Peckleton

Blowier than I’d have liked today, but conditions were warm, dry and intermittently sunny – so it would be churlish to complain. My intention was to slide out of work early and do a Fondo, perhaps to the Northamptonshire border and back – but I didn’t manage to creep away from my PC quite as soon as I hoped, and after I noticed that I hadn’t brought a pump with me, about 10 miles in – I decided to keep it to 40 or so. Shame because I love dusk this time of year, but there’ll be other opportunities.

I continued down the southbound route as far as Earl Shilton, then decided to take a left along the A47 instead of crossing it to go through the town. I had no clear idea where this would take me, but that was the general idea really. A bit of adventure. I assumed I’d arrive at a left turn that would take me back to familiar territory before long, and I did. I took a road that went through Peckleton, to Desford.

Bizarrely, I couldn’t find my way out of Desford. This was disconcerting because I’ve been along that same road a few times and never got lost before. I recognised the cast-iron aircraft model placed there in honour of the RAF airfield at the same site during the Second World War; I’ve passed it more than once on my travels.

I took a small road that degenerated into a very rough, gritty track. I wasn’t taking a nice road bike along that so I U-turned. Back through Peckleton where I consulted Google Maps, and took a route that would lead me to Kirkby Mallory. Back home through Sutton Cheney, Bosworth, Odstone et al.

Really lovely out there, really should have squeezed more miles out of a very nice evening.

I saw a woodpecker near Bosworth – it landed on a fence post in the usual posture and looked like it was about to give it a good seeing to, but it flew off as I passed. Colourful creature.

40.59 miles, 71.31 this month and that takes me just over half-way to the 2021 target. 2008 miles done this year.

https://www.strava.com/activities/5431215928

Twycross Bypasser

I hadn’t intended to ride a bike today as I had other commitments in the afternoon, but the evening sunshine was so warm and pleasant that I thought I’d sneak in a crafty 30 miles after dinner. The weather forecast for tomorrow’s not quite so pleasant and opportunities for cycling in light clothing with your legs out are a shame to waste.

I did a Twycross Bypasser. Pretty unremarkable really except that I don’t usually do the stretch from Atherstone Road to Sheepy from south to north.

Listened to the Wales vs Albania friendly until I got bored, then listened to a Hue & Cry compilation on the music player on my phone.

Very nice run out, very nice out there. Glad to have got the June campaign up and running. The adjusted target is 336 miles, but I’ll aim for the original target (386).

https://www.strava.com/activities/5419797958 30.72 miles.