Day off work

 I enjoyed having a day off work and what better way to spend it than getting out on my bike.

The plan was to go up to Buxton via the High Peak trail and then back by the Monsal Trail.

However, the best laid plans and all that. After 20 miles my legs were just saying no and I used my head and didn't fight the signals. I'm not in the best place at the moment health wise and I expected too much from myself.

It started off well, I was trying out some new gear and the temps were perfect. Cromford canal was in full autumn mode and was a pleasure to ride next too.

The issue came after 7 miles when the Via Gelia started. The Via is an 8 mile climb, not steep but long. By the time I got to the High Peak Trail, I was Knackered and my legs and HR were telling me how unfit I am.

I cut the ride short after 20 miles and decided to blitz down the road to Winster and back home on the White Peak trail to Matlock and back.

I had a pitstop at the Wharf at Cromford for a coffee and a piece of cake.

The new gear was a great success, The Rapha Jacket is well worth the money, as is their long sleeved top. I also tried out a pair of DHB Bib-tights, again a great success.

In the end the ride ended up being 44.58 miles long, 19 miles short of my target. I need to gain my fitness back before I go for Buxton again.

Re-visit the blog

 I've lost count of the number of times I've tried to breathe new life into my blog. It was started in an era before social media and was mainly for friends and family.

Social media as definitely been the death of blogs and the main reason I stopped post on my blog. However, I'm growing very disillusioned with all of social media.

Twitter - Now off the platform after 15 years on it. The day to day racism, killings, bullying videos and the shite that comes out of Musk's mouth make it too much of a toxic platform.

Instagram - What's the point?

TikTok - Never been on it, never will.

WhatsApp - Use for most personal messaging and for work.

Messenger - Use for FB Marketplace and for my wife who like the platform rather than WhatsApp.

Facebook - Use on a weekly basis, good for keeping in touch with far flung friends and family, interests and marketplace.

I will try to post more on this blog, and now I have a new laptop I'll try...