I woke early and once again got into the morning routine. This involved unplugging all the different things that had been charging overnight – phones, Garmin, GoPro, lights and watch. Then putting everything into different plastic bags and packing the panniers.
Morning phone call and then outside. It was still dark but I had a special treat for Shirley. There was a jet wash and I treated her to another clean. I was beginning to wish I was in Iceland (country not shop) as every little garage there has a free car wash. Mind you they need it given the condition of their ‘roads”. As I cleaned I noticed that I had lost a bolt on the front mudguard which was now loose but still secure – thank you Temple cycles.
Then, as the day dawned I set off. I had planned a route through the extensive housing estates between me and the A5 and I was able to find my way back without too much difficulty although the fact I was having to go uphill slowed progress. I emerged on the main road opposite the race course and followed a cycle path to the junction where I had joined the previous evening. Overnight I had decided though not to retrace my steps and instead followed the main road. Unfortunately there were masses of road works and so the surface was poor but at least it slowed the traffic. I had a somewhat nervy couple of miles before turning onto a quiet country road that led eastwards to the canal. Through the sleepy village of Alderton and onto the junction with the A508. There were road works here too and a car in front of me at a temporary traffic light. I thought I ought to wait and did so watching the different streams of traffic heading along the main road as they passed through the road works. We waited. And waited. After about ten minutes watching as other traffic moved and we were still stuck I decided to become the popular image of a cyclist and went through the red lighe behind the row of cones. I emerged onto the main road and was relieved to see a cycle path on right hand side of the road. This was very fortunate as the road was probably busier than the A5 had been. I don’t know what there is in Northampton but people are both very keen to get there but also to get away from it.
After a couple of gentle (but slow) hills I turned eastward again, away from the traffic to the village of Cosgrove where I found the canal again. The towpath looked in very good condition for cycling and I set off towards Milton Keynes.
I have to say that the next few miles were probably a highlight of the journey. There was a reasonable surface and I was able to make good progress. The towpath was quiet but there were a few boats moving. Before the ride, I had debated whether I should follow the canal which loops widely or cut through the town (city?). But I was relishing the relative peacefulness and so stayed on the towpath. Good progress on what was becoming a nice morning. After turning south I finally came to a shopping area – and there was a bike shop!!. I crossed over to it and asked if they could secure my mudguard which they did. When asked where I had come from they were impressed with “Nantwich – that’s near Manchester”. I also bought a stiff brush to help with the task of mud removal! Before setting off again, I messaged my cousin Nick. When I had told him earlier in the year that I was contemplating the ride he had suggested meeting up and I wanted to visit the graves of my uncle Billy and auntie Janet at Old Linslade near Leighton Buzzard where NIck lived. We had arranged to meet for lunch and things were looking good. The route even off the towpath was very well signposted on cycle paths and I soon emerged at Fenny Stratford and was going to message Nick to confirm my time as I passed through Bletchley. I was just joining the road when I understood the proverb “pride comes before a fall”. My front tyre was deflating as I had acquired a puncture.
When I bought Shirley I had seen that the wheels were “tubeless ready”. This was a new idea on a bike for me but I had talked to a friend who had explained how to carry out a puncture repair and I had a “tubeless” puncture repair kit in the panniers. I stopped beside a main roundabout and set about the repair. First problem was that the repair kit was now at the bottom of the pannier and I had to take everthing out to get at it. Then I had to closely examine the tyre to establish where the problem was. After several rotations I found the shaft of a thorn which had clearly penetrated the tyre. I used the tools from the kit to remove it and then followed the instructions on the kit to seal the hole. Feeling quite pleased with myself I then used a CO2 cylinder to reinflate the tyre. Time to repack the panniers. I did so and then set off only to feel after about 1/4 mile that the tyre was deflating again. Another stop and checking the tyre. The hole seemed to be sealed and so I used my other tube of CO2. This time I got about a mile before the tyre was again deflating. I had arrived back at the canal and knew that I wasn’t that far from Old Linslade. I had been intending to stop in a nearby village to visit the grave of Susan’s uncle but was now worried about timing. I messaged Nick and he agreed that he would walk along the canal to meet me and that there was a bike shop in Leighton Buzzard. As I joined the canal towpath I nearly asked for a lift on a passing narrow boat but I then realised that even pushing the bike I was going faster.
After about a mile I met Nick coming the other way and after a brief catch up we set off along to Old Linslade and the cemetary. Once there we visited the grave although I was pleased he was there as I doubt that I would have found it alone. We then set off for Leighton – again I was grateful that Nick was there as he was able to find a shorted (although steep) route and we came out on the road at Tunnel Hill – a memory from my childhood where we used to go to watch the trains. A sentimental photo, but sadly no train and then walked into Leighton. We agreed to postpone lunch in the hope that the bike shop was open. I explained to Nick that I was unfamiliar with tubeless tyres and therefore didn’t know what the shop would be able to do. I was pleased to see that it was a traditional bikeshop and made my way inside to explain my problem.
I am almost ashamed to write the next paragraph. I explained my problem to the owner. He took one look at the wheel and informed me that the tyre was not tubeless but had an inner tube. Clearly all my repairs to the outside had been in vain as the inner tube was clearly punctured!! Now I normally carry at least two spare inner tubes and could easily have repaired a “traditional” puncture! Susan is always telling me to check things and not make an assumption – very good advice in this case. The chap in the shop agreed that he could fix the puncture and I ordered two new inner tubes, some CO2 and a pump. OK there was no excuse for not already carrying a pump but I had only realised that I didn’t have one with me after I had set off. The bike would be ready at 2:30 and Nick and I went to a local pub to have a catch up.
We had a very pleasant hour and a half getting outside a couple of pints of Aspalls on draught. Gill joined us and we had a good chat sharing memories. Nick also helpfully explained the best way to complete the next section of my route to avoid the “rat-run” roads. He had experience of canal towpath cycling and warned against branches sticking out and also very muddy sections. Good advice.
Sadly the pub didn’t do food and so at about two fifteen we made our way to a local baker where I was able to refuel with a cheese and onion slice. Hardly the best quality of fuel for a bike ride but it and the cider kept me going. Then to the bike shop where I had to explain my tale of complete lack of common sense to the owner. I then stocked up with two spare inner tubes, two CO2 cannisters and a pump which I attached to the rear rack with a couple of cable ties.
Then it was time to set off and thanking Nick profusely for his help and local knowledge I set off towards Watford. I was a bit concerned about the amount of time that I had before it would get dark. It was nearly quarter to three and I had over thirty miles to go before it got dark. I had a contingency plan to stop at an intermediate station if necessary and get a train for the final part of the journey. I just hoped for no more misfortune.
The path out of Leighton Buzzard took me a road and although busy the traffic was attentive and I was able to make safe progress. When planning the route, I had intended to visit the Grand Union again at Pitstone and also at Slapton – places where, over sixty years ago I had gone fishing with my brothers. But now i was concerned about the late hour and so I stayed on the roads. I passed through Cheddington and close to Pitstone where I had a small climb to a road junction. As I pushed hard, I felt a pain at the front of my left knee. I continued and fortunately after I turned right, although I could feel some pain I was able to descend slightly into Tring. This was another busy road so I was grateful to be able to turn off and through some side roads aiming for Tring Station and there hoping to pick up the canal towpath. Nick had said that although it might be muddy in places I should be able to stay on the canal all the way to Watford. He had also advised me to admire the canal engineering through an extensive cutting. I have to admit that I was concentrating on making progress, hoping my knee would not worsen and beating the advance of the night.
Fortunately after a couple of miles the canal surface improved and I was able to make good progress through Northchurch, Berkhamstead (time for a pic) where there were a few people walking and then back out into the country towards Hemel Hempstead. A little bit of a diversion onto the road and through some backstreets but then back onto the towpath. The path changed sides a couple of times but I was making good progress. I passed under the M25 where I seemed to be all alone under the noise of the traffic and now on the right hand bank back into the countryside and with light now failing I emerged on a bridge and roundabout into Watford.
A more experienced tourist would have already entered the details for the Travelodge but you know me by now and so I had to stop to plan the route. It was actually straightforward altough made quite complex by the volume of traffic which coupled with parked cars made me slightly nervous after so long in the wilds! i stopped at every junction to check my route and also to switch on my lights. Then I was very relieved to see the lights of the Travelodge and to check in. I had made it OK without any further incident and could afford to relax.
This I did and then I ventured out into the town for food. After walking up and down the High Street I found an Italian restaurant which judging by the number of customers was the place to eat in Watford. I rewarded myself with a glass of red wine and a garlic bread starter. This turned out to be the size of a pizza and when my main course (4 cheese gnocchi) arrived I seriously thought I would have to find someone to share it with.
Then a panic. I had changed into my tracksters for the evening and rather than wearing my pouch with cash and credit cards I had put my cards into the pocket of my tracksters. When I went to pay for my meal I discovered that I must have dropped one of the cards while walking up and down the high street. Panic and a frantic phone call to the bank to try and cancel the card which I managed after about ten minutes. Then an apologetic call to Susan to explain that the card would now be cancelled for the next few days.
Not the most successful of days but I had still managed it OK – Shirley had come through despite my ignorance and I was relieved to know that I only had a relatively short day tomorrow and could even have a bit of a later start.
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| Day Miles | 60 |
| Overall Miles | 258 |
| Day Time | 7hrs (including walking!!) |
| Overall Time | 26 hours |