I feel like someone has given me the key to a door. I never really feel too comfortable walking very far alone and sometimes I just want to head out and do something…so here’s my chance. Feel quite over excited about it to be honest.
I love the winter landscape; bare skeleton trees, the bleakness and that great feeling of pink cheeks and the wind in your face.
Think I'll be sticking to the towpath for the time being but I’m really looking forward to getting out more. Bring on the Tour!
The bigish boy came with me to pick it up this morning and we set off on the trail together, just me and him. We don't get the chance very often and it was really precious.
He's happiest at home really with his books, drawing and Lego but he's growing in confidence on his bike too and it made my heart soar seeing him riding along and enjoying himself so much.
Together we tootled along in the wind, spotting buzzards and kestrels, saying hello to walkers and just enjoying the fresh air.
37 comments:
Heart warming!- you and your bigish boy peddling in the country side, how lovely!!...I often walk alone, but i guess being a single mother I only really have that option, but I do mainly stick to what i know and feel is safe. That is one thing about being a woman. I often have weekends without my daughter and go for longer walks and into the woods but feel i cannot venture too far. Their is a pub along my route and often i think id love to able to just sit and have a drink of pop, but feel silly as i'm a woman alone. silly really we shouldnt feel this. But i guess thats the world we live in. I would love a bike, but I find where i live in Devon far too hilly, but i'd really like to join some kind of rambling group this year to get out more into the moor's.
enjoy your gears!- peddle happy!
best wishes for the new year,
x Kazzy x
Great bike, great weather, great scenery, great company. What more could you want?
Love from Mum
xx
Check you out yeah, I wish there were somewhere closer that we could cycle but it would mean filling up the car and then driving somewhere first. Gorgeous scenery.
Wonderful, whAT A GREAT WAY TO START THE YEAR....I used to bike a lot when i lived in the flat vale of york...now it;s way too hilly for me here! I know you don't crochet, but have you seen Kates bike?
http://greedyforcolour.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/my-bike.html
Oh boy, I would love to do that to a bike!
Happy trails.....
Lucexxxxxxxx
Bikes frighten me both because they are wobbly and dangerous and the traffic is so bad but also because they never stop at traffic lights and people ride on the pavements, whizzing along with no manners. People who ride bikes never seem to take any notice of traffic laws and ram into pedestrians and car drivers alike. I really do think they should be licensed and insured. They are the worst behaved people on the roads and dangerous, mostly to themselves but others too. I wish they would take lessons first. Just yesterday, I was crossing a road at the traffic lights where the cars had stopped and was two thirds across when suddenly a bike came out and nearly hit me. Why hadn't it stopped the same as the cars did? They are rarely prosecuted and get away with murder.
Unfortunately with cars collisions they tend to come off the worst - something which could be avoided if they took more care. I have no idea why they are so fool hardy but they are. I do live in a city but I am sure the country is not immune either.
Please be careful riding yours, I find them very dangerous things, I would far rather walk - safer for a number of reasons. I wouldn't do that alone in a secluded place either but cyling wouldn't make me feel safer at all. I would never get on one by choice. My heart sinks when I see a parent diving in and out of traffic with a child in a seat on their bike, or even pootling along, oblivious of the big buses and lorries. How they can dice with their child's life like that is beyond me.
Steph, congratulations to you on acquiring that fine new bike. What fabulous places you can now travel through at a speed you choose...even hills!
My city eyes absolutely loved seeing the countryside views in this post. Please do take your camera along with you again. (Also wonderful to see that handsome lad enjoying being out and about on his own wheels with you.)
xo
you are lucky to have such lovely surroundings to cycle in
the landscape is stunning
What a great Idea to start the new year! Lovely pictures. The area where you live is so beautiful. Nicolexxx
Congrats on your new bike. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your lovely photos as you venture further afield.
Oh dear Anonymous, you have had a negative experience. our whole family rides I can assure you we cycle with great respect. And we also drive cars too, like most cyclists. We could all show each other greater respect I think.
What beautiful scenery, anybody would be thrilled to travel around there on a bike. Enjoy! Julie x
I found anonymous quite entertaining Steph, clearly a bit of a worrier. Don't go doing anything bad in the countryside will you on your beautiful new bike. Have loads of fun and good for you I say.
Lisa X
Enjoy your new found freedom safe in the knowledge that you're not polluting the gorgeous countryside you're discovering.
I live in Bristol, a cycling city, but prefer to walk. However we're planning a holiday on the Inner Hebrides where bikes are readily available for hire - so I may very well be following your good example.
Oh yea for you!!!! Bikes are WONDERFUL!!! I just love them...my husbands says.. "in a car you see the trees...on a bike you see the leaves!!" I always have this great sense of freedom on my bike...like I can go any where .....also I too love the winter landscape....something about the shadows....the bare trees...just gives my an alive feeling ?? I just love your site!!!
Happy New year !!!
We love to cycle too but only in the countryside. We are hoping to do the Cuckoo Trail this year. Hope you have a wonderful year cycling your lovely lanes and keeping fit at the same time. Karen x
What a beautiful blog. So glad I stumbled upon it...
I hope you have many hours if happy exploring on your new bike, I love cycling too but it has very much been out on hold since having children.
You go Steph,enjoy your bike, look forward to hearing about your jollies,and maybe some photo's too. Love your new header photo as well
Best Wishes
Sue xx
Enjoy your new bike :)
Happy new year
Life can be dangerous but best to get out there and grasp it by the horns.
Being a country girl I would worry about walking through a city by myself.......different strokes..
Well done and keep it up
T x
My gosh, if I had scenery like yours (and if it wasn't so hot!) I'd be out on a bike enjoying every day too! :)
~S.
I love the gate photo. Beautiful where you live, must be wonderful to cycle there. It is too hilly here.
What a beautiful green green land :)
I'm so excited for you! If only I had such beautiful countryside to ride in I would get a bike too!!! Enjoy it!
I do love a good cycle :o)
Congrats on the new bike. Looking forward to reading about your trips out on it. Sounds like you had a lovely first ride with your lovely boy. Can't wait to do things like that with my two boys when they're a bit bigger. Frederick was bought a beautiful wooden balance bike by one of his Godfathers for his Birthday in October. He's still a little too small for it but I hope by the summer he'll be able to give it a go. Only problem we have is that we live in a VERY hilly town. We are at the top of a steep hill. Would be good for the fitness though trying to cycle up here! Enjoy your bike. Fiona x
Looks lovely your part of the world , i like to walk too but often feel a bit edgy if im off the beaten track as i rarely see anyone else ,but do enjoy cycling too xx
This is wonderful! I love riding a bike and I'd love to have a new one myself!I, too, prefer cycling to walking.
Imagine how many lovely photos from new places you will take now!
What a lovely blog. I've just rediscovered you and enjoyed looking back over the last few years. The area you live in looks beautiful and your view is fantastic. Looking forward to future posts. xx Debbie
Have a great time on your bike, it's a lovely way to travel!
Your countryside is so very inspiring to me. I can't thank you enough for sharing your life. Wishing you all good things in this New Year. Elizabeth, Creative Breathing
Oh this is such an uplifting post, Steph, how lovely to hear of your first bike ride and the freedom it afforded. I also loved reading about your quiet and cosy Christmas. Happy New Year to you x
How envious am I! Love that your boy came too. What fun you will have, on your own or with the family :D
Hello - my first comment here but I've been loving your blog for a few months now. I can understand your excitement - I had a new bike at Christmas too although mine's a sedate one with a basket for the Cambridge flatlands! I hope you have lots of wonderful trips on it - on your own for headspace and accompanied too.
If you haven't tried it already, come to Bakewell and ride the Monsal Trail - not a car in sight, lovely cafe at Hassop or a pub further on, and your boys would love the tunnel - although it's lit, it's still quite spooky - you expect the Ghost Train to come whistling through at any moment - then out the other side there's Monsal Dale, one of the most beautiful views in the country
Looking forward to seeing some lovely photos from your bike rides. I get out on mine usually every Sat, but have yet to make it this year so far. It's great for seeing & photographing views and nature and get fit at the same time. I'm hoping to go longer distances this year, I want to see more...
How wonderful - freedom - riding like the wind - adventures with your bud! I like the starkness and the quietness of winter, too!
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