Friday 18th November 2016.
On a morning that started with snow on our velux windows and roof, knowing I had to squeeze a ride in was not a delightful prospect. I had planned a short route to a Costa Coffee which felt like a cheat because it’s a cafe I visit every Monday morning between my swimming lesson and my Italian lesson. I have never been to it by bike though – so it still felt like a worthy challenge.
The cafe is on a small retail park just outside Chippenham and as I cycled around the car park I saw there was nowhere to lock my bike up by the cafe, but there was some cycle parking right over on the other side.
![My bike at Bath Road Retail Park My bike at Bath Road Retail Park](https://i2.wp.com/www.blackandtabbyruns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/img_0352-1.jpg?resize=660%2C880)
It might have been a distance away, but it had the rare luxury of a roof. It was immaculate so although the park has been open for several years I think I was the first cyclist to use it!
![Luxury bike parking with a roof! Luxury bike parking with a roof!](https://i0.wp.com/www.blackandtabbyruns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/img_0357.jpg?resize=660%2C495)
![Luxury bike parking with a roof! Luxury bike parking with a roof!](https://i0.wp.com/www.blackandtabbyruns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/img_0357.jpg?resize=660%2C495)
![Luxury bike parking with a roof! Luxury bike parking with a roof!](https://i0.wp.com/www.blackandtabbyruns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/img_0357.jpg?resize=660%2C495)
I had a hot chocolate and sat in the window anxiously watching the dark skies before pedalling hard and fortunately beating the weather home.
![Compulsory 'helmet and drink' shot Compulsory 'helmet and drink' shot](https://i0.wp.com/www.blackandtabbyruns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/img_0354.jpg?resize=660%2C880)
![Compulsory 'helmet and drink' shot Compulsory 'helmet and drink' shot](https://i0.wp.com/www.blackandtabbyruns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/img_0354.jpg?resize=660%2C880)
![Compulsory 'helmet and drink' shot Compulsory 'helmet and drink' shot](https://i0.wp.com/www.blackandtabbyruns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/img_0354.jpg?resize=660%2C880)
7.6 miles on the trusty “Happy Shopper” bike, and just one more Coffeeneuring trip to fit in before the end of the weekend.