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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 here 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 nearest start of the route opposite the Glamsbjerg Hotel. The route is a dogleg. Almost straight in two, long stretches but gently changes direction to the west at halfway. Just east of Voldtofte village. Before crossing the high street.
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 former rail routes the inclines are quite modest. Which certainly suits the cyclists. While the local roads must rise and fall, often quite steeply, with the undulating landscape.
There has been some traffic disruption and temporary detours. As the old rails crossed several roads and these all had to be lifted. A central traffic island and speed reductions were required at one crossing. On a busy, main road. The traffic was completely ignoring the dangers and speed lollipop signs today. Those cars I saw at the crossing were all speeding. I wonder whether a traffic hump might be necessary.
There is discussion underway to give the path an appropriate name. Something sharing the old railway line with local history.
The line was officially closed to passenger rail traffic in 1966. Closure to goods traffic in 1984. It continued for decades after that for private, pedal trolley hire. Which meant that the rails remained. With modest "gardening." To keep the route open for trolley users and walkers. The old rail route is just visible on Google Maps.
Only with the arrival of public funding for a proper cycle path. Were the old rails and mostly 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 and dog owners.
The former railway was once used for carrying sugar. There being a vast sugar producing factory at Assens near the harbour. The factory closed in 2006. After operating from 1884. With the loss of much agriculture production of sugar beats. 1800 farmers helped to feed the factory's demand for sugar beats. Along with the mud this caused on the roads during every harvest!
The factory closure also 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 of course. 250 in high season. About 75 out of season. With little other serious industrial capacity in this relatively quiet, coastal backwater.
Though it still thrives as a shopping town. With a gently sloping, cobbled high street running down to the harbour. The noisy surface helping to slow the traffic to the indicated 20kph. Huge, free car parks are available behind the historical facades.
The sugar factory grounds, vast silos and industrial buildings have been cleared or partially demolished. I was there when each giant silo was blown up.
The original office buildings have been restored for modern use. With a sports hall, arena, police station and smart council offices on the former grounds. 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.
10.30 I've had my chat with my minder. Had a cup of coffee and a marmalade roll. The road, and cycle path, now beckon!
13.30 Back from a 51km ride to Assens via the new, cycle path. I explored the Assens marina area too and was shocked. How it has expanded since I was last here.
The path surface was certainly complete from end to end. However there were some unwanted corrugations. The worst area was under the giant wind turbine near the Assens recycling yard. Leaf fall was already so heavy. That it had made the path invisible in some areas near Ebberup. In fact there were kilometres of leafy tunnels. Under the beautifully coloured, autumn trees.
The fine gravel was rather neutral. Neither particularly fast nor slow compared to asphalt. It wasn't perfectly flat nor unpleasant to ride on 99% of the time. The sound of my tires obviously carried far enough for walkers to become aware of my approach. To overtake them from the rear. The same could not be said for asphalt. So the fine gravel offers a natural safety margin given sensible riding speeds.
My average speed was an indicated 24kph riding towards Assens. About 22kph on the return journey. I deliberately slowed to a crawl every time I met a fellow path user. To give them plenty of time to adjust to my presence and intention to pass safely.
Particularly with dog owners. Who must usually be given plenty of time to reign in their pets on extending leashes. Those who were walking the other way to my own direction of travel had plenty of time to spot my approach. Thanks to the very long straights. With only a few gentle bends.
Keep in mind that the official opening is still potentially months away. So any minor criticisms by me. Must be weighed against this reality. I came across several contractors. Who were tidying up fallen branches and other debris. I stopped to chat to one of them. He told me that the path edges had to be made neat and firm. To avoid cyclists, or even walkers, from falling off the path. No doubt this would improve the longevity of the gravel too. With its banks retained by firm soil. To avoid subsidence and casual degradation.
I did some shopping in the village before finally heading home.
After a late lunch I dozed on the computer while watching YouTube videos. Best to avoid an afternoon nap.
Dinner was mackerel in tomato sauce on toast.
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