I had planned on cycling to visit four Neolithic long barrows on this adventure but could only manage 3 and a total distance of around 80 miles cycled.
The barrows we visited were Waylands Smithy, West Kennet and Stoney littleton, all impressive structures in their own ways.
I rode my new gravel bike a PlanetX Tempest which is a beautiful machine but I am going to have to make some changes and fit a suspension seat post and a more comfortable saddle. The old body can’t take the beating it once did I’m afraid.
I picked up a tummy bug and have been battling a longer term infection but am starting to feel a lot better after some rest. Sometimes it is good to rest which is something I don’t do often enough!
rescued by my good friend Dickie:)
https://www.youtube.com/@DickieMintCycles
Music from YouTube audio library:
Lazy Laura – Quincas Moreira
Nature Nurture – Quincas Moreira
44 Comments
Unfortunately I couldn't complete the planned route due to feeling unwell. Turns out I picked up a tummy bug and all that goes with it and an uncomfortable saddle added to things which was causing me further issues'! I shall be swapping out the seatpost for a suspension seat post as my lower back took a hammering especially on the canal towpath and I'll also be changing the saddle for something more comfortable probably an SMP.
Visiting the barrows is always a delight, they are a lasting legacy to this country's Neolithic past despite the fact that most have been rifled through. Stoney Littleton was a new barrow for me to see and of the three it goes back further than the others around 15 meters with 6 transept chambers, You have to stoop to get in though.
Hi Sandy, shame you were unwell and had to shorten your adventures. Always good to have good mates though, good old “Dixi Mint” coming to the rescue.👍. You will go messing about with all these dead people you never no what they died of. 😜😜😜
Well done Sandy, I couldn't have done 60 miles in a day. 20-30 does me. We're not getting any younger. Take it easy, hope you recover OK.
Ahh now it makes sense , mini adventures are the way forward Sandy. We ain’t young bucks anymore , need to slow down man and more of a chilled pace. A great trip nonetheless but heat and hills no good for any man. On my longer rides we always have a train station relatively close by in case of bail outs , but you had your own rescue sorted . Just changed my saddle again , like you can’t seem to find the right one 😂😂😂 Atb Dave
Nice one Dickie and Dave for support for Sandy get well soon, Nice bike but i like Daves
Hey Sandy, i bet its your rear end that is hurting on that bike. Everytime i get on mine, the saddle dont like me sitting on it so it gives me a great pain. I have a board with is called a Brookes leather saddle, and it is very very hard!! Keep going Sandy, good videos my friend.
Thank you, Sandy, for another great presentation of the English countryside. I wish you a full and speedy recovery. I loved the birdsong in the morning. Best wishes from Melbourne.
Good call! It’s all about enjoyment at our age. As mentioned before, Brooks 17 is a popular touring saddle & seems to work for me though breaking in can vary from person to person. I’m just waiting for the delivery of a Brooks flyer (sprung B17) for my mob.
All the best
brilliant
Excellent again Sandy amazing really ,,, welcome back hope that you are OK now and stay OK …. ……Me …… I wont be cycling no more struggling to walk now How things change keep up the good traveling, relying on you now HI
3 out of 4 Barrows ain't bad. Glad your OK.
Love, Jeanians
Sixty miles is an ambitious number for more mature adventurers including myself!, especially when climatising to a new bike. You made the right call. Live to fight another day.
Always good to have a plan B Sandy. Its really easy to overtrain and not let the body recuperate. Loving the new bike though. Ive got an ally framed Ribble CGR which is move of an 'all road' bike rather than gravel focused. They are really great for crunching the miles. Hope you get better soon and give it plenty of time to recover.
Take care, Sandy 👍🏼 rest up and have a spell for a bit.
Sandy, something I have learned on my LDW is to listen to your body.
You can do more damage if you don't!!!
Please rest, we will all be here waiting for you once you have recuperated and recovered!
It’s stil a brilliant video I did the devils stair case last week stopped for lunch and ended up with food poisoning when you get to a certain age it knocks you for six.😊🏍
Thanks for the video slow down a bit the body will let you now you are over doing it keep safe 😂
Lovely video Sandy and Dave glad your better
Been thro the stinging arse scenario on a few occassions. I found the best solution apart from a saddle that works, is liberal application of antiseptic ointment to the right area. The best sort is one that acts as a lube and a disinfectant. Thanks for the tour and the history.
Thanks for sharing, Sandy. Hope you and your nether regions are feeling better!
Well done Dicky and get well soon Sandy. All the best 🙂
I had no idea the long barrows were so long?
Sudocream for your bum.😊
You made the right choice. Sandy get better quick.
wishing you all the best sandy, your videos cheer me up in Hampshire.
Hope you're feeling better. You put most of us to shame with your stamina getting up them hills.
Get yourself a leather Brooks B17 side saddle Sandy.
B17 wide,saddle Brooks last a lifetime.Sandy
Glad it was nothing serious Sandy great to have good friends.
Sorry to see you end it early! You both did really well on the first day, looks a very lightweight bike set up couldn’t see where you had your sleeping bag? Unless you didn’t take one.
We must listen to our bodies, so well done .better to call this ride so you get well for another ride
Advice for saddles. Extra padding is not the way to more comfort. It will put pressure on places you don't want.
Look tor one that fits your "seat bones." They vary in width. Once I found my width it made a night and day difference!
Really good video, really enjoyed it.
You travel further than most. Get well soon! 🙂
Thank you sandy you put me to shame i think i cycled a long way then i cycle from ascot to slough & thats only 10 miles hills tho .
Now please you take it steady wot ever youtube content you make is & is allways the best !
Very interesting but but
Pls don't over do it just to create youtube content mate.
Hi Sandy,it’s knowing when to pack in & live to fight another day,you made the right call,I love the new bike,you have two great mates in Dave & Dickie Mint,atb & hope you soon feel back on form,Colin P.👍
Hope your getting better now ,when your in your 60s you got to slow down!! Its that simple mate ! Thanks for the video very lovely part of england where you were.
Well done, Sandy. I am constantly amazed and a bit jealous at the opportunities you have for cycling. I’d be hard pressed to get anything else done besides being on the bike enjoying the countryside.
Sandy that distance 125 miles and yous had completed half is quite an achievement considering rough lanes tracks hills etc. Your allowed to have one off day 🤓 What’s the name of the village or town at end of video. Thanks Daniel
another great adventure and a great video, many thanks for putting it all together Sandy, and wishing you a speedy recovery 👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌
A truly brilliant film here Sandy! Sorry that your trip was cut short. Seat issues were always my biggest problems on long bike rides. Take care ,and have a good rest.
love your vids sandy take it easy and good luck
Well done Sandy lovely video pity you had to stop but the sensible thing to do and you know what they say 'Shit happens'. 🙂
Get better soon Sandy. Plenty of rest and porridge 😊. Really enjoy your filming, thank you.
Hope the aches and pains ease and you feel better soon Sandy, that sun pillar at your sunset camp was stunning 👍🏻
That was a lovely ride, and you covered loads of miles even though not well. I haven't even begun my tours this year due to ill health so you did great.
Great video, even when you didnt complete it! I once adjusted my saddle by no more than 1cm and after an hours ride I was in agony and couldnt walk properly for days! I prefer a rock hard saddle like the Brooks B17, but ride a couple of road bikes with "knife edge" fizzik saddles and never have a problem.
Hope you are feeling better now Sandy.
Both Gillianthepillion and I were a little worried for you.
Love all your adventures on and off the bikes.
Plus. Well done Dickie 😎👍