DustyRider

Sounds a strange title, but was an apt phrase that came to me as I went for a cycle ride this morning.

As I looked down at my front wheel, it was noticeable  how dusty and dirty my bike had become, while sat idly in the garage.

Why then am I out now on my bike, the answer is my weight. As has been written before I had surpassed my original goal to be 70kg when we go to the Lake District in September.

The week just passed, has seen me increase my calorie intake to around 1,700 kcal per day, where I am doing exercise such as badminton or climbing this has increased to around 2,200 to match calories burned. Well in my attempt to maintain my weight from a week ago, which was 69.5kg it seems that I have put on 0.5kg.

This was always going to be the second hardest part, maintaining a sensible weight. Having lost 13.5kg since January the 1st this year, I wanted to avoid going too far and having that gaunt, ill look often associated with people that have lost too much weight too quick, wether it be through self controlled diet or illness.

This morning I decided to avoid a lazy day, my options were, climbing, gardening or walking, then I remembered the bike, sat in the garage, gathering dust. The next decision was where to go, how far to go, what was the weather going to do, forecast was rain. After a bit of deliberation my mind was made up, cycle to Sonning, and along the towpath upstream towards the outskirts of Reading.

The journey was as follows; Recorded on my Suunto Ambit

This was a great choice, exercise, burning calories (571Kcal) and being amongst the great out doors.

Did it go to plan, well not really, it was all a bit on the hoof, but anyone that knows the area, will follow my description below.

Setting off from Earley in Reading, I made my way to Sonning via Shepherds House Hill, cutting down through to Sonning from the A4 Bath Road.

Thinking I could cut through the church yard, "No Cycling" so a quick U-turn and back on the road down to Sonning Bridge. Reaching the hump back bridge I turned off left onto the Thames Towpath to Reading, first picture opportunity, Sonning Lock

Here was first change of plan, on the gate, "No Cycling" oh well, this is not going to plan, but heyho, it was too nice to turn back, so I dismounted, and walked along the riverside, enjoying the morning greetings of those on the river, and dog walkers and other folk just taking a stroll, admiring the swans and boats moored up or cruising the river.....

Then after a little while I was passed by a couple of cyclists riding past, so perhaps the sign was meant only for the area by the lock, so I decided to get back on my bike and continue my journey on two wheels. What was surprising was just how many people were about, all doing their own thing.

As I came towards an opening I spotted an unusual way to travel on the water, looked dodgy to me.

and by total contrast they were followed by this 

shows the extremes quite nicely

Further on the activity on the land and water increased significantly, many people doing kayak or canoeing lessons, kayakers making their way up stream, lots of dog walkers and families with young toddlers or pushing buggies, fishermen, we were now in the shadows of the Suttons Business Park.

Coming to Horse Shoe Bridge, I crossed over the River Kennet, to continue on the Thames towpath, once again coming into a clearing called King's Meadow.

Now the skies were looking more threatening, I had heard about a new crossing over the Thames, set between Reading Bridge & Caversham Bridge, this was to be my goal.

Sadly the towpath is closed due to Bridgeworks and a helpful sign says"Find Alternative Route"

Knowing the area, my plan was to cross Reading Bridge and cycle over the new Bridge. No, that did not work, the new bridge is still under construction, and has no points of access, now I'm on the North side of the Thames, so I make my way through to Caversham Bridge and return to the South side of the Thames.

Now I am cycling through Reading on major roads, what a contrast to ten minutes ago. Cutting through to the Railway station, unrecognisable, what have they done, after living so many years in a town with a seventies look, it has all gone modern and large buildings wrapped in scaffold, shows how often I visit the town centre. 

Carrying my bike up the stairs, where none previously existed, I was on the forecourt of the station where a group of pickets, or strikers were assembled, no time fore them, in more ways than one.

Time to head home, roadway or towpath? As I cycled along King's Road, I opted to go down Gas Works Lane, past Blake's Lock Museum, over a small bridge spanning the Kennet into Newtown by Cholmely Road, along the towpath, under Horse Shoe Bridge, along to Sutton's Industrial Estate.

The remainder of the journey was home along roads, such as The Drive, and Church Road etc.

Five minutes from home the rain began, but too little too late to spoil what had been a great bike ride.

The moral of this story is, all that pleasure and exercise cost me was some calories and 100 minutes of my time. It also opened my eyes to see what is on my own doorstep, what's on yours?

Go out and have a look, it'll do you the world of good...........

and later on me and this wee fella will be going for a walk with my wife Sue