Thursday 30 October 2008

Biking, Brigadoon and Barthes.

Decided to ride from home to Uni today as I needed a book from the library, the plan was to ride there and back, but it didn't quite work out. I have yet to find a satisfactory route through Preston, part of the difficulty is that the River Ribble seems to only be crossed by huge road bridges of speeding bad drivers resulting in terror. The maps seem to indicate the existence of an Old Tramway that crosses with niceness into Avenham Park but I can't find it, it's like the Brigadoon of bike routes! So there was just some random weaving about in central Lancashire until I crossed the river on the A59. 

Finally I made it to Uni, got my book, discovered I had mistakenly checked out the French version so had to take it back, then convince the librarian that a 3 day loan restriction on the English translation wasn't really necessary who else wants to read Barthes Mythologies, she agreed and with double good luck used the wrong date stamp and couldn't be bother re-checking me in and out again let me have the book for 3 weeks! Was on the way back out of the building when I got stopped by my tutor who went all misty eyed about that days he used to ride, much fawning over the Pompino, discussion of riding fixed, suitable bikes for his 7 year old so he can start riding again with the family, the benefits of cross training and carb loading, why peanut butter and banana is such a good combination.... etc. etc. 

By this point I had abandoned all idea of riding the 35 miles home again, rang Glyn who drove up to Lytham to meet me, bike in back of car, dog on the beach and a trip to the best chippy ever, made for the perfect end to a good day. Just over 45 miles riding, the longest ever on the Pompino. Some attempt will be made to upload a map from my Garmin to here, but don't hold your breathe waiting for it! 

8 comments:

trio said...

Good length ride that, base miles started?

I've sent you a pic of my route over the ribble yesterday which avoided the main road, still not got my route 100% round preston but it was improved.

As for biek for a 7year old it has to be an isla bike
http://www.islabikes.co.uk/

jumbly said...

I'd already suggested Islabikes to him so hopefully he'll get sorted.

The route I took yesterday wasn't too bad apart from the brief bit of A59, I think Preston just isn't a nice place to ride to be honest!

Julbags said...

I know how to get onto the tramway bridge as I cycle it all the time, it is the nicest way to cross the Ribble. It can take you from Strand Road in Preston through the park and you will eventually find yourself onto the A6 going into Chorley. Let me know if you want some directions, I used to cycle from Blackpool to Lostock Hall quite often.

Julbags said...

Just noticed you actually cycle through Lytham etc. I ride the same way through Warton and Preston so should be even easier to direct you!

jumbly said...

Some directions would be handy thanks, I'd like to try and ride the whole way in a bit more often than I currently do. Maybe we could try and meet up one day and ride it together. (Trio can vouch for me that I'm not some psycho nut job if you're worried about meeting weird people off the internet).

trio said...

Except she only knows me as an internet person through shecycles jumbly so I could be a psycho - oh yes I am!

jumbly said...

Hmm, I just assumed you knew each other in real life not just cyber-land, that makes it trickier to vouch for me then doesn't it! Anyway Trio, normal psycho-nut jobs who have e-friends and are obsessive about bikes and running and stuff are fine, it's the axe wielding, cannibal types that are best avoided!

trio said...

No I think I come into the former category! I don't fancy the cannibal thing!