Nicola Minimicroadventures

I buffeted by a side wind, and had also not had an opportunity to find lunch, so all I could think about was chocolate on the return journey! lol I raced as hard as I could (I was running on fumes at this point!) towards the National Trust cafe at Staunton Reservoir - I knew they shut at 3pm and I arrived with 9mins to spare! I was hoping for a sandwich, but alas they were sold out, but…. They were about to throw away the last vegan pasty, so they gave it to me!!!!! My brain was not functioning at this stage, so I need to go back and give them a Kindness Hero tape! ☺️

I woke before dawn and the sky sparkled, a warm glow from the promise of a rising sun. A hearty porridge and a slightly disgusting cup of tea - I used coffee mate as I had no milk, and I don’t recommend 😅 I set off back up the hill, this time with a very energetic tailwind! 🎉 I made slow progress as I had to keep stopping to admire how beautiful it was - I often think that even if I stood somewhere in the Peaks for a hundred years I’d still not be able to fully appreciate how stunning it is. I met a few people en route, listened and also shared stories of adventures. I got to ride down the Cromford Incline with a bikepacker I met at Black Rocks - we zipped down so fast and it felt like we were kindred spirits for those fun 4 minutes of descent ! I so needed this tiny adventure after what feels like an eon of rain! Looking forward to many more adventures in the Peaks this year!

What a total joy to be in the Peaks on such a beautiful day! My heart felt full as I pedalled slowly along the canal, full of people (I’d forgotten it was Sunday!) and as I climbed the Cromford incline, I was so touched by how many random people offered words of encouragement - it helps so much! One young lad on a MTB was doing hill reps so he passed me a few times and said “keep going” in a beautifully calm and respectful way - I hope his mum is proud of him! The “Kindness Ride” was an idea that formed last year, people are often so kind to me on adventures, small gestures that mean a lot of I never feel like my “thank you!” properly conveys what their kindness means to me. So I set out to see if I could do a random act of kindness for someone while I was on an adventure. However, beyond the usual things like holding gates or chatting with folks who maybe just want someone to talk to, I wasn’t able to manage a radome act of kindness. I realised that it’s just a mindset, and the more I think about it on future adventures the more likely I am to succeed. So I’ll keep trying. I did take some “Kindness Hero” tapes - like the name tapes you see into your clothes at school. I dished them out whenever someone held gates for me etc. it was a real joy to see their faces light up! 🥳🙌 I had a strong headwind for the entire day, and by the time I reached the YHA at Hartington, I was cooked! lol I had the entire dorm room to myself, and for £13.50 this felt like I’d won something 😄

Wall to wall sunshine and blue skies!!! ☀️☀️☀️🥳 chatted to loads of people on the trails today, and everyone was so happy!! ☺️☀️

I set off under grey skies, damp, dank and very unappealing conditions…. But, the sun appeared and it was like someone turned on the happiness o’metre and it zoomed all the way up to full volume! 🥳🥳☀️☀️☀️☀️

The bridleway was deliciously muddy! So good to be out there in the sunshine ☀️☺️ I found Snowdrops too!

I had the whole skatepark to myself! 🥳 felt flowy and fun!

A trip down memory lane, in search of busy metropolitan bustle, and a recce for future adventures. The canal walk was lovely! ☺️

Not one bit of me wanted to leave the house today. I was cosy, warm, and the idea of temporary discomfort did not appeal at all. The second i got out there I loved every single second of the ride though! 😅 L