[Closed] A summers bimble across the Tox.

Yesterday as the midday sun reached it hottest i dragged the bike out for a spin.

The commute to the hills is usually a 12 mile road slog (no fun on the ss), but for a change i did as little road work as possible.

Using local woods and bridleways i kept road work down to about 10 miles but extended the commute to about 16 miles.

After a few miles in the lanes i descended a farm track to the local woods aplayground for chavs and local racers training loop, i've not been in there for a couple years and never in the summer, the verges where decorated with mauve and yellow flowers)and the treeless flanks were a forest of Foxgloves nothing but the sound of birds and and spring fed streams filled my ears and i was loving it.
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

At the end of the this wood was a push up through a rolling grassy hill, with nothing but a badger set to show any kind of industry..and through a gate trusting just my sense of direction to lead me in the right direction...and along and winding barely used singletrack (no tyre marks here)then it widened into a farm track and led me to the road, and to Fyne court visitors centre i went..

Free tea and ice cream courtesy of the Quantock rangers and AONB admin staff was enjoyed and i sat back and chilled chatting to a lady well into her 90's, listening to stories of how she and many other villagers frequently had to ride off road to go see their friends, lovers, etc....no gears, suspension and powerful brakes back then, just 40+ pounds of steel and rubber....

Then off on the road again to visit seven sisters and say hi to my little girl.

From the top i decided off piste was the way to the road below and used a sheep track to lead me down, this ended up being arse on the back wheel and plummeting to a fence line and bizarrely a style..

The other side was a wonderful but short twisty singletrack to the road, right opposite the road junction up to Lydeard hill car park, perfet!

Then up the road to be finally on the hill proper.

Then it's routine from here, up, down, up down....you know the stuff, Quantocks riding.

The view from the top said the sea was calm, so i had a closer look and went to kilve, sat on the beach and just listened....the gentle waves crashing against the stoney beach...i sat on the waters edge as the tide ended it's journey inwards and then just as slowly retreated back out.....
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

then the daunting realisation hit me as i looked back up the the hill behind....dammit! i going UP there...

[img] [/img]

And up i did (the easier way) ladies edge is a sun trap, this time of year but the deer didn't seem to care as they sat up atop a hill eating the new growth.
[img] [/img]

Time was ticking away and my chosen route home would take me a couple hrs from here, so i decided to head off back....

Then as i climbed out from Halsway post the horizon was broken by helmeted and familiar peeps...knottie and son, Saladdodger + 1.

Arse.......a quick rethink and time check.....'oh! go on then, i'll tag along' and off i went again, but now not alone, with banter and pi$$ taking this is the other side of riding i love, far from the tranquil solitude.
[img] [/img]

Finding an abandoned Charlie, i now had someone to join me on the climbs, SD is knottie walking buddy up this climb..though i know deep down he can do it....

Leaving the others at their meeting point it was then just me a CR to head back to lydeard hill, via the drove...picking up a lone lady rider 'Fran' the 3 of us bimbled back and eventually, we went our separate ways.
And the long road ride home (watching the sun dip down beyond the horizon)
[img] [/img]
stopping off for a quick pint
[img] [/img]
before a shower and collapsing into my pit and sleep in contentment.

Bikes + summer = Good times!