I was going to do at least 40 today, but there was always a chance I’d stretch it to a fondo if I felt like it. With a strong and annoying wind coming from the west I decided to go up and west along the Beloved A Road again. This time though the plan was to go up via Heather, Ashby and Ticknall – the same way I came back on Thursday – to avoid the dusty gravel on the road on the northern route out of the village.
Unfortunately I missed a turn at Ashby. A couple of miles later though. I followed a sign for Blackfordby; I was pretty sure I could find my way to Ticknall from there. And I did, through Woodville and Hartshorne. The only downside was a brutal climb going through Blackfordby.
The headwind was very annoying going west along the A road. I tolerated it as far as the roundabout after Sudbury. I’d done 35 miles at this point and I calculated that I’d done enough for a fondo if I came back the more conventional (quicker) way. Which I did, except that to avoid the gravel I detoured along Wash Lane.
Actually part of the road down from Melbourne has also had the gravel treatment so there was no escaping it. A bit aggravating as that stretch was only resurfaced in luxuriant smooth tarmac about a year ago.
Pretty cool weather when I set off, but I was comfortable enough with three layers on top and a pair of tights. The sun came out later on after which I was too warm, even after I’d partially disrobed and stowed excess clothing in the backpack.
Treated myself to an almond-flavoured Magnum at the petrol station near Hatton.
I gor through a couple of hours of a new audiobook, Mick Herron’s Slow Horses. About an unglamorous department of the Secret Service where intelligence operatives who have failed to make the grade or disgraced themselves are relegated to serve out their careers doing menial or clerical work.
Enjoyable ride on the whole, much more so with a tailwind in the sunshine on the way back. Back on 62.92 miles.