My wife often asks if I’m going to wear a helmet, just before I set off on a cycle ride. Usually, as was the case this time, the answer is “no”. Today I explained that it was too sunny, and I’d need a cap.
“It’s always either too cold, or too sunny”, she observed. Then she went for my soft underbelly, my vanity. “If you were a proper cyclist, you’d wear a helmet”, she continued. But she missed the mark with that one, because I happen to think my habit of wearing unconventional cycling headwear lends my appearance a certain raffish, maverick quality. However – I decided not to bother with the explanation about statistics, and I agreed to wear my helmet, to give her a bit of peace of mind.
And I must admit, it was nice to have the proper uniform on for a change. Especially with sunglasses. I always think clear cycling glasses with a helmet look a bit nerdy.
Anyway – I wanted to do a Fondo today. Dry and sunny with a moderate wind blowing from the west. I decided to go south, down to Welford. But after about a mile, I changed my mind and decided to go west, along the flat A road south of Derby. So I did a U turn and propelled myself through Coalville, up through Belton and Isley Walton, to Melbourne. From there, up over Swarkestone Bridge. I stopped to take this pic, but actually decided to have a snack here – the wall looked comfortable enough to sit on. I ate two cheese rolls before setting off again.
The headwind was a bit annoying going west. By the time I got to Doveridge I’d done 35 miles, enough (I correctly guessed) to make my distance up to the requisite 62.14 miles if I came home the quicker way from Melbourne.
So much nicer on the way back with a tailwind. It was a bit warmer by then as well. I stopped at a pub at Hilton for a half lager and some food – they were only doing pizzas. Unusually, no doubt as a social-distancing measure, they were providing table service today which was ideal as I didn’t need to leave the bike unattended.
I was careful to wear a face covering.
A pleasant chap at a nearby table wanted to know how much the bike cost, how many miles I did on it and so on. He told me he was an ex Para and had buggered his knees, so he didn’t think cycling was for him. I told him that it might well do them a bit of good. He was impressed that I was doing 60-odd miles today as people often are when they ask, but of course it’s easier than it sounds. Got to be easier than jumping out of a perfectly good aircraft, even with a parachute.
Back on 65.09 miles. Nice to do that route again, I don’t often go as far as Sudbury and Doveridge. Not sure if it’s a Fondo distance if you take the direct route to and from Melbourne both ways. I don’t think you can really get any further than Doveridge unfortunately, without going onto a very busy road. I must check that.
Listened to 6 Music mostly – Cerys Matthews played some good stuff in honour of the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Then footy on 5 Live until Arsenal scored their first goal against Newcastle. Then the Reacher audiobook, Echo Burning which is unfolding nicely.