Marple to Lyme Park - 16 miles in the bag

Today it is raining.  I am definitely not into this enough yet to go out in bad weather, choosing instead to blog about last weekend's cycle and watch the rain falling at a 45 degree angle outside the window, whilst remaining dry.

Last Sunday it was a lovely sunny day, cool and a bit breezy so perfect for our first cycle of any substance, and it was with enthusiasm that we set off in the direction of Lyme Park with the intention of giving ourselves a decent work out on the hills that this route entails.  You can click on the link below for the route we took

Marple to Lyme Park by karenagarner at Garmin Connect - Details

The first mile of gradual but persistent uphill left me with burning legs and slightly dented my confidence but the road levelled off a bit and became more undulating so that climbs were followed by enough of a recovery period to keep going.  It was with something akin to smug satisfaction that we pedalled through the park gates.

After successfully navigating the cattle grid (bum out of the saddle, naturally) we enjoyed a pleasant ride through the park with a short detour down a dirt track that afforded us a magnificent view over the city of Manchester.  Despite it being rather hazy we were able to make out the distinctive profile of the Hilton Hotel in the distance and the hills beyond.

View of Manchester from Lyme Park

Cycling away from the traffic is so much nicer - particularly when it's downhill!  Total rush of adrenaline!  I was still a bit cautious though as memories of my last (and only) real attempt at off roading in Canada years ago have not been lost.  In Canada, if a cycle route is described as 'Intermediate', they mean it!  I managed to launch myself down the hillside independently of the bike and went rolling off into the undergrowth.  This resulted in several nasty bumps and scratches, to my body and my pride - fortunately, none of them serious.  This time I managed to stay on board.

Just over 2:15 hours later we arrived back home, rather saddle sore, but completely exhilarated and hooked.  16.37 miles - this is just the beginning.

In Lyme Park