Brads and Barons

I mapped out a lovely 50 km circuit to Guildford, Maida Vale and Canning River. I had not ridden to Guildford for a number of years and also wanted to ride the new PSP extension.

Perth To Guildford is PSP for three quarters of the way. I then got onto the road and across the bridge avoiding the winding narrow path at the river’s edge.

The traffic on the PSPs and roads was very quiet for the first part of the ride and allowed side by side riding, with the occasional single file when needed.

After the drink stop and closer to midday, there were more cars and a pinch spot over Welshpool Road had drivers hitting the horn for no reason. Most drivers, however, shared the road really well, especially when they had to wait for us to change lanes etc.

We did our best staying in the cycle lanes, taking the lane at roundabouts and riding defensively.

A steady easterly headwind and long small gradients had the muscles aching early.

With a high cadence and continually finding the best gear to maintain the cadence I felt I was managing quite well. However the rough chip seal roads and many false flat rises tested my right knee a little too much.

With about 10km to go I took it really easy and also reduced distance by taking the shortest route around Canning River.

This ride was all the more enjoyable because there were two of us and it was squeezed in between my social and family commitments.

I think there might be an inverse ratio that the more difficult the scheduling, the more enjoyable the ride.  

Added to that, there is certainly something special about two recumbents of the same make and model travelling along together.