Didn’t want to go far today. Partly because I wanted to test the new saddle I fitted to the X yesterday, partly because I want to preserve my energy for a potential long ride on Tuesday. The weather’s still coming from the east, and I thought about 50k along the eastbound route and back would do. I thought I’d loop round through Sutton Bonington before turning for home.
Still very nice weather, a bit cooler and cloudier than Friday so I applied a bit more clothing.
So I set off at about 1210, and after I got to Trowell Lane, I took the left toward Sutty. But I reached the crossroads north of the village and thought I’d pedal a few km toward Gotham. Very nice along there in the warm sunshine. I turned back after about 3km when I came to a public footpath sign. Always like to make a u-turn near a recognisable landmark, in case I have to synthesise the track due to an equipment failure.
Unfortunately I took a wrong turn on my way back down and ended up in Kegworth, so I had to come down the A6. But it wasn’t too busy on a Sunday afternoon. Back on 54.28 which takes me to 806 done this month.
After the right turn onto Ashby Road I had the good fortune to find myself following a young woman cyclist in DHB shorts that hugged her curves perfectly. Hypnotic. I kept up with her for about 4km, discreetly enjoying the view until she turned off for Shepshed.
The new saddle is spot on – incredibly comfortable, and it looks like I got the adjustment right first time as well. Tempted to buy one for the Roubaix if I can get another one, or maybe I’ll just swap them round.
Listened mostly to the Reacher novel. There’s a scene in the film set on a plane that’s a bit implausible, but in the book it’s a lot more implausible. Fascinating to see how much of the plot and detail in the book was just discarded for the film, but I suppose it would have lasted about 10 hours otherwise.