Ebrington Hill

I read Robert M. Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance in my early twenties. It had a lasting effect. The passage that most stood out was when the narrator was describing his son's approach to walking up mountains, something along the lines of: 'Rather than always looking at the peak, he should pay more attention to what is beneath his feet'.

The reward is in the journey, not the end. I had to get away from numbers to enjoy the journey more. Kilometres, hours, kilometres per hour, beats per minute, revolutions per minute, watts, kilograms, watts per kilogram......The only device I cycle with now is my phone. The occasional checking of time and the Ordnance Survey app showing the way when cycling somewhere new. I can tell you how long I've cycled in time but not distance.

My common gateway to the North Cotswolds, Milcote Greenway provides a quiet corridor towards Ebrington Hill. A left towards Lower Quinton, then a right and up towards Hidcote Manor. Along its drive, the Beech Allee looms alongside.

Across the car-park and onto a bridleway - yellow Cotswold gravel that starts as stones but becomes finer.

Guess which muppet forgot their water bottles (convenience store to the rescue)

The summit of Ebrington Hill reached, the highest peak in Warwickshire at a whopping great big 261 m. Across the paved road and another bridleway, this time greener, a narrow passage between hedgerows and trees. Across Nebsworth Lane and onto a gravel track, Pig Lane. 

A sense of space here, solitude, the mind empty and marvellous. A chance to pause, above two red kites circle. A short length of tarmac and into the Foxcote Estate. 'Private: no public right of way' at the start of Campden Avenue - I'd spotted it on a map earlier, the question 'Can I ride it?' answered. I continue on the public byway, leaving the estate and into farmland, Nash's Lane leading to Ebrington.

Away from the village and back up Ebrington Hill. A bench part way up provides a coffee spot, the view looks towards Chipping Campden. Onwards, I pass where I crossed earlier and descend towards Admington. Its a quick one, a steep climb coming the other way. Through Admington and a retracing of steps through Lower Quinton and back to the Milcote Greenway.

The weight of thoughts of what is to come, how long can I keep them at bay?