With lockdown restrictions in place it was a great opportunity to buckle down and build up some fitness. Opportunity doesn’t translate into action by itself and indeed it didn’t. I needed my own lockdown challenge.
Not being able to travel was a bummer but still, fixed boundaries are a great source for in the box creative thinking.
I had been inspired by friends in much more difficult circumstances than myself. Alpkiteer Johnny P was a stand out example for me with his daily lockdown runs on a restricted rooftop in Lima. I knew I was lucky to be living in the Peak District, I didn’t have to travel far to find adventure and as the hard lockdown began to lift it was time to formulate a plan.
Popping open my local OS map I started to plot a route of bridleways within 10km radius of home. The result was a 200km circular trip.
Setting off at 5am I was back in the house by 5.01 having plugged my dynamo into the wrong plug and blowing a circuit. Re-setting off at 5.30am I cursed my late start but glad to be on the trails passing deer, badgers and hedgehogs all within the first 30 minutes. Nature was thriving in the absence of people.
Through ingenious route planning my midpoint passed close enough to home to make the thought of missing a brunch invitation downright rude. Fully fuelled on pancakes I powered down the road to the first hill where my body began the slow descent into survival mode. A late puncture provided opportunity for rest in the evening sun but by then the end was thankfully in sight.
For sure I am lucky where I live, I have been able to get out and enjoy open spaces while remaining socially distanced. This hasn’t been as easy for a lot of other people I know. Let’s continue to act with care and respect for others so that the outdoors remains open for us all to enjoy.