I took the afternoon off yesterday, in the hope of making the most of a day without rain and doing about 60 miles. But although it didn’t rain, the roads stayed soaking wet all day and a cold damp clung to the air long into the afternoon. I just stayed at home and watched old Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes.
It turns out that today was the one I should have picked for an afternoon off work. But I left work early anyway to make up for yesterday’s disappointment a bit. Hoped to do about 40. I was going to do a long Twycrosser, but within a minute of leaving the house I decided not to do that. I headed in the general direction of Coalville, and a few minutes later had hatched a plan. I’d basically repeat Saturday’s ride, with the exception that I wouldn’t miss the proper turn to Swarkestone Bridge from Aston and end up pedalling along the ring road in Derby, which wouldn’t be a lot of fun during a weekday rush hour. Also, I’d come home the usual way from Melbourne, without going down to Swarkestone.
A bit cold, slightly blowy but otherwise quite pleasant. I took the Boardman again on its tenth consecutive run out. I knew I’d be back after dark so I took lights.
That stretch between Aston and Swarkestone is really nice, especially in the late afternoon. I’d like to incorporate it into my rides more often but it’s not really possible to get to it from the east without going over a busy, large roundabout over the A50.
When I got to Swarkestone, I decided to pedal along the road to Willington for a bit, and come back. Really quite a pleasant, flat stretch even though it’s notionally an A road. I actually went all the way to Willington before coming back. Turned on the basic lights at a farm gate somewhere near Twyford not long after sunset then after crossing the bridge, added a head torch and the proper tarmac-melter LED torch on the handlebar. The head torch is great for checking the bike computer, watch, gear indicators. Not easy to pair one with a helmet, but I was wearing a woolly hat.
Took the following pic near Twyford.
Properly dark by the time I got to Melbourne. I took the following pic just south of there opposite a pub. Beautiful view of a low Moon over the lights of Coalville, a few miles in the distance, about a mile from home.
Disposed of another mouse body in the garage before setting off. Another very clean kill. That’s about 18 since I started my Rodent Final Solution extermination initiative.
My knees were a bit painful throughout the ride. I have a suspicion that not cycling for a few days (in this case due to weather) makes them worse. They feel a bit sore now. That’s just the way it is now. Perhaps I should start using the turbo trainer again when it’s raining to keep the joints moving.
Annoyingly I didn’t remember to start the GPS watch until I’d gone 1.04 miles. I’ll just leave the track as it is on Strava, but I have of course done the maths for my spreadsheet – and that’s 249 for October so far. I’d like to think I can get another 150 or so in this month. Perhaps a 50+ miler on Sunday, though it’s likely to be cold.