Only OK though. I found once it was wet it kinda clung to my arms and if anything, made me feel a bit colder when the wind picked up. Still, probably better than having only short sleeves or arm warmers.
My route took me back homewards and then I was going to cut across the A6 and go out into some flatter countryside before heading home. As the weather remained poor, I decided to cut my ride short and just go direct back home.
Tomorrow is looking like the nicest day of the week, and the only nice day remaining between now and mid next week. As such I’m kinda being forced outdoors when in reality I’d likely be better served with a rest.
I’m not sure what, when, where, or indeed why I’m going to ride tomorrow. But as its sunny I think I ought too. So, well see what happens.
