My longest night time ride was all part of my plan to cycle to Luton and back, a build up if you like.
After a few months of cycling around the block, and going over the same boring routes.
My bike at the time was a hybrid, fitted with 28x700 tires.
High viz jacket as standard kit.
Mobile phone and a few basic tools.
Lights were a halfords set, costing 34.99 ish.
This was going to be the telling ride, here is how it all went.
With more than a bit of apprehension i set off, heading towards Bromham.
The first few miles soon had me warmed up as i thought about the very dark journey ahead.
Passing through Stevington i silently rode on, spooking a rabbit into the road here and there.
Doing the best i could to not get spooked myself , as i rode onto Bromham.
Nothing out of the ordinary as i had ridden this route many times, i soon found myself at the retail park.
Here goes i thought as i took the Ampthill turning and headed off, taking a swig from my water bottle and shoving a sweet into my mouth.
A few cars whizzed past at what seemed like 100mph, on i went trying to avoid any pot holes as they loomed into view.
For a while i was quite disorientated as to how far i had gone, there was nothing to really confirm where i was.
Eventually i came to a landmark, oh dear i thought i had been past there miles back.
The road just seemed to go on for miles, but i felt in pretty good shape and carried on.
I am not not sure what the name of that road is but, its ever so slightly up hill, getting slightly steeper as you get nearer to Ampthill.
One thing i soon realised was the front light wasn't really as bright as i first thought.
My front wheel found its way into a join in the road , for a moment i thought i was about to hit the deck.
Fortunately i managed to stay upright, but it was a bit of a scary few moments.
One of the things i have always struggled with is, pacing myself and getting out of breath.
For this long stretch of road i simply counted, one two one two.
This was in time for my pedals going around, it also took my mind off the slow progress.
I could really do with a fag i thought, i had 2 roll ups in my bag but resisted temptation.
One thing that had worried me before the trip, was the fact there was no cycle lane.
At the end of the day its a fast road, with no lighting.
In all it took me an hour and a half to get to the Amthill hill, i never went to the top.
At this point i rang the other half to say i had made it, had a fag and started the journey home.
The trip back was pretty easy, as the first few miles were all down hill.
Nothing to ad really on the return trip, but i was chuffed to bits that i had done it.
That ride was just under 30 miles.
My girl friend thinks i am crazy going out in the dark on my own, maybe she is right...
More to follow.
Bedfordshire cyclist.
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