Lynx and Goose: July 2023

A Night in Melton Mowbray, “Rural Capital of Food”

Lynx’s parents gave him a book last year with bike rides in central England. We picked a couple rides to do in the little town of Melton Mowbray, just an hour away. A good opportunity to try out BJ and to catch up with friends that Lynx worked with in Mexico City who live near by.

First ride was called “Higher Ground” it went to the south of the town. Rolling hills with a couple of short 20% kickers, 39.4 miles 3215ft elevation gain.

That evening we hung out with our friends, had a time catching up over a Ploughman’s platter at the campsites restaurant.

Next day we did a ride called “Fat of the Land”. Slightly longer, little flatter, and a few more gravel sections, 48.5miles, 2290ft elevation gain. Went past a castle and the famous Stilton cheese factory. Also picked up a locally made pork pie, this is why the area is known as the “Rural Capital of Food”.

Back at the ranch, will spend the next 2 weeks at Lynx’s parents house. Lynx’s sister, husband and kids arrive tomorrow, been a while since the litter was all together, will be a special time for us all.

BJ has arrived

We have our van!! It was so exciting, until we emptied the fresh water tank to find the previous owners had put diesel in it!!!

Thank goodness we brought it from a dealership that was willing to take ownership of the problem. At no cost to us they replaced the tank, water pump, pipes and tap (American translation - faucet). It only took 1/2 a day so we are back in business. Planning to take her out for a spin tomorrow night.

Elbow update - pain is gone thank goodness, I can touch my nose but not my shoulder as there is still some swelling. Going to test it out on the bike tomorrow. Will be an exciting adventurous day for us all.

A wet day in Cambridge

Drove into Cambridge to meet up with one of Lynx’s friends from University. We got soaked walking around in the rain but made for some nice pictures.

The Mathematical bridge Cambridge University

Interesting place to get out the rain

The perfect pub lunch, another opportunity to get out the rain

Trial Run in a Van

We named her “Tango” after a popular fizzy drink in the UK that is similar to Fanta. We rented her for 2 nights just to see if this type of van would work for our road trip around the continent. Drove her to the Peak District, hoping we could climb, but my elbow bursa continues to be very angry at me so we spent our time doing beautiful walks and sitting in the van to get out the rain instead.

Ugly and painful, big enough to be named, so we called it “rudolf” like the red nose reindeer!

We did three walks each one unique- Stanage Mill Stones - hard to imagine people cutting and shaping the grit stone, then I guess their business went bust when technology changed the way mills worked, sounds like a familiar story…