Sunday 6 December 2009

regressive progression

Friday night. Leave late to miss the traffic, Radio 1, eyes on the drive. Smoothly up the M6, slingshot Glasgow, onwards up the A9, horizon rolling as the mountains cluster around. Haul up in the chosen layby, unfurl sleeping bag in the back and dive for broken sleep.

elixir

Rudely awakened. Wrestling into layers in the half-light. Base layer tucked into shorts under mid layer tucked into tights under another mid layer over shorts under vest and jacket zipped right up to the nines. Inhale steam from the stovetop, suffer apple pie and coffee burps for the rest of the day. Pack up, lock up, hit the hills.

up

Roiling nerves give way to exhilaration. The sun is up - it might not be seen all day but it is up and that's what counts. Miles roll on. Eat, drink. Views absorbed, perils assessed. Decisions made quickly and sensibly before crazier, more stupid ideas can be entertained. Somewhere in the back of your mind a smile grows broader as the crux is passed and the last leg looms. Endings matter less with a long before to give them substance. Watch the sunset, feel not much of anything. Eat, drink. Miles.

ufo?

Finish in the dark, car safe and small and familiar. Fall around a muddy car park, stripping off to nothing and then layering up again whilst the stovetop steams and the rain returns and you stub your toes painfully on your socks. Black coffee, whole pot of. Scour the car for food. Heater on, radio on. Back on the road, smiling.

warming up panda

j.

7 comments:

simondbarnes said...

You really are quite bonkers Jenn :)

Fi Fi said...

Sounds like the perfect weekend x

Minx said...

Only you could make that sound fun:-)

kate said...

itch scratched? or just left yearning for more?

Blanaid said...

love the site, and the clothes - just linked to your site from our irish cycle chic blog.

blanaid
www.galwaybikes.com
irish cycle chic

Paul Howard said...

Hello Jenn,

Just read your Great Divide article in Singletrack - nice work (the ride and the article). I was going to send you an e-mail but I've only got your old address so I've had to resort to the blog. Thanks again for your help before this year's ride. Drop me a line with your new e-mail if you get a moment - I'll send you some divide pics.

All the best,

Paul

Matthew Lee said...

"Endings matter less with a long before to give them substance"

nice!