January, the month of new horizons – literally for us, as we’ve moved house. Not someone keen to become complacent, the challenge of squeezing a change of address in between Christmas and New Year seemed a reasonable task. Thankfully, it all went to plan.
It’s amazing how a change of view can alter a perspective We’ve only shuttled our way to the other side of the valley, but now, with a south facing garden and bike-washing, kit-drying, dog-sunbathing patio, Home suddenly encompasses a whole lot more than just stone walls.
Ladybower reservoir is now even easier to get to
From the ‘northside’ looking south and west there are enticing views of the Peak District. The eye is drawn up the valley until the horizon and hills and heather all blend. It makes you want to wake up at dawn and stand out back at sunset – I can imagine a distinct lack of sleep on the cards come summer…
The space makes you want to ride. Unfortunately, due to continuing injury, I haven’t ridden half as much as I’d have liked. However, busied by work, box-shuffling and kitchen-re-organising, this month has flown by. So, with limited time, the urge to hit the trails and under instructions to ‘take it steady’, I went for a run. Just like that. It was so easy. No inner tube, no spare clothes, no water no lights (just in case that puncture was really problematic).
I had forgotten how pure the act of just running about was. Without the speed of riding, I could really take in the trees and streams. Without the constant wind-rush my spattering footfalls echoed muddily. Of course it was tough to ‘take it steady’…being let loose to explore local woodland – albeit on foot – was enough to make my giddy! It was also slippery and twisting and off-camber enough to have me off-balance almost the whole time. It was brilliant!
Caked in muck and soaked with heavy rain I cleaned myself off in the stream. On recalling my day’s adventures, the first comments I made were: “It was great! It was filthy; just like ‘cross but without the bike”. Well…I couldn’t be expected to run with my riding eyes shut!
PS. Once the DOMS had subsided I even went running again. I may do so in future too.
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