Last night I planned a ~26 mile route for today that would have taken me down to Twycross as usual, but through Shenton to Bosworth, then back through Bagworth. However, as I pulled my bike out of the garage this morning, I decided that it was too risky – I’m on call at the moment and the route I’d planned would take me too far from home.
So as I set off, I decided to try to make up a route that would still see me doing ~26 miles but without travelling so far from home at the most distant point. So I thought I’d head north for a bit, come back down, then do a short Twycross to the south and back home. And that’s what I did. Up to Belton and the top of Top Brand, then back down through Peggs Green, Coleorton and Farmtown.
I hadn’t been through Farmtown for a very long time. It was actually part of my default route of 7 miles or so when I was a very occasional cyclist and I don’t think I’ve ever been that way on a proper road bike. Was interested to see how I’d cope with the brief but steep hill there – better than I used to back in 2014 or so in fact. I was on a lighter bike today of course but I think my legs are stronger, if a few years older.
Anyway from there I crossed Ashby road, came through Packington and past Measham then tacked a short Twycross onto the route. It was obvious by this time that I was going to end up doing more than 26 by going down to Twycross, but I couldn’t really think of anything better. Looking at the map now I suppose I could have cut across to Shackerstone from Snarestone. But anyway I didn’t, and ended up on 31.14 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2219847398
The weather was forecast dry, but actually while I was putting my gloves on with the bike leaned against my car ready to go, a few hailstones clattered against the windscreen and bonnet. That soon stopped though, fortunately. Nonetheless, once again a mixed bag of weather with cold sharp rain, bright pleasant sunshine and gloomy overcast conditions in varying quantities. I can’t say I enjoyed myself much during the rain and I hadn’t quite wrapped up warm enough, but overall an enjoyable run out.
Despite being pressed into service for a few more miles than I’d intended, my knees coped well. A bit sore now. Nothing unusual. But I’ll keep the distances down to 25 or so for now (can’t always get the time to do more than that anyway).
No interesting
wildlife of note. A couple of dead frogs (or toads, no idea). A dead
fox, a dead badger. A juvenile cat carrying a squirrel it had
(presumably) just killed at Farm Town. Not much older than a kitten
really. It wasn’t much bigger than the squirrel.