Today’s mission was to do Rutland and back. In recent years when wanting to tick the “visited Rutland” box I’ve entered the country south of Buckminster, usually en route to a location in Lincolnshire. This time though I wanted to cross the border into England’s smallest county at the same point I aimed for when I first did Rutland and back years ago, west of a village called Whissendine.
However, I devised a new route to get there that would do the usual eastbound route for 24km, then dip down through Walton on the Wolds, Seagrave and Thrussington, then take the A607 east for a bit before diving into quieter territory again.
I felt slightly knackered this morning, unaccountably. I set off just before 1000 and I seemed to be low on energy half an hour later. In that respect perhaps it was unfortunate that I was on my heaviest bike. But I wasn’t going to cut the ride short. I was determined to chase down that elusive third fondo of November 2024.
I really like that stretch between Cotes and Thrussington. I’ve done it a couple of times before. I hadn’t done the A607 before though (as far as I can remember) and that wasn’t pleasant. Too busy. It was a relief to come off it and back onto sedate country lanes, but the route down to Great Dalby then east to Little Dalby was rough and liberally furnished with mud. Anyway I pedalled east to the border, took the obligatory pic. As I fiddled with my phone a nice lady stopped her car to ask if everything was OK. I assured her that it was and thanked her for her consideration. She pulled in to a farm just a little further along the road after setting off again. I suppose they don’t get many tourists taking photos of their bikes by the border sign.
I didn’t want to contend with the muddy, lumpy roads or the A607 again, so I decided I’d go home the time-honoured way via Melton Mowbray. Melton used to be a frequent fondo destination. Used to spend a happy half hour there in Costa Coffee before heading home. But it’s fallen out of favour in recent years, and perhaps that’s why I took the wrong exit out of the town at the traffic lights. I didn’t realise I’d done this for several kilometres. To make matters worse, a few km further up, I crossed Six Hills Lane – on my usual eastbound route – without realising it. Found a sign to Wymeswold a bit further up and took that. Usual way home from there.
Somewhere between Wymeswold and Rempstone I noticed a very regular bump-bump-bump coming through the rear wheel. At first I thought it was the road surface .. when it was still happening 5km later I realised it wasn’t. Stopped and inspected the rear tyre. It was still inflated, but there was a bit of a bulge, or more like a twist. Subtle, but enough to make a noticeable clonk every revolution. Did I overinflate it? Is the tyre unevenly seated on the rim? Naturally I was a bit tense over the last 25 klicks, not least because it seemed to be getting worse. But I made it home OK.
Before I fork out for a new inner tube and tyre I’ll try deflating it, reseating it and reflating it again. It’s a 700×32. They aren’t as expensive as I feared, but assuming the deformation isn’t terminal, I think it’s got plenty of life in it although it’s done nearly 7000km since I bought it, and it wasn’t new then.
There’s a very nice little deli / tea shop at Seagrave. Bought some crisps, a sausage roll and an Eccles cake. Really must go down that way more often. The difficulty is to incorporate it into a route without going on the A607.
Tried my most recent contact lens prescription. Works nicely for cycling. Listened to more Boris memoirs and 5 Live.
Back on 112.55km, about 110 mins after sunset.