Errandonnee #3: A Breezy Day Out

On the road again!

Saturday dawned dull and grey but I decided to trust the BBC and head out in expectation that the mist would clear away to spring sunshine. That prediction did come true though not until early afternoon rather than mid-morning. It was a great day to be outdoors though. The day's outing, in contrast to the previous day's, was almost entirely in the countryside. I had signed up for the fortnightly Breeze Ride and decided to tack on a visit to the Travel Choices Hub to pick up a few personal belongings I'd left there a few weeks ago. While the Breeze Ride itself did not qualify as an Errandonnee, the ride to the start and the detour to the Hub afterward certainly did.

Errandonnee #3

Date: Saturday, 8 March 2014

Category: Bike Shop

Destination:  PedalWorks, West Street, Dunstable (meeting point for Breeze Ride)

Distance:  6.5 km

Steed: Riley the Enigma

What I learned/observations:

1. Don't head off for the day without your water bottle! I left mine, with High5 tabs fizzing away inside it, on the countertop in the kitchen. Fortunately, I arrived at the Breeze meeting point with enough time to pop into PedalWorks -- conveniently within arm's reach! -- to buy one. Not that I need yet another water bottle. Brian, the shop owner, was kind enough to fill it with water for me. I had a couple of High5 tabs with me. All was good.

Camelbak Podium bottle. Very impressed with the patented valve
- so easy to use, with no spillage!

2. Happiness is new socks.

Vulpine Merino Long Socks in Grey w/ Navy & Red Dots

A few photos from the 33km Breeze Ride itself --

View of the Glide Club at the base of Dunstable Downs.

After the ride, I popped into the Travel Choices Hub to pick up some shoes I'd left behind and also to socialise with my former colleagues. "Dr Bike" was in session and I enjoyed watching him work and chatting with people whose bikes were in for some attention.

One Hub visitor was Katie who attends a local junior school.
Her bike -- and her mum's and dad's -- are now in tip top shape
ready for springtime cycle rides. 

It was then a leisurely pootle home via the Busway and the brutally steep Chaul End Road.