The trip

Getting from my house to the road proved to be the most difficult part of my journey so far. With each noise I and the bike made getting from my front door to the road, I was certain of discovery. However, despite the earlier nocturnal activity I witnessed, there was nobody about. With a push I was off. Never has the clacking of a bike seemed so loud.

A full moon gave me enough light to see my route. The bike's lights were a risk I dare not take. There were some people about, or at the least dark forms in the distance that you think you see moving. After the police station, my mind assumes every shadow and dark space is a danger ready to leap out at me.

After a few minutes of slow cycling, I had the measure of my health and realised I would not be going too far for my first night. A single slope would probably be too much. I have to hope my strength returns quickly, but my previous experience with severe flu is around seven days to recover.

A loud racket from another street had probably taken the attention of anyone awake at this time of night. Another stroke of luck. At the time I had not considered that it might have been someone else's bad luck. Regardless, my way to the first major road was clear. For the next hour it was a nice slow cycle through the night. I admit, I expected to encounter more people. If things were turning so strange, where are all the people trying to leave? The news reported the rioting had turned central Manchester into a war zone. You would expect people to flee that kind of thing. I guess the flu has that many people stuck at home.

 

My legs turned to jelly after about 90 minutes of slow cycling. Normally I could cover the same distance in about 15 minutes and continue for another few hours. A few scares had me pedalling faster which probably wore me out sooner. One person almost had me, roaring at me from nowhere and forcing me to swerve hard enough that I almost fell.

 

I had only gone as far as the outskirts of Oldham. I continued past a light industrial area and onto some allotments. There's nothing easier than breaking into an allotment. Inside I hit the jackpot, finding a small torch, the kind that you wind up. Blankets too, and a small amount of sherry. I was scared to use the torch for a while, but with both blankets covering me the small amount of light it gives off was never going to give me away. Needed to as I want to write this last part down while it's still fresh in my mind, then get some sleep.

 

I heard a convoy of trucks and heavy vehicles go by a few minutes ago. They were coming from the direction of central Manchester. It was hard to tell in the available light but I am certain they were military. They went past along the route I was on. I felt a huge sense of relief, but then forboding too. Everybody I see is acting strange or trying to attack me. Then the military appear, not going to but from Manchester. The thought of rushing out and waving the torch around died almost as soon as the thought came. The real surprise, they stopped. Not here, and somewhere out of sight, but they make a lot of noise, and have searchlights that light up the area from time to time.

 

I intend to approach them tomorrow. Perhaps I'll get some of the answers I am looking for.