I toyed with the idea of doing a fondo this afternoon and when I set off at 1410 I did think I just might do that – but after about an hour I’d decided not to. Still feeling a bit fatigued from a day out in London yesterday followed by an extended period in a hot car. And it was a hot day today, as well.
The wind was blowing from the east so I’d started the Eastbound Route, but I decided to cut north and west to Wymeswold along Narrow Lane, and to come back home along the Old Eastbound Route.
I felt a splash of water on my left hand along Melton Road. Very odd.. thought a bird must have weed on me or something (do they even do that?). Then another one on my right arm! It didn’t occur to me for a moment that it might be rain, in the baking heat and bright sunshine. But it was! Occasional spots of rain for a few minutes. Then it stopped.
I stopped to have a look at the stream that runs beside the road in Wymeswold (actually the “River Mantle”). Thought I might see some minnows. But actually the stream looks like a sort of murky green noodle stew at the moment.
I decided to take the detour through Long Whatton and Diseworth after crossing the border back into Leicestershire, just to avoid the peak hour traffic along Ashby Road. The left turn after Diseworth had a ROAD CLOSED sign and a barrier right across the road, but I ignored it. I hoisted the bike over the barrier then hoisted my leg over. Unfortunately a mile later I came to another barrier, and this time I wasn’t going to ignore it. Substantial works were taking place to the road a little further ahead and the folks in hi-vis vests and safety helmets probably wouldn’t be very accommodating. So, I did a U turn and came back a longer way past the airport, through Isley Walton and down Top Brand.
Stopped for a Magnum ice cream at the village shop at Long Whatton. Washed it down with warm water. Today was a rare opportunity to use my 1 litre bidon, I’d filled it up and I consumed nearly all of its contents.
Listened mostly to Olympics coverage on 5 Live.
Back on 47.65 miles, which gives me a total of 640 this month. Thought that would be the highest-scoring month this year but interestingly, I did more than that in May. 3728 done this year.