Well Steinbeck travelled with Charley (a poodle) so I thought I would travel with my pet Henry today.
Really the route I took today combined a number of fairly familiar paths to give some gentle climbing off-road exercise, and keep Henry happy but not overstressed. While staying in a compact geographical area. Having said that, when my HRM hit 220 I thought **** , but it was just interference with my phone – as soon as it was banished to my back-pack my heart rate retuned to normal.
I started in Pycombe and took the path towards Woolstonbury. This was a bit of a mistake as I soon got caught up in Saturday Pony Club horse traffic. So instead of going upto the top of Woolstonbury I turned right towards the South Downs Way. I took this to just past Ditchling Beacon before turning right again, heading for the top of Stanmer Park. A few paths around Stanmer then back out, up and west to Pycombe. [See later piccy for Route]. It was up, down, up, down, up, down,up, down, up, down, up, down, up and down i.e. not much flat easy peasy stuff today. Just over 15.5 muddy miles and c 2200 ft of climbing (according to my bike computer – MMR has it several ’00 less – and looking at the profile it misses out a couple of the descents and climbs).
This is now about the 6th ride on 27.5″ wheels and I am more and more impressed – especially with the traction afforded by the larger diameter wheels and the Minion DHF 3C EXO TR tyres (what a mouthful) I plumped for – It is like point and go, and a bit more. They install more confidence and in the end I was taking lines that I wouldn’t have considered before. And Henry behaved.
Gotta love the mud! Glad your tires are working out for you.
Thank you – I think mud is easier than snow – it looks rather cold where you are. All the best,
Photo number two I find especially pleasing and evocative. Superb.
Sent from my iPad
Thanks M dear boy! You have an open invitation to join me in the mud!