The Ridgeway proved
to be another weekend planned months in advance. Setting all our
commitments aside, we eventually found a weekend where three of us was
completely free and could follow our heart's desire: mountain biking for
the whole weekend! Being a ride that takes us from east to west,
from near Oxford to Swindon, we decided to leave our London share homes in
two cars and park one of them near the end. We all, bikes and bodies,
fitted in the other and drove all the way to the start.
The first day was certainly the worst. Having rained
recently, it made for some tough going, but at least that's what we came
for and we were just too happy to get the ol' tyres wet again. Luckily we
brought a map, because on numerous occasions we got lost and had to trek
away back to the route.
After a good night's rest at The Ridgeway
YHA halfway, we sped the remaining 35 miles towards the end. This route
was a lot drier so our late start didn't deter us too much. We sped along
the jeep track, didn't get lost and finished in time for a late lunch at a
local pub.
Obviously we got
talking and discussed if we would be able to complete the 80 miles of
Ridgeway in one day. We were all confident and decided to do it in one day
next summer. It will a be a feat in itself and a lot of training will have
to be put into this one.
But, The Ridgeway is
calling and who knows, maybe closer to the end of one northern summer
we'll be speeding along the tracks once again.
