A light wind was coming from the NE and a dry, intermittently sunny day was forecast; ideal conditions for the first eastbound fondo apart from the temperature. Cold out there, 3 or 4C.
I checked before I set off that the road through Zouch wasn’t still closed by floods – https://one.network/ is handy for this. Interestingly the A6 was still closed from the same junction, with a barrier stretched across the road. I saw several drivers ignore this, and drive round the wrong side of the traffic lights to get past it.
Originally I’d planned to take the old route through Rempstone, to avoid the low ground near the Soar going through Stanford and Cotes. However I couldn’t find any cycling food in the fridge this morning. I’m out of cheese rolls, Cornish pasties and mini pork pies. So I crossed my fingers and went that way regardless, so I could stock up at the petrol station at Burton on the Wolds. I did have to contend with a few massive puddles, and a shallow river crossing the road near Cotes. But nothing too alarming.
I was comfortable enough on the way out but the temperature seemed to dip sharply at about 3pm, on the way back. I listened to 5 Live mostly. Some very entertaining FA Cup football in the afternoon.
Back about 20 minutes after sunset, on 62.62 miles. 131 done this month, and my average distance is now a more reasonable 43.65 miles. I like to maintain it above 40.