A couple of days ago there was nothing but rain in the forecast for the coming week, but in practice the weather always gives you a bit of unexpected respite. And so it proved this afternoon – nice and dry, very low winds and fairly mild. The sun even came out for a while.
No clear intention on where I was going to go or what I was going to do. I made it up as I went along. But I definitely wanted to go up Top Brand. I did that then went round to Diseworth, through Castle Donington and west to Shardlow.
I got as far as the very outskirts of Derby, then turned back. I took a road off toward Aston, intending to come back down over Swarkestone Bridge, but somehow ended up back in Shardlow. I was happy with that though because I didn’t really fancy Rotter’s Rise on the way back.
Somehow, without actually trying to, I came back exactly the same way after Shardlow. I was quite surprised when I saw the track on Strava. Hadn’t even realised I’d done that.
Wanted to do at least 40 really, but – it was an enjoyable ride. Back on 37.30, a minute after sunset.
I listened to the Reacher novel for the entire ride. Some really grim content. But gripping.