Sunday 25 July 2010

Sunday Morning Bike Ride

I'm on my way at about 7am. N is good at getting us up early ready to seize the day, though we'd be grateful for the odd "lie in" past 6am. I don't really mind too much at this time of year, I just hope he'll sleep a bit longer once the dark mornings begin.

Anyway, this morning the weather is overcast and rain clouds are all around. I set off and join the cycle path for the first couple of miles.

This is the view from the cycle path bridge over the road I have just left. I like the patchwork of greens with a splash of pink.

More greens and pink line the verges.

I leave the cycle path at the steam engine sculpture, and head off along some unclassified roads which are completely new to me.

There are lots of dairy farms round here - all that lovely plentiful green grass (and rain!).

Nice gates.

Bird posing on fencepost and more of the ever present (at this time of year) rosebay willow herb.

A T junction in a little wooded glade, such beautiful green light. I go right.

This attractive wood carving is at a farm road end along the way. It was a little gloomy for a decent photo at this point, I'll need to come back another time. This whole route would be excellent in Autumn once the leaves start to change colour as much of the roadside is lined with woodland.

Downhill past a pretty farm sign.

Into more open countryside now. A cow and calf pose nicely on the left.

After a bit of a climb I'm over the other side of the hill and can see the Clyde. A bird on a wire sits high above the firth, a boat sails upstream.

A different take on the same view. I stop here for a little snack while admiring the scenery and taking a closer look at the hedgerows...

Bramble.

Foxglove.

Very pretty!

Back on my way again, past some interesting farm equipment, sheep dot the top of the field.

Now I'm in the middle of another big climb. The mountains which would normally visible behind the little houses peeping over the hill are shrouded in dark grey cloud.

Colourful horses in their field of grass and ragwort catch my eye.

Harebells dot the grass in front of the little stone dyke, rain falls in the distance. Fortunately no rain falls on me!

I liked the arching bramble branch with the misty greens in the background.

This dead tree creates quite a dramatic silhouette amongst all the leafiness.

A pleasant pastoral scene, nice little mound of trees.

Then back on the cycle path to head home...

...leaving the roman soldiers behind.

I now have a bike computer! I did 24.3 miles at an average speed of 8.5 miles per hour (lots of photo stops), and a maximum speed of 25.5 miles per hour, so there you go!

The air smelt gorgeous - all fresh and green and moist! There were so many little birds flitting about the hedges, all too fast for me to capture on camera or even identify. A most enjoyable cycle.

It was quite a hilly ride. On the very last climb of the day up from the cycle path to the village I did feel my legs were tired and I was hungry. I started to wonder what food there was left in the house that I could eat when I got in when at that exact moment I received a text from hubby saying he'd left me two muffins...

They were yummy!

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I had that Peter Rabbit plate too! I think my mum still has it.

Like the look of the Roman soldiers.

Diane said...

That sky looks really heavy and moody - great photos. I am always so impressed with the mileage that you do - and the hills!!!!

Helsie said...

How very fit you must be to accomplish all that! An absolutely lovely ride. I'm so glad you took us with you. The green-ness and the pretty flowers were all delightful. Thanks
Cheers
Helen

topchelseagirl said...

I love the greenery, and the pinkery! Wow you went a long way. 2 miles would probably be about my limit!

Simone said...

I love joining you on the cycle rides! The only bike I ride is an exercise bike as I can't ride a normal bike! You see such lovely things whilst out riding that I really wish I was able to do it too. I love all the dramatic scenery and thank you for photographing it! Lucky to go home to muffins too! x

Anonymous said...

Ohh, looks great and green and lush! We are still desperate for rain, hopefully we'll get some 'drizzle' later today but I want to be further North after looking at your lovely photos.

Bethx

Kimbles said...

What fabulous photos from you bike ride it is like we were all there with you!

Hazel said...

Wow a great bike ride! I only wish I could ride :( but I can't. It looks so freeing and exhiliarating. Lots of lovley things on your blog. I'll ba back to check on the crochet progress. ;)

Sue Pinner said...

Hi..what a fabulous journey n pictures great way to show people your area...love it
Worried about that field of Horses and the very poisonous RAGWORT shock horror!!...Hope they don't eat any
Thanks for popping by and the solar lights are great 3 settings too worth the £14.99 for a 100 lights
Hope you find them locally but we got ours from Charliesdirect.co.uk

Sweet Birdy Love said...

Wow, what stunning photos. Think even I could manage to get out of bed early if I could cycle through such picturesque countryside.
Have enjoyed a brief visit to your blog, shall pop back tomorrow. Need to hit the hay early start ....5.30am aaargh!!

Cathy said...

What wonderful bike rides you have Anne. I love the scenery around you and isn't everything lovely and green. We are just golden and brown down here now until the autumn rains come. I do miss our green. Love the Roman soldiers. They are really fun.
Have a great week.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails