Sunny day, light wind from the north-west. A bit cool when I got up, though. On a different day I might have attempted another 100 miler, but I may do a long ride on Sunday instead – so I decided a fondo would do.
The wind direction seemed to dictate the Upper Westbound route. Not the most imaginative or adventurous option but I decided to make it more interesting – slightly – by diverting through Wilson on the way back. Not only because it would be a bit different, but because I’d avoid Rotter’s Rise after Melbourne.
Very nice out there and the roads were pleasantly quiet until the A515, going north toward Ashbourne. Bank holiday traffic, I assume. Eventually I got caught in a traffic jam going up a hill, possibly due to roadworks further ahead – but I’d done 30.8 miles by this time, so I turned back.
Stopped for some snacks at the petrol station near Scropton.
What will happen to all the petrol stations once there are no more diesel or petrol vehicles on the road? They’re much handier for cyclists than village shops, because they tend to be open all the time.
Anyway – I came back through Wilson as intended, and unlike last time I didn’t take two ridiculous left turns trying to find my way home. Back on 64.12 miles, and that’s 205 this month already. That was this year’s tenth fondo.
My personal DAB conked out after about 9 miles, just as I was coming into Melbourne. I was surprised, because I thought there was at least another five hours in the rechargeable AAs. So I put two new alkaline AAs in it (I always take spares). Those died after about 30 seconds. I did drop it in the garage but it only took a mild knock. Have I broken it? Will test it later.
I had a new phone with me, one I haven’t installed BBC Sounds or other radio apps on yet, so I put its MP3 player app to work. I listened to
Talc: Licenced Premises Lifestyle
Earth, Wind & Fire: The Best Of, Vol 1
Judas Priest: Stained Class
Style Council: Confessions Of A Pop Group
The Beatles: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
I doubt I’ve ever listened to five whole albums in the same day before! The Beatles album especially gave me goosebumps. Every time I listen to it, I try to imagine its impact on popular culture on its release. Some of the music journalists of the time had started to suggest that the Fab Four had run out of ideas, that the creative well had run dry, in the months leading to its release. Yet they followed even the brilliant Revolver in the most devastating manner possible by crafting the first progressive music masterpiece. Every single progressive music record, by King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, whoever has Sgt Pepper DNA in it.
I stopped for a bit of a picnic at a lovely spot next to the quarry near Breedon. By this time I was too warm so I removed and backpacked my fleece and cycling tights, making this the first legs-out ride of the year – albeit only about 10% of it was done in that mode.
And I spotted the first discarded knickers of the year, about a mile from Melbourne. Lacy, very brief and a sort of mahogany brown colour. Unusual colour for ladies’ underwear, I thought.
Lovely run out. More on Sunday I hope.