Ready to Ride

It could be that the weather gods may... Well... If not smile on us tomorrow, at least give us a friendly glance. And so the 9am start on the 50 mile urban ride (which I believe may have the twitter hash tag of #anthsride) might only be a bit drizzly, with the day gradually clearing as the miles are racked up.

I've always been intrigued by the thought of long urban rides and how they would differ from similar extra-urban distances. Mind you, the devised route has factored in bike paths and leafy single track roads, so it's not all grit and grime. It takes in the Craigentinny Marbles, a Wild West Town (yes really), the seaside, a king of the mountains ascent of a spiral multi-storey car park, river and canal, hills, tunnels, and a lunchtime pub stop. Seems a few other people agree with me that it could be fun and have agreed to come along (including some from here, so there may be more than just my blip to log the day).

My main aim is to devise a 100 mile urban route that doesn't use the same road twice, not even just to cross. It's eminently doable (I mentioned this on a forum whereby someone produced a 256km spiral ride route that never crossed). I've slated late-July or early-August for that attempt, we'll see if tomorrow encourages anyone to join in the fun.

p.s. came home to a pair of Stock Doves in the garden, which was a first (at least that I've realised, they're similar to feral pigeons, but a little slighter and a wee it prettier - it ws Mel who pointed them out saying they looked like a cross between a feral and a woodpigeon).