Well, as the title suggests I think that I have found my motivation. I'm not exactly sure what it is though but it is getting me out again. Since my last post, I have been out a few times, not very far but at least I am moving again. One ride was just a run along the cycle way to Hawsker and returned via some farm lanes and then along Whitby Laithes to Abbey Plain. While there I was looking for something to photograph and was approached by a young man who was one of a party of what I think were Japanese students (or possibly Chinese). He asked if I could tell him what the old market cross was for and I began to tell him that there was once a village in the vicinity etc and before I knew it I was acting as an unoficial guide to the party and hopefully I didn't give too many wrong answers. I was quite suprised how polite and respectfull these people were and I quite enjoyed the experience.
The following day my ride took me through the village of Dunsley where after a stiff climb from Sandsend, I sat on a bench on the green for a while doing nothing more than enjoy the tranquility.Shortly afterwards a land rover drawing a large trailer stopped nearby. The driver went over to a nearby farmyard and peace returned to the scene. After a few minutes, I heard a hissing sound and turned around to see where it was coming from when there was an almighty 'BANG' as one of the tyres on the trailor blew completely off the rim. I fully expected to see people looking out to see what was going on but not a curtain moved. Eventualy the driver reapeared and when I showed him his tyre he was totaly unconcerned and said he thought the noise was his neighbour shooting crows. So much for peace and tranqility.
The following day my ride took me through the village of Dunsley where after a stiff climb from Sandsend, I sat on a bench on the green for a while doing nothing more than enjoy the tranquility.Shortly afterwards a land rover drawing a large trailer stopped nearby. The driver went over to a nearby farmyard and peace returned to the scene. After a few minutes, I heard a hissing sound and turned around to see where it was coming from when there was an almighty 'BANG' as one of the tyres on the trailor blew completely off the rim. I fully expected to see people looking out to see what was going on but not a curtain moved. Eventualy the driver reapeared and when I showed him his tyre he was totaly unconcerned and said he thought the noise was his neighbour shooting crows. So much for peace and tranqility.
Yesterday I went Out for a slightly longer ride and made my way to Aislaby and then on to Egton. At first I was feeling a bit stiff and was not moving as freely as I would wish but gradually I loosened up and began to make better time. By the time I was passing through Ugthorpe I was fair rattling along and noticed that my average speed was 12.1 mph which was the best yet for this particular ride. Just as I was congratulating myself, I thought I heard a voice but when I looked around there was nobody to be seen. I heard the voice again and a young woman on a road bike flew past me. The shame of it ! a slip of a lass had left we standing. I put a little more effort into pedalling and managed to stay a few yards behind untill we reached Lythe and began to descend Lythe Bank. This was where my humiliation was completed, I gave it everything I had intending at least to keep pace with her but in spite of me laying into the bends at around 40.mph I was slowly falling back and by the time we reached Sandsend all I was good for was to slowly ride along the seafront gasping for breath. Ah well, lesson learned I suppose.