Sunday 19 May 2013

Roses grow on you

This weekend I cycled the first third of the "Way of the Roses" and back again - about 110 miles with hills all the way.

It absolutely chucked it down on my way back (into the wind) and I even managed to get lost. And fall off. It wasn't pretty but having done a coast-to-coast for the previous 3 years and escaped serious weather I suppose the odds were stacked against. 

You don't need to see pics of an old bloke's suffering so here's a few snaps I took on the first day.

Tiny tunnel in the lune valley. The look of croons before the crook of lune.


Bluebells and silver birches on the first climb out of the Lune Valley. Lovely year for the bluebell.
The distinctive flat topped peak of Ingleberrow is visible for miles and miles of the early route.

Stand of trees and a dry stone wall. Last sign of "dryness" for a while.

Anyway I'm back and have spent the afternoon Karchering a Patio. Anyone over 60 will know what I'm talking about. 



23 comments:

Roses said...

Given I struggle to cycle 11 miles, I'm in awe.

Z said...

Phew. I'm under 60.

Not that I could match you in cycling, I'm an oar too.

Tim said...

Given that I struggle to walk to the paper shop and back, I'm in awesome awe.
I thought I was over sixty, but I can't be, as I have no idea what karchering is. Thank you for the age rebate!

Rog said...

Roses: I'm sure there's lots of nice places within an 11 mile radius of Awe.

Z: I had heard talk in the village but assumed it was tittle tattle.

Rog said...

Tim: you definitely get a rebate for not doing pressure washers on Patios. And playing Vanilla Fudge albums. You're almost ready to hand your pension back.

Martin said...

I admire your cycling spirit, Rog. When we moved to the 'sticks' 13 years ago, I was excited about getting back on two wheels. After my second close shave with the traffic around our lanes, I reluctantly threw in the towel. Great pics, by the way.

Rog said...

Martin: cycling in 'rat runs' is no fun but it's surprising how many very low traffic lanes there are around. Have a look at the Sustrans web site for local bike routes and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Nota Bene said...

Terrific pictures...110 miles is very impressive. Well done. I'm not 60, but I know what Karchering the patio is...I'm worried now!

Liz said...

That's some achievement. Driving that distance would knacker me, never mind cycling it.

I'm not 60 either but I'd rather play with a pressure washer than go for a cycle ride.

Tim said...

After claiming not know what a Kartcher was, I discovered that I have one in my garage. So perhaps I am seventy after all.

Unknown said...

Great post, Rog, and well done! :-)

Rog said...

Nota: couldn't have done it at night on main roads! Don't get obsessed with bins though...

Liz: There's no accounting for taste! For example you'd have to use gunpoint to get me on the back of a motorbike.

Tim: At least when you got in the Garage you remembered why you'd gone.

Jon: Cheers!

Unknown said...

Lovely photos Rog. I don't know what karchering a patio is and I must admit to being a spish on the wrong side of sixty.....oh, be honest Mike;I'm the wrong side of seventy, and I still don't know how to karcher a patio.
P.s. Congrats, that's a magnificent run on the bike.

Sir Bruin said...

I'd quite like to see pics of an old bloke suffering.

Rog said...

Mike: A "spish" is a unit I haven't come across before. How many tads in a spish? I never saw you as a patio washer anyhow.

Sir B: here's how: (1) Make one more comment about Liz loading the dishwasher (2) Look in a mirror

Unknown said...

Spish=abridged form of 'suspicion', i.e. about a quarter of a soupcon.

Anonymous said...

very impressive and love the views - not keen on the weathe so much (if I had to do that)

dinahmow said...

Blimey! I used to cycle on what is now the State Highway , a major thoroughfare [New Zealand], but was then "just the main road"
Back then, cyclist(non-helmeted) and motorists were much more aware of each other. Also, vehicles didn't have today's speeds.
So...I don't ride a bike today.
Helmet off to you, Sir!

mig bardsley said...

Well done that cyclist! And lovely pics too.
So what is a patio?

Pat said...

I'm sure you're right but I never used to spell Ingleborough like that.
I'm not going to google.

janerowena said...

I am under 60 and I know what a karcher is. Is that bad? I wish I had one sometimes. Your ride looked beautiful, but not a rose in sight.

Curry Queen said...

I grew up around the Lune Valley - feeling quite nostalgic now...

Rog said...

Gab: Everywhere I go I always take the weather with me....

Dinah: Cycle lanes and Sustrans are the way forward!

Mig: It's an old British folk song I think.

Pat: I've just googled it and found that I'm the only person spelling it like this! http://www.flickr.com/photos/peacockpixels/287492595/

JaneR: The only thing that rose was the hills!

CQ: You're a luney?