OK I think we have experienced a winter's day. I dont think the temperature rose above 5degC today!!! Combine the low temp with rain and a strong head wind and you get a nice image.
Big plug for Gore Bike Wear goretex socks and overpants!!!!
Bigger plug for Icebreaker wool thermals!!!!
Not so big plug for my SealSkin gloves, Sandy's are fine mine are wet.
Huge plug for my custom helmet cover, image further down.
Now that I've got that off my chest I can carry on (again) about the glorious countryside. The Thames Valley ride is bloody brilliant. Well signposted and it avoids any busy roads. We rode through woods, bridal paths, lanes and tow paths today and when we weren't worried about frostbite we had a look around.
Caution bike geek content:
Some of the paths we so muddy that we were very glad for the Rohloff hubs (again). Our drivetrains are covered in mud and grime. The mudguards are full of mud and rubbing on the wheels but the Rohloffs still change gears like new.
The Schwalbe Duremes that Sandy are using have been great. My Marathon XRs are fine but just heavy so I'll be glad to replace them with Duremes after I use their expected 15,000km life time :)
Have I mentioned that it was cold today?
My shower cap/helmet cover...Sandy is embarrassed but my head is warm.
Left Staines and found ourselves riding through Windsor Park, yep that Windsor Park very near the Castle. Wow!!!! Bloody funny, the trail notes told us that they are not allowed to signpost the route in Windsor Park but we should just follow the signs to Ranger Gate.....ha!!! The only sign we saw for Ranger Gate was about 100m from Ranger Gate. Took a couple of wrong turns but it wasnt so bad, saw lots of well-to-do people walking their labradors and spaniels. Also saw a squirrel, very exciting for me. Unfortunately I didnt take any photos of Windsor Park as it was raining the whole time. Plus how many photos can you take of stunning English countryside???
Some very steep hills today, the camera does not show the grade :(
We were freezing so stopped at this dodgy cafe for ordinary tea and crap cakes
A view of the Thames as we crossed it
Cooked a yummy lunch on a path near Bray
A lovely, recently retired, couple walked past us as we ate lunch and we chatted for ages. Very nice people in England so far.
More muddy trail through the woods
As we rodewalked up this hill it started hailing, not golf ball size, just little 2-3mm pearls and it's the first time I've seen dry hail i.e. there was no rain with it and it just bounced off you without melting....it was very cold so it took a long time to melt.
Very low average speed here, in Australia we aim for about 17kph but we are struggling to get to 11kph. We have spent many kilometres on muddy trails so not surprising the speed is down. Not a big deal as we are enjoying our surroundings and it's not as if we're in a hurry :)
Staying in Wargrave tonight at The White Hart. Lovely people, great room and once again great ale......
We arrived and asked about a room. The Maltese couple of run the joint were lovely and apologised that the double room was not made up yet. "No worries" says I "we can amuse ourselves with an ale". So 5-6 hours in the saddle, very hungry. I have a pint and Sandy has a half-pint and we were both a bit giggly.
Also hooked onto someone's free Wifi :) to update the blog.....I like it.
2 comments:
Hi Gary & Sandy am reading your blog and it sounds like you are having an adventure!!! Great photos!! Hope you are having fun. Cheers Jane-Marie
So, on this day, you rode past our caravan, where we live when we are back in the UK. It's in Hurley, so after Marlow and before Henley. Big, big amazing houses, and then our static caravan park!! We'll be back there in 3 weeks.
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