Dimpsy at the end

Bike ride in West Sussex today. I had an email flyer from Paramo advertising a clearance thing in a church hall in Emsworth - so we shopped for outdoor clothing then drove north a bit to make the most of a beautiful Autumn day.

The notice on the carpark gate stating that it would be locked at 5pm prompted us to review our planned route - still adjusting to the clock change - and we cut back our plans. We should have been concerned anyway - I didn't have any lights & Husband's are very much of the "get me home just about legally" light level.

It still took longer than anticipated - proper hills and some lethally slidy downhills with wet leaves over wet tree roots with that special chalk/chalk mud combo that makes for no grip whatsoever! And a stick nearly brought our ride to a premature end - bending Husband's gear hanger quite impressively. Brute force brought back all bar 2 gears - but it will be going to the bike shop this week.

Stunning scenery though - enhanced by the light and golds/reds/browns of the leaves. We saw a stag run across the path & you could hear them rutting from the track. Husband bumped into a collague he hadn't seen since her maternity leave started in August - and met her baby for the first time. no time to chat though as the light was going.

28.3km in total - but we both feel like we had a proper work out, probably due to the mad dash to get back in time at the end and the proper hills! As you can see from the lower pic, it was definitely dimpsy (fabulous Devon word) with fading light and the moon was out. Mist hugging the lawns around the big house definitely gave an appropriate look for Halloween. Turned into the car park at 4:55pm!

It's been quite a sedate week though - just 3/4 runs on Mon & Tue, pedalling to work & a little wii.