Extending the ride

Today started with rather a warm morning. I donned my bright Altura fleecy, reflective jacket, put my lights on and set off on the bike for work. I was rather early so decided upon a detour towards Netley again, Abbey Hill beckoned.

Not entirely sure I'd beaten any time I set during the summer, when I carried lighter loads and wore less clothing, I approached the park further along. The village street was nicely lit up, but the entrance to the park was in pitch black darkness. It is at times like this that you appreciate how good the Exposure light is and can ride in relative comfort. Seeing-wise, obviously, as the road surface is diabolical along parts of that route.

I stopped for a second to double check my light was still fixed after a small pothole bumped the front wheel and remarked to myself - "This would be an ideal spot for the telescope on a clear night." There was little in the way of light pollution there, too.

I set off, did my little climbs on the "easy" side of Abbey Hill and approached Woolston. There's a nice little "bump" I like to climb that way. On approach there is a double bend and snake in the road and then a rather steep climb of around 30 feet altitude. Then back on to Porchester Road and up the Itchen Bridge.

This was when things began to get strange. I was catching up with motor traffic. Something wasn't right. As I hit the brow I slowed down seeing the flashing blue lights. I found myself mouthing the words: please don't let it be a pedestrian or cyclist!! Traffic now jammed right up I found a safe gap to filter through thanks to a good van driver who left a gap for me. What I passed turned out to be the wrecks of 4 cars on the entrance to the roundabout. There was one Police car, ambulance and a big tow truck just starting to load up the first car.

Glass was everywhere and hard to avoid. I hope those involved are not badly injured. I'm sure I'm not the only one to see people drive or ride a little stupidly along there and the nearby roads. It leaves you feeling certain that someone will be to blame, things like that just don't "happen".