Went for a ride just to see how long it would take to get there. Stopped into the camp office and talked to Nigel who printed me a map showing the route to Danebury Hill Fort. I figure the tire will hold out for a short ride cause I’m only going 16 miles. First oops! Actually according to the map I’d be going 30 miles round trip. However the map does not take into account getting misplaced from time to time. Seems that the way of things you have the map all set then you get misplaced due to one thing or the other. I leave the campground at 2:45 pm thinking I can ride a bit then turn back whenever I want. Along the way I’m passed by a group of bike riders on sleek racing bikes. Why is it that everyone passes me by? I begin to speed up then remind myself that the tire is bad, and I’m in no rush to get anywhere.
They hit a hill and begin to slow down one actually gets off his bike and walks up the hill. Not me I ride up reaching the top at the same time they do. My head tells me this will cost you I check my map and head off as they rest. At the next intersection one of the riders pulls up to me and asks directions. Ha Ha! I’ve got a map they don’t knowingly I give directions. He asks where I’m heading “We not going that far” says he. About an hour into the ride I stop and look at the map. Looks like I’m about half way there no problem. Stopping again to check the map I spy a back way to my destination. This is great as I’m riding on a very busy road with car zipping by very close to me. After a couple of oops I’m on a road that could be the right one. By now I’ve gone up and down about 10 hills all of which have been very steep.
The road ends at a “T” and looking around for direction signs there are none to be found. I’ve been on the riding two hours now and am faced with which way to go as this could not be the road I think it is. Well I’ll pretend it is so off I go. Half hour later I arrive at the Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort elated. Now to return back to the campground via a different route so I try to avoid the busy road that got me here. It is now four hours into the ride and I stop to check the map. This is not going well my little detour is going to require more time gong back the coming. I ride on and have now climbed about 20 hills of very long and steep duration. My legs are getting tired but I tell myself no problem. Five hours and maybe 24 hills later it looks like I’m still an hour from the campground. I’m walking up the hills and costing down the other side. I remember my first ride here when I could no longer ride and walked about 20 steps at a time.
I can do this, this is not then. So back on the bike I clime and look for that second wind I’ve heard about. Nope no second wind as I walk up the last hill, well I think it’s the last hill. I’m passed by to other riders and tell myself they have not ridden as far as I have makes me feel better anyway. So back on the bike and ride the last hill slow and steady reaching the campground six hours after I started. Takes longer then you think to get there, sometimes doing things differently is not the answer, you can always make it one way or the other.
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