A week of firsts (or seconds)

This week has seen a few firsts, or seconds if you count my first cycle of riding all those years ago.

The first - err, first, was my first proper off road ride since I got back in the saddle. I have had a few dalliances with 'off road' - across parks, a few small trails in said parks etc etc - but nothing that would allow me to call my self a mountain biker again.

I had planned to go with a few friends who still have bikes - but as the heavens opened and the rain flowed, throughout the day one by one the number of willing participants declined - and when my brother had to cancel due to an old injury making an improptue re-appearance it was down to just me, myself and I.

I decided to go out anyway - but just be a little less adventurous than I would have been with others there to help if the bike, or myself broke down! This is where the app that I have been using and the gps on my phone are a nice backup. As long as I have some semblance of signal, someone can find out where I am with close enough accuracy, that I know I would not be lost for long if I did not check in at the pre-arranged time - err that I had pre-arranged.

I headed out into the countryside, away from the traffic and up a hill. A hill that, I am totally confident is technically steeper than the last time I went up it on a bike - and possibly even the last time I drove up said remnant of ancient tectonic activity. Still - red faced and gently steaming I reached the summit and turned off the road and into the mud!

I had about and hour and a half of peddling around in the rain soaked wilderness, and it was stunning. The rain caused that beautiful mist like effect through the trees - with the gentle burble of water all around me. It was excellent, and reminded me why I loved biking into the unknown in the first place.

Apart from a few other friendly bikers that I stopped to have a chat with about the best routes in the area I saw no one the whole time I was there. I got back to the road in a soaked and thoroughly mud splattered state with a big smile on my face and a feeling of total relaxation (although still with a gentle steaming look).

It's a shame then, that my second first, happened on the way back from this idilic ride.

Almost as soon as I had got back into the traffic, a guy decided to completely cut me up for no reason.

He overtook me while going round a bend - on a two lane traffic system with no one in the other lane. After a quick swerve curb-ward into the deep water, hidden potholes and floating nicities I had managed to avoid serious implications both vehicular and from the pedestrians scurrying from the elements.

What concerned me more was what happened next! - my first confrontation ... but more of that next time.

Rain, rain and just for good measure a little more rain

Well it seems the UK summer is over before it really began (as per usual). From the sun and soaring temperatures of a few weeks ago now we just seem to have water falling from the sky in a fairly constant flow - with a uncanny ability to increase in intensity as soon as I good anywhere near the bike.

This is not all bad though - I actually enjoy riding in the rain, always have. The only downside is when you get where you are going and you are soggy. That I do not enjoy.

There seems to be a art in looking cool on a bike while staying dry and warm - and that art is to not care what you look like.

That is why I have been sporting a lovely pair of silver (yes silver) water proof trousers that I had picked up a few years back at the '24 Hours of Le Mans' motor race, when there was no other option available for enjoying the racing while open to the elements, with nothing other than a few beers for insulation.

While I may look like I have come down with a bad case of the 'Buck Rogers' while I shimmer my way down the road (Urban Cycle Chic they are definitely not!) - I have managed to keep my legs dry and protected from the delightful UK summer.  It's a shame I cannot say the same for the top half of me.

When I saw the giant sprinkler system that was the sky this morning I decided that I should dig out my faithful skiing jacket. Its made up of two parts (waterproof outer and removable warm inner jacket) so would hopefully not cook me, while in theory keeping me safe and dry. The theory unfortunately did not become practice - and I can safely say that the jacket has been faithful for a little too long - and now displays more traits common to a sieve than a elemental protection device.

All of this meant a thoroughly unpleasant morning at the office while I returned to an acceptable level of humidity, and yet another trip to a cycle shop in my lunch break.

On the plus side, now I have the water proofs sorted, it will more than likely be sunny for a while!