February, like January, has so far been a dismal cycling month. Just one run out before today, on the 1st. However although it was very cold out there this afternoon it was at least sunny – and more importantly, the roads looked clear and it wasn’t due to snow or rain.
I mounted the Tricross at about 3:30ish and headed eastward, since a moderate wind was supposed to be blowing from the east. I couldn’t go too far because I was on call, and because it was too cold to be out on a bike for hours.
I did wrap up very warm, though. In fact just walking to the garage in all the layers of clothing I’d put on felt like a bit of a workout.
I did a fairly unadventurous route – up through Coalville and Belton, Long Whatton, back down Top Brand. I did 20.66 miles.
I encountered a few icy patches but managed to find a strip of exposed road between them each time, though at one point this involved riding on the wrong side of the road.
Good run out. The temperature dropped a bit after sunset and my fingers and toes started to suffer. But I’m very pleased to have got out on a bike. I’d started to feel like one of those people who put their bike away for the winter and only get it back out in March. Each to their own, but I’m not one of them.