Bike vs train

Its official: bikes are faster than trains.

Sometimes, at least.

Last week, faced with a 55 minute wait for a 15 minute train ride to carry me the 10.1 leafy miles between Coventry to Warwick, the challenge was set.

You would too, right?

If you've spent 2 years waiting for trains in Coventry - yes, you would.

So it was best wheel forward on my trusty Brompton, needing to make only 8 mph to beat the unfortunately timed train...

Riding through the fresh, leafy autumnal countryside, 
I couldnt wipe the child-like grin off my face. it felt so good to be flying through the countryside after a few weeks in the city.

As hoped, the ride got me there earlier, warmer and considerably happier than the train. job done
:

Planning

Moving on swiftly, I think spring might be my favourite time of year.

Fewer chances to use the excuse that it's too cold, wet or windy, and time to think about where might be fun to ride later in the year. Fortunately the decision is made easier this year since a good friend is taking a year off work to cycle through Europe and across North Africa (and wherever the wind takes him beyond that...). Myself and J plan to meet him in the South West of France for 2 weeks of gentle adventure: Pyrenees foothills, west coast surfing, Bordeaux cuisine - it should be a welcome break.

I've enjoyed following his progress building a bike from scratch for his trip - at fair cost I assume but built to last a lifetime. Knowing the ins and outs of the object you rely on to travel isn't too bad an idea. Especially since mechanical things have a habit of going wrong at awkward moments, and having put the thing together in the first place gives you as good a shot as possible to get yourself out of trouble.

I'm writing this in part to get some ideas down of places to ride this year:

• South West France
• Bruges to Lille
• London to Brum?
• Brum to Brambles (Ed did Sheffield to Brambles, 180 miles ish, in 1long day to reach concert!)
• Lots of commuting (£150 a month season ticket to avoid)
• Welsh hills - just brilliant and not too far
• Peak District - on my doorstep, be rude not to...
• Scotland - remember thinking how much more time I could spend exploring as I rushed through LEJOG
• (See top 100 UK hill climbs xmas book!)

So apologies for the boring post - more for my benefit than anyone's interest! I hope exciting memories and amusing photos will stem from it...