have returned once again.

Yup, this week we've seen a return to warmer, sunnier weather here in the UK, the downside has been that fanned by stiff winds we've had several significant grassland fires from Dorset to Yorkshire, tying up resources for days and using water we can ill afford to get things under control. That some of these outbreaks have been intentionally set is almost certain, other folk with portable/disposable 'barbecues' are really no better but they will take no telling, maybe firmer action is needed. Its not about 'spoiling their fun', it's about social responsibility and public safety but as they are mostly 'Millenials' and 'Gen Z', there is little hope of that.

With the warmer weather, for Thursdays ride i decided to explore a few byways south of Bath, a short day at a leisurely pace. It consisted of three sections with a bit of tarmac between 1+2 but 2+3 were almost connected. It started well, sector one was completely rideable, but the long tarmac climb to sector two suggested i might not be so lucky on the much longer valley crossing. And i was right, a combination of off road motorbikes, next to no maintenance and wash out damage meant the steep descent soon became unrideable and not much better to walk down.

At least the valley bottom was rideable and even the start of the climb up the other side, despite similar damage. There was actually water running down this side which exacerbated things and i was soon back to pushing my way up the hillside. Eventually it got to a point of rideable once more and a final push had me back to tarmac - well for a few metres before turning onto sector three.

This last leg, a kilometre or so, started out much better almost following the contours towards my lunch stop at Englishcombe village. It couldn't last, through a very full ford, the small climb beyond was again ripped to pieces and one Maddy power was insufficient to make the climb. On the plus side, it was only about 20m and things returned to a fairly decent surface, only marred by the 'off roader' that sped towards me ripping even that surface up. A butty stop at the churchyard then back through Bath and the bike path back to conclude a pleasant 61km ride which still packed in 500+m of climbing.

Friday was more of the same weatherwise, ie warm, mid 20's, and sunny. I took myself for a 6km stroll along the river, stopping briefly for a tuna salad sarnie for lunch. The water was quite low, struggling to reach the top of the weirs, not that it seemed to worry the pair of grey wagtails hopping about the rocks or the shoals of fry occupying the choicest shallows. A stop at the supermarket on the way back was needed to fill out Saturdays picnic supplies before taking shelter from the sun's rays for the rest of the day.

The big day, the big ride of the week arrived all too soon. With a 27c forecast i planned on a nine am departure to miss a bit of heat however i couldn't sleep and so found myself out of the door before eight! The days ride was essentially an out and back south east to the edge of Salisbury Plain to take in a look at the Imberbus event (a charity event involving running a bus service from Warminster to Imber village and the Lavingtons across the Military training grounds, just one day a year and using a mix of 'local' and London buses from vintage to brand new.) The day started well, i was well past Bath in the first hour, past Trowbridge in hour two and as it started to warm mid morning i was starting the climb up onto the Plain.

Tarmac gave way to dirt, the climb topped out and i was soon skirting the military zone. It was only when the dirt returned to tarmac that i had a slight inkling of an issue but i put it down to a less than perfect surface. The road dropped off the high ridge a bit and i was soon camping out to watch the bus activity and enjoy an hour or so with my picnic. It was as i prepared to set off for my return that i noticed an issue, a flat-ish rear tyre.

Shit happens, so i started on the replacement process which is when i spotted the bigger problem. I couldn't locate the hole in the tube but it didn't take much to find the tyre problem, a hole in the middle of the tread caused by a sharp stone which cut into the carcass causing its failure. The actual puncture was obviously a tiny hole hidden by deflation but this new problem was more serious causing a slight rethink for the afternoon.

I had planned on taking in one of the pop up cafes in place for the event but that would add distance to my return, the tyre should get me back but adding to it felt like folly. The plan was to use @ 10km of byways on the return leg which would take me in an almost straight line back to the Avon, again, avoiding them would add significantly to my return distance of 60km. What was the worst that could happen, a bit of a walk to tarmac and or making my way to the nearest railway station, yep, i decided to stick with plan A.

The first section was the kicker, but despite finishing the descent of the chalky edge, it was mostly rideable and not too rocky, i nervously picked my way and emerged on the first bit of tarmac linking the byways. I was aware of the tyre squirm but i've had a lot worse so pushed on for the next stretch. The area west of Devizes towards Trowbridge is pan flat, the byways in fairly good repair and with the help of a bit of tailwind i sped homeward between the hedgerows. More tarmac, more byway, an hour of the three for the return was gone but from here i would be on more travelled roads and closer to the railways.

The bumping of the tyre seemed less although the i did descend into the Avon valley less quickly than the road will allow! I was back into Bath, from here a twenty kilometre ride retracing my outward journey on the bike path. By now it was getting a bit warm but with the end in sight, i eschewed stopping for ice cream and pushed for the finale. And i was back, 122km, 980m of up, yes i did see 27c and a new tan line.

As far as the damaged tyre goes, well that's a bin job but on the plus side i have a part worn example i can use until finances allow replacent - tomorrow will be a bike maintenance day, i think the brake pads need replacing - again!

And so to today, another sunny but breezy day. A walk later, will suffice for exercise and Aunty Bev has bought meat for dinner later, i'll make some sort of dessert after this. Oh and of course i've posted chapter Eleven of Balancing Trick where just for a change, its not Gaby in trouble!

I will back on midweek, but for today,
Tak,
Madeline Anafrid