~?~
Wednesday 28th 45F/7C [8.00] A misty start to a cloudy day. Some sunny periods but also odd showers. Peaking at 13C/55F. With much lighter winds after the recent, severe gales.
Up at 7.20 after several awakenings in the night. The duvet even managed to fall off the bed! Which was a first. For what passes for living memory in these parts.
23C/73F in the room. I have lowered the heat pump remote by half a degree to 20C.
The half decent weather suggests I have a ride. I could do the entire length of the new cycle path. From Glamsbjerg to Assens and back is about 35km. About 22 miles plus the distance getting to the route. The route is a dogleg. Almost straight in two lengths but changes direction at halfway.
Today's ride would be the first on a continuous finished surface. Instead of mud and sand and loose, coarse gravel in places! The path isn't officially completed yet but is already quite well used. By walkers, dog walkers, horse riders and cyclists. Like all rail routes the inclines are quite modest. Which suits the cyclists. While the local roads must rise and fall with the undulating landscape. There has been some disruption as the rails crossed the roads and these had to be lifted. A central traffic island and speed reductions were required at one crossing. On a busy, main road.
There is discussion underway to give the path an appropriate name. Once the railway was officially closed to rail traffic. It continued for decades for private, pedal trolley hire. Only with the arrival of funding for a proper cycle path were the old rails and rotten sleepers finally lifted. Which made walking and cycling much more practical and convenient. The projecting sleepers had formerly made it rather difficult to use the track for casual enjoyment. So that it tended to be only used as a short cut by locals.
The former railway was once used for carrying sugar. There being a vast sugar producing factory at Assens near the harbour. This closed in 2006 after operating from 1884. With the loss of much agriculture production of sugar beats. Along with the mud this caused on the roads! The factory closure brought an end to the all pervading smell of sugar production. Which often hung over the quiet town. There was the loss of many local jobs too. With little serious industrial capacity in this relatively quiet, coastal backwater.
The factory grounds, vast silos and industrial buildings have been cleared or partially demolished. Or even restored for modern use. With a sports hall, police station and smart council offices. Along with other public services and recreation facilities. There is also bronze age site near the middle of the new, cycle route. All of which must be taken into account for a suitable name.
~?~
