Out with the old .... and in with the new

Despite it's sterling efforts the old mountain bike has been starting to live up to its name, quite literally. It has to be said, it has done me proud and (with the exception of a snapped chain at Rutland Water two years ago) has never let me down. Lately though it's developed its own unique automatic gear change, which is not so clever when it makes the wrong choice at crucial uphill points on a ride. If I'm honest, the rust is building up a bit  too (I never have been big on bike maintenance) and if I were to add that the Schwalbe Marathon + tyres probably double the value of the machine, then you'll probably understand where I'm coming from!  So, time for a change and off to the LBS (local bike shop in long hand) in search of a replacement, namely a shiny new Trek DS8.2 2013, complete with 29" wheels.

The old bike is heading for warmer climes though, Africa in all probability, as the plan is to donate it to a local charity who refurbish bikes for export to the Third World.

New bike duly collected and awake to sunshine and blue skies, Sunday seemed a great day to test drive ride it.

Have to say, probably the flatest route we've ever ridden. Okay so it was never going to build on our hill climbing prowess, but at least it added more miles to the cause .... and, we actually enjoyed every minute of it ..... well almost. Initially we headed out along the quiet back lanes in the direction of St Ives, before picking up the Guided busway, which while a tad boring at times, allowed us to get the first twenty miles out of the way with little or no traffic to hamper our progress. Uncharted territory from there on in though, passing through Cottenham and out into the flat openness of the Fens and Chatteris. I chose the route well (even if I say so myself) with the only really busy road being the relatively short stint along the A142, (which did feel a bit unnerving at times) before heading off along the New Bedford River, although only thirty five miles in, was technically the home stretch.  Things stuck pretty much to plan, with only the occasional need to reference our map, which is also an excellent excuse to nibble a biscuit or two. In an ideal world we'd have extended our ride through the village of Somersham, but in the end the more direct route back into St Ives only robbed us of a couple of extra miles at most. Fifty eight miles and a few hours of sunshine; job done!