Rachel Thompson MBERiding

chilling out on two wheels

aSwe head into spring, I will be grateful for and looking forward to some warmer weather. the recent cold spell cYcLING with EDMUND LoDITE hasn’t stopped me from cycling, but it has reduced the amount of time I could stay out on the bike. the low temperatures create difficult conditions particularly when combined with a wind chill that can take the “real feel” to several degrees below zero.

On another one of those days, I head off this time towards the Mendip hills. Because of the wintery conditions I decide to take my trek hybrid bike. It’s been a good bike to me over the years and reliable in wintery conditions. Illustration by sarah Maycock

Fairly soon I’m heading uphill on the Mendips. My speed drops at that moment, the uncomfortable extremes of hot and cold but the effort heats me up to the point where I start to think I’ve that I’ve experienced on this bike ride are forgotten and I reach put on too many layers. But it’s too late now – and in any case home healthier and happier! would I rather be too hot or too cold? Looking to the future, exercise may still be restricted but

I ponder that predicament as a welcome distraction until I reach hopefully as the vaccination programme rolls out things may the top of harptree hill and then the biting easterly wind kicks in. return to a new kind of normality. With that in mind it’s good to I take a sip of water but it is so cold that I leave the rest untouched see that there are a few cycling sportives appearing on the horizon. and wonder if it may start to freeze before I get home. and if you want to have at least one thing to look forward to

While the views on top of the Mendip hills are magnificent, it this year – why not choose a cycling event to prepare for and take is so exposed that I head to a descent down the long and winding part in! road through torhole Bottom towards Chewton Mendip. Pedalling the “Mendip Murmuration” off-road event is planned for June downhill is keeping my lower half warm but now the speed of the 12th. the route cruises and carves over and around Cheddar descent has pushed the “feels like” effect on my upper body to Gorge, Crook Peak, Black Down and Rowberrow Warren. more than the expected minus 7 degrees. Now, I’m thinking I the “Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride” road sportive is could do with some extra layers! scheduled for June 13th. Circling both Chew Valley and Blagdon at East harptree I decide to return home via a flat detour Lakes, the provisional route also takes in the classic climbs of through South Widcombe. this is a fine example of the many Cheddar Gorge and Burrington Combe. charming quiet lanes scattered across Somerset. I pass working “Mendips Classics” on July 11th offers a choice of distances farms, ponds, picturesque views and then just ahead of me a deer starting from Street. Combinations of the Somerset Levels, crosses the lane and open ground. Mendip hills and Chew Valley Lake showcase the different landscapes across Mendip. New clubhouse and finally, the Great Weston Ride is scheduled for July 18th with optional route distances starting from Long ashton and

Bath and North East Somerset Council has backed plans for a new clubhouse at Camerton and Peasedown St John Croquet Club. With a playing membership of more than 60, the current clubhouse, measuring 4.5 square metres, had become too small for the club’s needs. finishing at the coast in Weston-super-Mare. this event is a brilliant fundraiser for charities and perfect for those new to taking part in sportive events. Please note, event dates are subject to change depending on government restrictions in place at the time.

MARCHCROSSWORDSOLUTION

Across: 1. Impudently 6. Shed 9. tendu 10. Churchill 12. Calendar month 14. Flapjack 15. hutton 17. Laddie 19. Priedieu 21. Compton Martin 24. Nosedives 25. acrid 26. Ewer 27. Present day. DowN:1. Iota 2. Panacea 3. Double-jointed 4. Nick-nack 5. Laura 7. hairnet 8. Delphinium 11. Commuter train 13. Off-licence 16. arkansas 18. Demesne 20. Ignored 22. Never 23. Eddy