Headlines from the Zomerzet News

A few days to go on here. Mostly fairly uneventful, not many photos but keeping the mileage ticking over.  That way I'm keeping ahead of my unofficial target for the year of 5,000 miles.
Wed Aug. 28th.  Went climbing today. A ride over the Mendip hills, well ,toward the end of the Mendips, at Bleadon.  This involved a climb of 460 feet over a couple of miles before dropping down Canada Combe on the other side.  From then on it was a fairly flat one around the outside of Weston taking in Sand Bay.  In all it was just over 23 miles.
Thursday 29th Aug.  As I seem to have 'won' the title of regular ride Captain for the Friday Riders section of the Old Gits CC (The chap whose idea it was has never actually completed a ride with us yet in over 18 months) I am always looking for different routes to keep the punters happy.  For a time we fell into a routine of NE one week, south and east the next.  Both, half decent rides, with a little variation but every now and then we do need a change.  Having spotted a couple of little lanes down on the Levels that seem worth exploring I went down through Highbridge and along a very quiet, out of the way lane, (the photo, taken along there. shows an extension of the Huntspill man made river) that ended with a climb into Chilton Polden, towards the end of the Polden Ridge that runs along the A39 Bridgwater to Bath Road.  There is a pleasant cafe at Shapwick Nature Reserve that would suit our purpose a treat.  This is a definite maybe, especially at around 43 miles.  Just what we need.



The next day, the 30th Sep, the Friday Riders went to Wrington for tea and cake at Mother Hen's Tea Room.  34 miles, not a bad runout at all.
Felt the need for a bit of a rest after a busy few days so didn't go out again until Tuesday the, 3rd September when the Old Gits did a 23 miler to Burnham on Sea.  Weather seems to have turned a bit by now, very autumnal on this one.
Catching up the miles again on Wednesday 4th September with another ride over to Mother Hen's.  A solitary one this, starting out with just over half a battery to see if the remainder will get me round the 37 miles.  It did, despite going up a steep climb at Brackley Combe (see Photo) which was a relief!  Nothing like tempting fate! At the top of Brackley is the end of the runway at Bristol Airport, which can be exciting during take off and landing.

Friday 6th September should have been an adventure, going through the two big disused rail tunnels near Bath.  This has been on the cards a couple of times but once again, the weather forecast was pretty grim so we started off with the intention of not leaving Weston.  Four Friday riders turned up and as it didn't seem as bad as the forecast intimated, we took the plunge and went for the Shiplake Nature Reserve option.  That proved a good decision as there was little rain to speak off and the wind was not as fierce as expected.  That was another 43 miles to add to the collection.
Today, the 8th September was a very nice, end of summer Sunday.  I put a shout out to see if any OGs were about but no reply came back until 3 hours into the ride!  The intention was to get to Bridgwater and back over the Levels a round trip of about 50 miles.  After 10 miles, at Highbridge a recurring neck ache appeared and I turned back after a cup of tea in Apex Park.  Not before getting this shot of some fundraisers pushing a boat to Bridgwater.  A good effort for an Altzheimer's charity.



All in all a good few days clocking up some miles in all sorts of weather and location. The neck ache is bothering me a bit, I suspect the geometry of the new bike may need tweaking. A place at Bridgwater will check it out for £150.  Yes right!