What countryside?

Well it is certainly one question. I am feeling rather melancholic as I have ridden my last Briercliffe 10 TT for the season. The last event is next week and I won't be around so that's that for another year. I always think I enjoy riding around the Southill course more than I do. Partly as I feel transported back to a part of England that still has globes that are mostly covered in pink countries (the old Commonwealth for you younger readers) and partly as it is as twee as a Wind in the Willows character in a Harris Tweed suit, smoking a pipe and listening to Elgar whilst sat in a leather chair in a Gentleman's Club.

The actuality of life in 2012,  is that I invariably spend 25 minutes plus staring at tarmac and/ or avoiding badly driven Vauxhall Astras, pick-up trucks and the likes that are bombing around the villages near Old Warden.

But that dispels the idyllic view of  Elysian Fields and the brief escape from the slings and arrows of modern life.

In fact on most time trials I can't recall much of the scenery.  Assuming there is some. There's not much on the A1 for sure. Unless you count dead badgers, discarded porno' mags (some of which get collected by some time keepers I know) and pot noodle cartons. There are always porno mags on the F1 course, once you see one it is like the Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis. Or it could just be me. "I see rude bits"....

Going around the Ashwell F14/12 course at a mere 20mph with Andy Herbert a few weeks ago at least provided me with the opportunity to see what some bits of Guilden Morden and Wrestlingworth actually look like. Apparently there are houses, a church, shops....

The fields around Pirton and Meppershall.

Not too many opportunities like this arise but I'll take what I can. The other night I managed to get out for a gentle spin and actually did marvel at the landscape for a few moments. I love the rolling countryside near Pirton, Meppershall, Sharpenhoe etc. It may not be the most stunning but it allows my (simple) brain to switch off for a short period at least.

There'll be plenty of time for staring at fields and cottages in the off season, but for now I have the Beds Road CC 10 to have a crack at tomorrow. I like the BRCC set up as their Club House is another (welcomed) throw back to simpler times. Hopefully I'll do a short 25 or better to boot.

Pip Pip!