Back from a holiday in Wales yesterday and anxious to give the July distance tally a bit of a boost having been out on two wheels only twice thus far this month. But both knees appear still to be suffering the after-effects of my ill-considered Fondo two weeks ago, so I wasn’t sure what distance was wise. I thought to do a 25 mile-ish Twycross and see how they did.
Nice weather – warm, only slightly windy. Resolutely dry. I took the X.
From Twycross, I decided on a whim to take the triangular detour through Orton, for a bit of a lukewarm adventure. And that was quite pleasant. I do quite like the usual (direct) road from Twycross to Sheepy though, so mixed feelings about that.
I’d decided to come back along Gibbet Lane by the time I’d propelled myself along Atterton Lane but as I made my way up the A444 in order to do so, instead, on the afternoon’s second whim, I took a right along Upton Lane. I knew I’d done this before and ended up at Bosworth. I didn’t think it would add too much to the distance but as I encountered the first signpost to Bosworth I realised I’d end up having done about 31.
Ah well! My knees were sore, but I wasn’t getting pain from pushing up inclines. I was pretty pleased with how they were doing, definitely better than last time they had a run out on a bike.
My Upton Lane detour rewarded me with a nice view of a steam train pulling four old carriages along the Battlefield Line heritage railway between Bosworth and Shenton stations.
Listened to 6 Music, then the men’s singles final on 5 Live Sports Extra which has still not quite concluded as I type. No particular interest in the British Grand Prix or the Cricket.
The usual route back home from Bosworth is quite handy in that it has landmarks at strategic two-mile intervals – the crossroads in the town is 8 miles from home; the crossroads at Barton is 6 miles, the old railway bridge is 4 miles, the top of Heather Lane is 2 miles.
No wildlife of especial interest. I saw a vole scurry part way across the road near Swepstone, then retreat. I was having to blow tiny flies off my cycling specs every minute or so for the first couple of hours and I noticed that they were all over my legs as well, bloody annoying.
Thought I’d taken a nice pic of an alpaca on the way up from Bosworth but it’s not on the phone, so apparently I didn’t. It was rather difficult to get its attention, as well.
Anyway – 30.82 miles which brings me to 99 this month. Looks like decent weather for a few days, but I will keep my outings down to 30-ish miles for a bit, or possibly a bit less. I’m on call next week anyway, and of course – the daylight hours are now in slightly shorter supply.