Woke up to dark skies and bleary eyes.

The alarm rang out in the dark at 04:00 hours, I pushed Keven out of bed first. Then I scrambled around trying to protect my eyes from the sudden burst of light as Keven flicked on the light as leaving the room

We ate breakfast then loaded the car with the bags etc, put the bikes on the car. One last check in the house, yep got everything. 05:00 hours and we were headed out on our journey into the unknown. As we got onto the A34 the rain began coming down. (We need new wipers). I couldn’t see much at all, I was practically following the rows of red lights on the rear of the HGV’s that were out as early as us. As we drove on and the rain became heavier, we thought we were in for a soaking.

On approach to Leigh Delamere services the rain had eased and there was hope of not having to wrap up in waterproof leggings and jacket.

The Severn Bridge looks so nice in the dark with all the lights glowing and so quiet early in the morning. Different story on the way home.

When we got to the trail centre the loos weren’t even open, that’s how early we were.  Never mind, be at one with nature!

We were ready to start the ride by 07:30 all padded up, I felt like I was cooking. But as the ground was so wet and I was trying out my new lightweight Trek I thought it better to have my shin pads than have sore shins.  I was shattered at the first climb and that’s not even really enough to call a climb, the next section I was slipping and sliding all over the place, Keven wasn’t fairing much better. The bike is so light and after riding my Beone this was proving really difficult to get use to.

At the start of the Twrch trail we braced ourselves for what was ahead, as the last time we were here neither of us did very well. Keven was having problems with his gears and I was just disappointed that I couldn’t get as far as I did on my very first time.  Well we were determined this time. Deep breath, take it easy, don’t try to rush into it. Bah! those words of self encouragement fell to the stream below.  How pathetic! Didn’t get anywhere near, slipping sliding and that was before I got to the roots an’ rocks. I must say It’s a lovely walk, if that’s what you originally went to do.

Second half had to be better, by the time we got to the fire road after the climbs, the sweat was pouring off us both; if I was wearing more than just my t-shirt then I’d have been stripping off. Keven was trying out his new sleeves, he took them off at this point as even he was on the hot side. We managed the fire road climb. Ha! forget Android Hill. Came to a full stop there, had to step to the side as a couple of guys came sailing past like it was nothing. Show offs!

One day I’ll get further to.

We tried the free ride section again and to say we knew what was ahead I was more spooked this time than I was the very first time on my Beone, I even rode round one the humps (whatever they’re called). When Keven met up with me at the bottom we decided to go back up and try again. This time I dodged all of the humps. (What’s that all about). My first time I was flying over them loving every second of it. I was raring to go this morning, like a big kid. I couldn’t wait to get to this section to have a play and here I was bailing out. At the end of the ride this time I re adjusted my seat clamp, only for it to not tighten back up. The bloody thing had bust. Luckily Keven had a spare though the wrong size, we used the screw from it in my clamp and it seemed to do the job. Got to make sure we get the right size quick release next time.

I was a little wary about undoing the clamp again and as I’m still getting used to the bike I wasn’t sure on the height of the saddle, so for some time I was struggling along with the saddle to low. Until finally my thighs were screaming at me and I stopped to take the risk. Much better, though still not perfect, but got a better ride and a good down hill though squeezing the brakes more than usual.

My legs were like lead when I’d finished. Today was certainly an experience and very much a challenge.

The drive home was the icing on the cake. Shortly after stopping at Leigh Delamere on our return journey we had signs warning of queues ahead. We sat still for about 30 mins people were turning there cars around and driving down the hard shoulder the wrong way to get off the slip road. Others were getting out of their vehicles and wandering around having a chat. Soon after a police car came past then a fire engine followed shortly after. Not sure what had happened can only guess at a nasty accident.

Finally made it home around 14:45 unloaded the car had a drink and snuggled up on the couch for a while before getting ourselves out to clean the bikes and put them away ready for the next outing.

Somewhere different next weekend