Fifty

Just before hitting the big five-o, I ran my last 'in my 40’s' ParkRun. This was my 82nd ParkRun, at Holbrooks, and I ran in a time of 26:44. This was a small event with only 93 participating. I finished in 41st place. The course was 2 laps around the perimeter of Holbrooks Park in Coventry, followed by a small loop at the finish. About half the route was paved and the remainder on grass. This was my 8th ParkRun this year, just 9 to go to beat my most ParkRuns in a calendar year.

Then I hit 50! This was a great birthday and I had not one, but 2 caterpillar birthday cakes! My wife SJ had gotten me one and Jade P, who clearly had great taste, had brought me the other. (A big, big thanks). Work had kindly let me take TOIL today, so much feasting was to be had. SJ took me to Willi’s cafe for a big breakfast and later we went for a carvery with our homies. My parents gifted me an interesting dragon which my daughter Moo named ‘Dingle-berry’. Spoon gifted me a troll, and Moo gifted an octopus. All these creatures did look kinda cool together.

To stretch my birthday celebrations that bit longer, Jamie sorted a birthday bonanza bike-packing adventure. With loaded bikes we left K’s abode in Shropshire and headed for the Wrekin, the official start of our route. In actual fact, we made our official start a café in Atcham, where we stopped and ate some rather awesome sausage and egg baps to provide us with fuel.

We cycled on a beautiful sunny day and cycling up and around the Stiperstones was awesome. The landscape was wild and atmospheric. There were lots of pools of water, though decided not to go for a dip as I hadn’t packed a towel (or trunks). There was lots of wildlife around, could hear the birds singing and saw a number of birds of prey. Also in the sky were some fighter jets. Apparently, lizards and frogs lived on the landscape too, though we only saw what looked like squashed Tregaron mountain toads. The hills were hilly and I forgot how energy sapping it was to cycle a 17% gradient on a loaded heavy bike. The super fast descents became less scary than anticipated because ‘just like magic’, my disc brakes started working correctly and proved awesome. Maybe it had taken this long for the brakes to bed in?

We passed through (or at least, very close to) Newtown and stopped for a spot of lunch. Unlike usual, I opted for a healthy meal (beef stew). Next food stop in Rhayader was more like me and I chose burger and chips. Once in Rhayader it was dark and finding somewhere to stop and camp was on our minds. Rhayader bothy wasn’t far away and Mr Odge had text us enquiring if we planned to stop there. He also sent some information stating that we would have to trudge through a mile of bog to get to the bothy. (Earlier in the day, we had cycled through a place called ‘the bog’). A Google search revealed a stream crossing would also have to be navigated. Figured best plan would be to visit said bothy on another occasion with Mr Odge and the Phantom in tow. We cycled in the dark towards the Elan Valley, hoping to just have sight of the bothy, but this never happened.

As we climbed an ascent, we did see something strange though. Initially, it looked like there were lit up windows on the mountain side. Then these windows looked more like torches, like a line of druids or KKK folk or something - it was eery and kinda scary. I commented that it looked like the mountains were on fire - and then, it became clear, the mountains really were on fire! Apparently, these were controlled burns (we found out later) and part of age-old methods of renewing vegetation. Jamie and I were concerned for the poor wild life and grateful we hadn’t camped on a burning hill side. 

Talking of camping, we still had to find a suitable spot. Everything looked different in the dark but after cycling for a little while further we spotted a trailer on what looked like flat ground. We decided to camp here. What a top choice this turned out to be. Flat ground, near a running river with awesome views. The starry sky looked awesome and when morning light appeared we could see just how majestic our camp spot was.

After a camp cooked porridge and tea we headed off in search of the coast. My bike's 3rd bottle cage on my down tube made an awesome porridge pot holder, as did the space between my tri-bars, who knew?! With the new gas canister stand the Phantom recently brought me (cheers), I was able to go back to using my smallest, lightest stove, without having stability issues. (The same stove that I took on my Torino - Nice jolly).

We cycled about 140k on day 1, and day 2 saw us cycle about 145k more. The day started with some lovely fast long descents with breath taking views around Cwmystwyth. We passed the Devil’s Bridge (luckily, he was absent), continued through Ponterwyd and made it to the coast in Borth.

The Arch - somewhere near Aberystwyth - Cwmystwyth

Jamie had not been to Borth since he was a nipper and was able to recall the two past holidays with his family. He told me about his dad’s kite flying and purchased a post card for his sister here. Later, his sister sent a photo of him in the sea here from many moons ago. We didn’t plan a swim today (no towel and all that). 

Following Borth, we found a nice café for essential fuel purposes. Good job we ate well, much ascent followed as we cycled through Machynlleth. We could see lots of blackened hill sides, from fires for sure, and we thought back to the fire burning last night. Cycling was tough, not only were we fighting with ascent, the wind was beating real hard too and we were somewhat fatigued. At times, the wind would blow us from one side of the road to the other. 

Machynlleth - Derwenlas

I remember we would stop at odd times, mostly to fuel up. It’s amazing what you can devour when hungry - at one stop I had cheese biscuits, banana and milk shake. Equally odd, was the random things we would encounter, like a big wooden bird. Odder still, was the company I kept! (Only joking, Jamie). 

With some much snacking throughout the day, we figured we’d skip an evening meal. Then we saw McDonalds and quickly changed plans! After Maccies, we cycled until it was dark and then looked for somewhere to camp. We found somewhere just in time, - it had started to rain and got quite heavy. Thankfully, the rain was most heavy once we were inside our bivvy’s. We lay in a place near Leigh, which made me grin (have no idea if I pronounced the place name correctly). 

When morning came, so did the sound of many chattering birds including a noisy goose. I had slept well but some wetness had come through my bivvy - probably a mix of rain, condensation and sweat. Jamie had experienced same issue and we figured we might have to re-proof our bivvys. It wasn’t so bad, but wet does dampen things a little. 

Our final day of cycling saw us leaving Leigh (where we lay) and heading back to where we started from. We cycled just short of 60k, on this our last day. As we passed through Atcham again, we figured we would end as we started and pig out on sausage and egg baps at the café once more. This time around, they were extra generous with the sausage and we added bacon too! With bellies full of food we cycled through Great Bolas and back to the start. Boom! Nice one Jamie.

I know I’m only a few days into the 50 club, but, so far so good. When I hit 50, one friend asked if I was sad and another asked if I was depressed. I’m not sad and I’m not depressed. Thus far, being 50 has been great and we all know further adventure awaits!

Thanks to all those who wished me well, brought me presents and planned adventure with me. I have plenty to eat, much to drink and money to spend. I’m a very blessed Doo - thank you.