To travel to a festival
That photo is actually of the return.
We'd booked our annual holiday - travelling a very long way from York to Galtres festival, near Crayke.
Queues last year were dreadful, so I resolved to take all camping gear (family tent, dome tent, sleeping bags, mats, etc) by bike.The night before the festival I fettled a wooden box onto the trailer - it's held together with cable ties, since I lacked suitable brackets.
Next morn, set off. Sunny, no wind. 50kg or so in trailer with crummy knobbly tyres, flat pedals with broken bearings, and bike with only two usable chainrings. Perfect for a muddy drunken festival.
It's only about 12miles and mostly pancake flat, but I've been knackered all week, with legs like lead-filled balloons. Thought it would take me 2 hours. Even with stopping to check map and google maps on phone (I really, really didn't want to have to retrace my path if I took a wrong turning), I was there in 1.5hours or so.
Turning up with the gear was a great idea, I got huge thumbs ups from the road security crew, then a personal escort to a tent pitch by a pretty young lady. She was remarkably persistent in wanting to help and talk to me - coming back 3 times before MrsCharly arrived. Persistent young lady then departed with a slight scowl. I was ribbed about this all weekend.
Festival was great. No bands that made me want to scream for more music, but many, many groups that were really good, tight and interesting to listen to. Billy Bragg played a set (first time I've seen him) and was good value. He can really work a crowd and impressed the teenagers. A huge queue formed to get autographed memorabilia from him. Mrscharly and I worked behind the bar most of the weekend, which is an excellent way to have a good time and pay for the food (you get paid in vouchers for assisting).
The journey back was a race against the weather - thunderclouds forming, 20mph winds getting up. My tired legs had been mended by beer and good music, so I managed the return into a strong headwind in 1.25hours. A major incentive to spin the wheels was the sight of a MAMIL plodding into the wind half a mile ahead. Lycra, road bike, all the gear - and doing 8mph into a wind (and no, I doubt they were an audaxer on an 800). I just had to overtake them - and did so, pretending it was easy.
Just one mistake - I should have filled the trailer with beer and sod the tent. Loads was left after the festival.
Book your tickets people - half-price tickets will be going on sale in a week or so.
