Back to cycling and other stuff

According to my blog, the last day I cycled was October 16. It’s quite a long time, huh. So I decided to kick myself out of my cozy nest and have a ride. It was March 21, when I decided to visit my Latvian friends in Mickleover. The morning was coldish and I knew that all the way to Mickleover I will have to cycle uphill. That was quite a big challenge, especially because of the fact it was my first day of cycling. My bike computer didn’t work, because the computer wire was damaged. And it is only natural that you can’t expect a miracle, if you lend your bicycle for someone else. It took me a little more than usual to reach Mickleover. I cycled cautiously (AKA slowly) and also uphill wasn’t a piece of cake. At least the way back was easy and fast enough. Altogether I cycled a little more than 10 km.

Photo: Martin Fisch (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The next week I had a visitor, my friend Ella. She really likes shopping and that is of a great value, because in a very magical way she always manages to find something also for me. I got really nice shoes, a dress and some nice cardigans for the summer time. So the first day we did a shopping marathon until all our money was gone. As the result it was crystal clear that on March 28 we’re going to cycle. The weather was really great – warm and sunny. So I took Ella to the Elvaston Castle. We cycled a little more than 20 km. It was her first cycling day, so I really admire her endurance and avanturistic spirit.

Ella's visit to Elvaston Castle

These two days of cycling are my first steps to a bigger goal. I have made a decision – this season I’m going to cycle to Loughborough (40 km in one way). I almost did it the previous time (in August), but I run out of water and got confused in finding the right way. So this year I’m going to prepare better: 1) I will prepare a proper map (it wasn’t really reasonable to try to find the way just like that; however, it was a spontaneous ride without knowing I’m going to cycle a long distance, so eventually it was a great adventure); and 2) I will take plenty of water and food with me. But first, I need to practice on a little shorter cycle routes. 🙂

Derwent Mouth Lock

In the previous post I didn’t mention I have a magical ability. During my ride to Aston and Weston I was in a cross-road and took a wrong turn. I stopped and right in that moment the wind blew my hat back to the cross-road showing I need to go straight. Yes, I can talk with the wind and maybe I’m a little enchantress. Beware of me! 😀

Trent & Mersey Canal

Today I went in the same direction as yesterday (I used the National Cycle Network No. 6 again), but instead of having the turn to Aston and Weston I stayed on the right side of Trent & Mersey Canal and continued along the canal. The system of canal is really great – I was enchanted by a view how narrow-boats were travelling up and down the canal by using the canal locks. I asked the owners of Eleanor Rose how many times a day are they using the canal locks. And they said, there are days they need to use them even 20 times a day.

The canal lock: Eleanor Rose is going up

I had a really nice and relaxing day – I cycled along the canal and I thought I will reach Long Eaton, but unfortunately the path was closed just after I reached the Derwent Mouth Lock in Shardlow (a village in Derbyshire) where the Trent & Mersey Canal leaves the River Trent. The path was really narrow and wild actually. I also noticed that all the bridges crossing the canal had sequential numbers. I can proudly announce I reached the bridge No. 1. And once again I saw the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station. Just 8 km and I would reach those magical chimneys.

Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station

I returned to Derby via London Road, and actually that is the road I’m taking every time I need to get from East Midlands Airport to Derby. I don’t like to cycle on such an active roads, so I used a chance to get away from it – I took a turn towards Elvaston Castle. I’m truly glad I did it. It’s always nice to be there by the lake and listen to the birds’ songs.

Elvaston Castle

After a break and a nice conversation with one of my Cycling for Libraries friends I continued along the River Derwent towards Derby. My day was fulfilled. In total I cycled for three hours and fourteen minutes and managed a distance of 44,3 km. My average speed was 13,6 km per hour and maximum – 26,8 km per hour. And once again I was at home only after 10 p.m.

This time I managed to cycle without a map because I cycled out of the borders of my map. 😀

Back to cycling

Hey guys, I’m back from Riga. It was amazing to see all my friends and take participation in the 10th Congress of Latvian Librarians. But now I’m back in Derby.

It’s plus 23 degrees Celsius and really sunny. Sanita, my friend, was visiting me for three days. Well, she arrived on Monday, shortly before midnight. And on Tuesday we did our ride to Elvaston Castle. What a joyful day! We cycled, chatted, walked and just enjoyed the day.

Happy Easter, my friends!