With an immoderate wind from the west, I’d planned to do the southbound route down over the Northamptonshire border today, to Welford and back – however while perusing the route from the Strava route planner yesterday, I had an idea to take a different turn out of Stoney Stanton, to go exploring down Fosse Way – which as educated readers will know, is one of the many things that the Romans did for us.
So I did that, going straight over the crossroads at Stoney to explore new roads after 20 miles or so.
Fosse Way is very straight mostly, although it does have a few minor twists and turns through villages along the way. The first few miles of it especially was very nicely surfaced, and quieter than I expected. Really very enjoyable. I followed the old Roman road down to a nice little village called Stretton on Dunsmore where I stopped after 35 miles. I leaned the bike up and donned a face mask to enter the village shop, where I bought a sandwich, a bag of crisps (I only ever eat them on long bike rides), a cold coffee drink in a bottle and a Bounty bar. Another customer was being served at the counter, and I noticed that he wasn’t wearing a face covering. But perhaps he had an exemption.
After a brief friendly chat with the proprietor, who reminded me strongly of Martin from Friday Night Dinners, I left the shop in search of a bench. He closed the shop as soon as I left. Good timing.
After a pleasant lunch I turned to come home the same way. However after another four miles, I noticed a sign to Nuneaton along a B road, nine miles away. I certainly know my way home from Nuneaton, so I thought – why not? However after three or four miles the signs to Nuneaton seemed to dry up, so I stopped to consult Google Maps at a village called Shilton. I plotted a course from there that would join the original route after another seven miles. Interesting diversion though, quite pleasant.
Back on 73.12 miles. That was easily one of the most fun rides of the year – really nice to explore a new route. Fosse Way goes a lot further south than I went, so I’ll go a bit further down that way some time.
Listened to more of my audiobook on my natty AAA-powered MP3 player, then – of course – the last day of the Premier League on 5 Live.
413 miles done this month, 45 to do to hit my target. Rubbish weather tomorrow but the rest of the month looks OK, so it looks like I will hit that target after all.