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OPINION

In my own bubble

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Sometimes it takes a bit of isolation to allow clarity of thought

Riding to work one morning this week, through the damp fog, I realised how silent the world had become and the main road that I’d just left was completely eradicated from my senses by the misty air. I looked forward for 100 metres, then looked back… the same, I was in a bubble. Nothing around me but harvested fields and a thick atmosphere. And I liked it.

My own summer

This summer hasn’t been particularly good in terms of the amount of time I’ve spent cycling: the weather (downright depressing at times); the combination of holiday/family visits (we live in Scotland, the rest of the family are 5hrs away); days out; work deadlines; covering childcare if my wife is working a Saturday - it’s all contributed to a fairly poor season. I know what some of you are going to say: “Get up at 4am and go out then” etc. and “It’s only rain”, and the good old classic “Rule 5, mate”. But the truth is, I’ve not really been all that bothered to force myself out. Having a relax on the sofa before work with the kids, or helping them do a bit of homework has been a real pleasure this summer, and much more appealing to do whilst supping an extra morning cuppa than cycle my usual 20 mile diversionary route to work.

Change

But that was changed on a misty September morning. Suddenly, I wanted to be back out there every day, I didn’t want to sit on the sofa and I didn’t want that extra morning brew. I’m not sure why it happened, but it’s a good thing given my waistline has expanded and I’ve struggled all summer to keep up with my club mates on the ascents. Descents are somehow ok… I wonder why!?

It’s not just cycling that’s been a bit wooly this year, but (as my paunch will attest) my food intake has also been erratic, and not for the better. The less I cycle, the less focus I have on my weight and the less inclination I have to do something about the extra pounds. It should be the other way round, right? Yeah, that doesn’t happen. But this week has been good, I’m back “on it” and feeling positive about the impending 6 months of doom that is the Scottish winter - a monk-like existence is much easier when people aren’t offering you barbecues and beers. I suppose that positivity might also be due to a recent refurb of the old winter bike, which is now looking and riding like it’s new (it won’t last long).

Reward

The main thing is that the desire to cycle every day, rain or shine, is back. I need to make sure that it stays and doesn’t get washed away with the first heavy downpour - which, given the Scottish climate, won’t be too far away. The biggest surprise was that this desire reappeared on a misty Tuesday, and not a sunny Saturday as expected some time in June. There was, of course, a reward for this as I rode up above the Carse of Stirling and saw the thick blanket that had covered me a quarter of an hour previously. And the sun shone.

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5 comments

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sodit | 8 years ago
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Its funny but I prefer Spring Autumn and Winter cycling I find the Summer just to hot for fun, need about 6,000 litres of water for 60 miles, well small exaggeration but you get the idea. Winter can be a bit daunting if its really wet and icy but Spring and Autumn brilliant,

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Flying Scot | 8 years ago
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Ahhhhh.....that was my late Uncle's stomping ground, was up there as a teenager.

He was a Flying Scot and Cinelli man too, long time Nightinglae member, but rode with Stirling when he stayed in BoA.

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GerardR | 8 years ago
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Time with your kids will endure more than cycling: it may even get them riding with you as they're older. We've just had 2 of 3 in France cycling with us.

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Flying Scot | 8 years ago
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What's that descent Sam, I don't recognise it? ......maybe inward in a bubble on it!

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SamShaw replied to Flying Scot | 8 years ago
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Flying Scot wrote:

What's that descent Sam, I don't recognise it? ......maybe inward in a bubble on it!

Not really a descent as such - it's the road that leads from the top of the hill of Row (near the David Stirling monument) back towards Bridge of Allan - also known as the carse of Lecropt road. Ringing any bells?

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