Trundle to Topsham

I've not cycled at all since the Coast to Coast trip and I'd been really looking forward to getting back out on my bike again. I was worried my fitness levels would have dropped and that I would struggle to keep up, but hoped we'd soon get back into the swing of things again.

As it happens, a ride with the CTC wasn't to be. I've been struggling with back ache on and off over the last couple of weeks and I was very sore when I woke up this morning. I didn't want to hold up the group and I certainly didn't want to end up miles from home with dreadful back ache and no choice other than to cycle back again.

My initial plan had been to do a trial ride on Saturday to see how I got on, but I was put off by the rain and gales and decided that if people were being advised against going shopping, I probably shouldn't be going out cycling with a bad back!

I was determined to get back on the bike again though. Darker evenings and lots of weekends away have made it difficult to keep up with any training and it was a beautiful morning, so we decided I'd try a short cycle ride to Topsham. I lowered my bike seat to make it easier to mount and dismount, even though that would compromise my cycling position a bit.

We didn't choose the best time to go out as it seemed everyone in Exeter and their dogs had decided to go out for a walk, so I had to get off and walk over the two bridges to the canal path as it was far too busy to cycle. I then had to stop again on the way to the Double Locks as I'd not worn my cycling glasses and I got a little black bug in my eye. Sadly he was looking rather squished as I scooped him out with my finger, so I think it was worse for the bug than it was for me!

We took the ride gently and I'm delighted to say that I felt ok whilst I was cycling, so that's good news. It was great to be on the move again and I'm really pleased I made the effort to go out when I really didn't feel like it. I'm not sure I could have managed much further than Topsham as I was getting sore as we arrived into Topsham. We had a long leisurely break there before heading back, but I was starting to tire and feel uncomfortable again as we got back towards the Quay.

Anyway - enough of the complaining! We had a lovely day - the sun was shining in Topsham, the ducks were waddling along the quayside and we had a lovely pub lunch. They'd forgotten about our order and kept us waiting for ages - and to apologise, they gave us one meal free, so it was a bargain too!

We've also got our new garage since our last ride, so it was very exiting to be able to cycle back and put our bikes in there! Hoorah! We're really busy again over the next couple of weeks, but I hope to be back out with the CTC again soon enjoying tea and cake and catching up with everyone -hopefully socially rather than literally!