Afternoon Cycle

   I guess one of the perks of my job is that I get to be my own boss, I can take the odd hour off when I please and I can work longer hours if I wish to. This week has been no different, I decided to take a few hours off to cycle one of our local areas of interest, Ten Mile Bank. For me it's quite a long trip, just over 30 miles in total, I know those who cycle will laugh and say that's nothing but for a guy who is still over 20 stone it's not that easy, as one guy I know said, it's like some of those who cycle having another guy on their back while they cover the miles, which I guess is correct. Anyway I set off for Ten Mile Bank and Denver Sluice via Welney, of course the fen breeze was in full force as always but after cycling through the winter I'm now getting used to it.

   As I passed through the village of Welney and headed towards the Wetland Centre the sunshine was warming the air and for once I was happy to be away from my flame, nothing better than being out in the wilds of the fens with not a care in the world. The WWT Centre was busy with lots of children there, a great place for the parents to take them in the Easter holidays and the flooded meadows still looked like they held a wide range of wetland birds.

   Soon I was heading towards the small hamlet of Ten Mile Bank and the lovely open river that was the reason for this ride, this area always seems so peaceful to me, yes the small drove road follows alongside the river bank but hardly a car passes and the river holds so much wildlife, it sure takes your mind off of those aching legs. The odd family having picnics and locals out walking but apart from that it was pure peace and for once with the wind behind the ride was an easy one for a few miles. As I arrived at Denver Sluice the boating crowds were there, sitting on their floating weekend palaces, spring cleaning their little vessels and some just sitting enjoying the sunshine, I guess to them this place will be their weekend retreat for the next few months.

   After a drink break and 20 minutes watching the boats it was time to head home via Downham Market, around 10 miles and every yard would be against the wind. I could have picked  nice still day but I guess if I can do this trip in the wind then I can now do it at any time, plus the extra work can only be good for me.
   When I think of that first day on a bike and after just 20 mins how I had to get off being so out of breath, I'm now quite proud that I head off every day on my trip of just under 20 miles and these longer trips like Ten Mile Bank, it goes to show that even the biggest of us can get fit, we can lose weight and start to enjoy life again, we just have to want it. Hopefully this coming holiday weekend I might get to do my next longer trip and if so I'll post it on here.