I was determined to do a fondo today. The forecast claimed that a morning fog would have burned off by 1030-ish, leaving a dry day in its place.
Well, the fog hadn’t cleared by 1100, and I set off anyway at about 1125. I wanted to pay my old house a visit at Markfield, about 15km away, by the route I chose. I’m drawn to do that this time of year, probably because I moved into it with my partner at the time just before Christmas 1989. So I did that. I went along Ellistown Lane this time, don’t think I’d been along there before.
After that I sort of made it up as I went along, meandering through Thornton, Newtown Unthank and Desford to Kirkby Mallory. From there I had the idea of going over to Sutton Cheney and down Fenn Lanes. I went all the way down to the A5, then followed it all the way to the Atherstone Bypass. Wouldn’t normally do that, but it was quiet today.
Followed a sign to Sheepy from there. That took me along a road called Holly Lane. Not particularly interesting but I hadn’t been along there before either. As far as I can remember.
I’d given up on the fog clearing by this time, and on doing a fondo. It was foggy and wet all day, with a thin film of moisture forming on my clothing and on the bike. The roads were very wet. But I did at least want to do 70km, because that would give me the distinction of having completed 80,000 km since January 2015.
I came back a familiar way from Sheepy, as if doing the latter part of a Twycrosser.
Stopped to put lights on in front of a house at Newton Burgoland, and was startled to notice Nigel Farage pointing at me from their kitchen window. Would have stopped for a chat about the national interest but I wanted to get home for a coffee and some trifle.
The fog started to grow thicker just before sunset. One thing that makes a big difference when cycling in fog or a mist, or indeed drizzle or rain is wearing contact lenses instead of cycling glasses. Glad I did that today.
Listened to LBC, then football coverage on 5 Live. Unaccountably, although it was cold and wet all day I really enjoyed that one.
Back on 79.51km, which takes me to 712 this month, 10548 this year and 80009 since Jan ’15. I think 2024 has one more ride left in it, possibly two.