July 30 - Day 106 - 'out on the open country road when the day came creeping on, halting and whimpering and shivering, and wrapped in patches of cloud and rags of mist, like a beggar.' Charles Dickens

I realise this isn’t the most interesting of photographs but it sums up my journey this morning. I am, as I write, sat with just my socks on as my trainers dry on the windowsill (one of the disadvantages of no heating at this time of year!). I do have to admit that I was very close to coming in the car this morning but then I thought I was being a bit pathetic, given how spoilt I’ve been by the recent nice weather we’ve had, so I reminded myself it was supposed to be a challenge and put on my waterproofs.

So as you can see, the views were a bit limited this morning, especially as the height increased and I could barely see the sign for Owler Bar Roundabout. Ever since I’ve begun cycling, there have been certain road names and places that have made me wonder how they came about. I hadn’t realised that ‘Owler’ is an old local dialect word for an Alder tree which is why ‘owler’ appears in several place names around Sheffield. Owler Bar, therefore, means Alders on a wooded hill. It is also the reason for ‘owls’ being attributed to Sheffield Wednesday. When in the 1890s they moved to Owlerton (Farm or hamlet in an alder wood) , they became known as ‘The Owls’. They should logically have been called ‘The alders’ and their badge should have been a tree not a bird. The mascots though might have been a little different and less appealing perhaps than Ozzie and Barney Owls!

I suspect my journey home might be equally as wet, going by the current view from the window, but at least day 106 will be completed and I can start the weekend knowing the support I have from everyone is making a difference.

‘Beyond town, we found a heavy mist out, and it fell wet and thick.’ Dickens. The view this morning near Owler Bar.