Neither Fish nor Fowl

In the words of Retro, today was neither fish nor fowl. My interpretation of that, was that it wasn't nice, but it wasn't terrible either - cold and damp, but doable for a while if you went hard enough to keep the heart pumping, or in Sean's case to keep it close to max....

Nine of us left Forestside, with a mixture of Lites and heavies. My notional plan was to keep it steady and flattish to Balloo, then split. If the Lites went round the coast for coffee in Castle Espie the heavies could do a longer loop and maybe arrive before they left. After we split Retro requested a visit to Nendrum and I'm all about making wishes come true, so that's where we headed, followed by another loop. Flashdance headed for home, while Monsieur Poulet, Bones, Digger, Retro and me called at Castle Espie. 

By the look of strava the Lites - Derek, Lanterne and Martin exercised their democratic right and headed to Ballygowan and Carryduff instead.

After coffee we planned to loop round Scrabo and Craiganlet, but as the mizzle started I came over all sensible (the worst insult you can give a Castlereagh rider) and suggested we just drop down Bradshaws home. Retro asked me which way I was planning to get to my house, which immediately told me he wanted more.... Before you know it, four of us were climbing Gilnahirk and Braniel - idiots....

Only 3.5 hours with a relatively easy start, but a lot better for the body than lying on the sofa. Bones is looking scary strong, but Retro and Digger aren't far behind. Ps in 1963 the Royal Mail didn't have a squirrel on their stamps - there was a badger and a red deer - he checked.....

https://www.strava.com/activities/472334316

https://www.strava.com/activities/472235001

Categories: castle espie, Ride, Strava