One Loose Nut

Yes, I know. It’s not the weekend, and I have already done a ride on Saturday and Sunday. But with half of the year gone I am less than 50 percent of the way through the 114 villages and towns and need to get a move on. So with kids in bed a quick look at Googlemaps and I can see that the next stop, Husborne Crawley, is a mere 12 miles or so down the road. Trying to memorise the route I note that I am to take the third right after getting on the road to Woburn. Not familiar with the turn I switch to satellite mode to see that it is the turn into Woburn Abbey, through the estate, and through Woburn Safari Park. Now I know that my average speed is on the increase, but I don’t fancy my chances against any of the big cats, let alone those windscreen wiper eating monkeys.

I put up with the route to Hockliffe along the A5, turning right to Woburn and stumble upon the illusive good sign from Hockliffe. A fancy sign comparatively on the west of the village. Clearly in a position to woo residents leaving Woburn into a false sense of security that they’re entering a place almost as nice as Woburn. Oh how dissappointed they will be.

Up the hill to Woburn and through the High Street before turning right to follow the perimeter of the Woburn Estate and aforementioned Lion enclosure. Googlemap indicates that Husborne Crawley is at the junction with the pub and the school but I know that half a mile down the road is a church. Off the road and up towards the rectory is the second contender in one week for the longest village sign. I note that my average speed is over 16mph, and it too 46 minutes, and mused could I make it home in the same time?

Returning back I push. None of those granny gears when the hills came: just out of the saddle and grunt. It rewarded me well. I came through Dunstable on the A5 like a man possessed. Pedalling like mad, trying to time the lights, and pushing up the hill to home. Puffing, sweating, but feeling good.

25 miles – 1 hour 32 minutes – 16.3 mph average – Map