onionbagblog

My Wivenhoe Trail routine route is to cycle East each morning, Bannatyne bound and past the Hythe. It’s an enjoyable enough ride, observing the changing tidal levels and the transition from the wildlife of Ferry Marsh, down to the semi-industrial Colne banks by the Hythe. Compared with the average UK daily commute, you couldn’t ask for a more perfect way to peddle start your morning.

But it is the opposite West of Wivenhoe Trail route which holds the fascination for me, and likewise for many others whom I have met of late. Sadly the Trail on the old Crab ‘n Winkle Line taking you out towards Alresford Creek can’t offer the luxury of the indoor Bannatyne pool and spa, as can be found in the opposite direction.

I am a man of routine - I therefore have no reason to cycle along the old Crab and Winkle Line each morning. All of this *may* possibly change next spring, when the wetsuit makes a comeback and I replace indoor swimming with a daily dip in the Colne instead.

Nope, the glorious, glorious stretch past the Sailing Club, alongside White House Beach and then the end of the line at the Creek, is a route that has so far been reserved for special occasions. Which usually means the weekend run, a luxury that my aching body can no longer withstand for a full seven days of the week.

High (ish) tide and a blue skyline greeted my running route this weekend. I returned back to base, threw a bicycle helmet in the direction of @AnnaJCowen and told the girl that we needed to be out there to make the most of the landscape. I forgot to tell her that she may star in my latest hit and miss video, but at least my cycling companion brought some faded glamour to my latest flip cam effort.

What I simply adore about this side of the Wivenhoe Trail is how you can observe something different each time you pass along the track. This list isn’t exhaustive either - the path to the Creek changes every day as the seasons slowly take hold of the landscape, and present a new vista in which to reach out to.

Such a shame then that I whizzed along on my Essex MTB, and then speeded up the footage back at base. Hey hoe.

The changing trail surface also helps to preserve the longevity of my weekly runs. I love the transition from gravel, to mud, and then back on to road running as I head back to Wivenhoe via Ford Lane, and then along the Alresford Road.

The natural stopping point that the Creeks puts in your way seems just perfect for my own running engine. Any further milage and I’d hit the metaphorical wall. Brightlingsea can wait, for now.

And so with apologies for any dog walkers / ramblers / fellow bicyclists who momentarily became caught up in my nonsense filming session on Sunday, sit back and enjoy above a ride along the old Crab and Winkle Line.

Chapeau!

Music: Cocteau Twins, Bluebeard. No particular reason other than it fitted the length of the film. And it’s rather ace.

Plus: It has been pointed out to me that any readers coming to m’blog via Facebook don’t get the Viddler embeds. Grrr. This should see you right…

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