"Come back to what you know" by Stuart J Clapp

July 29, 2012

I moved away from this area about nine years ago, only to return in January. I met a girl, fell in love, we got married and had a baby. He’s two now. The decision to move back just seemed right. I’m pleased we moved from the city.

Living in London was great. We lived so close to everything. We lived in Zone 1 on the ever-expanding underground system. This however, meant I was an hour’s ride away from any decent roads to train on.

Some people say that they enjoy the thrill of riding in the city, but even though I learned to live it, I never actually enjoyed it. I’d find myself thundering across town to escape the congested city streets early in the morning to avoid traffic. Dawn raids I called them.

If you don’t have friends to ride with, I suggest finding a friend in a Garmin Edge 800. I did. It’s not much of a conservationist mind you, but it’s reliable in terms of directions (unlike some of my riding buddies!). When we moved, I wanted to rediscover my old training roads. Garmin Connect (www.garminconnect.com) gave me some routes pre-planned by local riders so I downloaded those and headed out. Have Garmin will travel.

There are some amazing roads around here. Roads I never truly appreciated before I left. Roads that you don’t really experience as a motorist. If it’s good enough for the World Champion - Mark Cavendish has taken root in Essex with his girlfriend Peta Todd – it’s good enough for me. Within three miles of Leigh, you’re in the countryside with winding lanes quiet enough to imagine you’re 3,000 miles away. OK, well almost.

Some of my riding friends from London have since visited on the promise of good training roads literally our doorstep. Literally. I live at the bottom of Belton Way. I’ve tailored routes varying in distances and this weekend, after a couple of months of planning, we all made it out together again.
 

I’m proud of where I live, but nothing made me feel prouder than the plethora of rides we could choose from. And after a 3-hour spin, what could possibly be better than the banter and batter of the fish and chips at the Mayflower in Old Leigh.