At the top of this year I was 50! 50 suddenly sounds quite old but when Molly reminds me I’m now half an antique it sounds even older. Luckily though, when I get on my bike, I still feel about 10.
People kept asking me am I going to have a party? I said no, I’m going to ride my bike! So I spent the day riding the 50 miles for 50 years along the Shipwrights Way (Alice Holt Forest to Portsmouth dockyard) I actually ended up riding 82 miles (took diversions for scenic sights!)
The only trouble was it was perfect timing for the floods that bombarded us in early January
Wish I’d brought my snorkel with me.
But at least I had a spot of sporadic sun
Then at Easter I had my first child-free night in nearly 10 years so I took off and rode the South Downs Way just as Storm Katie hit with a vengeance. More perfect timing!
Mud…
Mud…
and more mud!
But the sun came out in cold windy force…
and it was lovely to be free on top of the Downs with big wide skies.
I will write more about these missions when I’ve got a bit more time under my belt. Got to go now as got to pack bikes and offspring as am off tonight to catch a ferry to Holland. Gary is staying at home as he wants to get on with work and have a break from us rowdy bunch. If all goes according to my unplanned plans, should be home again the day before the girls go back to school at the beginning of September. So more then!
Ps. ?I’ve started blogging for Cycling UK (CTC) so you can read more here:
www.cyclinguk.org/cycle/north-sea-cycle-route
www.cyclinguk.org/blog/josie-dew-blogs-beeping-drivers
July 24th, 2016
OK. Seen them. Now I’ve got to keep looking there as well. Oh well!
August 11th, 2016
Hi Josie, You don’t look it mate! keep up the cycling. You love mud really don’t you. AND you definitely attract rain. Now here’s an idea; offer yourself to ride in some African country that is desperate for a bit of wet. The pictures above say ‘I’ so you didn’t take the crew with you. You’re as wonderful as ever you were at the age of 10 :-). Blessings. Tony B.
August 18th, 2016
I’ve just done my first bike tour, Josie, at the age of 60, and a lot of it’s thanks to you and your inspiring books! 5 years ago I thought 10 miles there and back to Wantage was a long way. Now I’ve just done 66.7 miles home from Redditch in a day! Including one disastrous night’s camping, but it hasn’t put me off.Now I’m off to read your second blog bit on Cycling UK.
August 20th, 2016
I’ve just looked at your pics again and notice that you carry almost as much on a day trip as you do on a round the world tour. Or maybe you just did some shopping during the trip.
August 21st, 2016
A belated Happy Birthday Josie! And as tony says, you do attract rain (and mud and wind)as your NZ book confirms.Keep on pedalling: best wishes for the next 50!
November 7th, 2016
Happy Birthday, Josie. Keep pushing those pedals (and computer keys) for decades to come. I’m 67 and still manage it: https://cyclingtherhine2016.blogspot.co.uk/
My blood pressure was lower than it’s ever been after my ride along EuroVelo 15!
You’ll have many more happy birthdays to come.