Dry again. Cold, but not nearly so cold as Thursday. I wrapped up very warm though – decided to try wearing my old hiking trousers over cycling tights, as an experiment. I also wore an improbable number of layers on top.
I left the garage about half an hour after sunset, on the Tricross.
I did stay very warm. I had to tuck the bottoms of the hiking trousers into my socks as I couldn’t find my old cycling clips. But a loose layer over my tights definitely helped insulate my legs.
Trialled some new winter cycling gloves and they worked a treat as well, so I was very comfy the whole ride.
I’d actually intended to take the Tricross out on Sunday but when removing the Presta valve cover on the front tyre to pump it up to pressure, I managed to unscrew the whole valve. But it had managed to maintain pressure for over 24 hours after pumping it up again, so I assumed it was safe enough for a ride out today. And it was fine.
I went straight up through Coleorton, up over Swarkestone Bridge and left along my beloved long, flat A road as far as Hilton. Then, having done 20 miles, I turned and came back the same way.
I allowed myself a celebratory fist pump after 21.72 miles, because that meant that I’d beaten my previous yearly record (5776 miles, 2016). Took this pic a couple of miles later near Swarkestone.
Arrived back at Coleorton but was surprised to see the road closed in front of me. I managed to sneak round the barrier and out onto the main road at the T junction, only to find a number of work persons (they weren’t all men) standing around in hi-vis jackets and hard hats. The main road was also closed off in both directions. I was essentially in a large T-shaped roadworks with no way out.
One of the workmen approached me and asked where I was going. I told him I only lived a mile or two away and asked if I could get past the barrier at the western end, to turn off for Ravenstone. He said yes, but insisted on escorting me out of their site himself. Nice chap, very friendly. I had to push the bike for the 400-odd metres that I was on the main road, so I’ve subtracted that. Home on 40.27 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4386144443
439 miles this month, I think I can probably do another 70 at least in November.