I like to do at least one fondo every calendar month; a sort of mandatory self-imposed target. And I was a little concerned that I’d let half the month slip away without getting it done for January 2025 – mainly due to dismal weather. Don’t think I’d left it so late for years.
And the weather was pretty dismal today as well, but I was determined to get a 100km ride in. So I did.
I’d hoped to set off at about 1000, which would see me back before sunset. But the view out of the window was not encouraging, when I got up. Thick fog. So made sure I had lights, and set off a bit later at 1038.
I’d decided on the southbound route. Cold and murky for the first hour or so, but nice once the sun came out and chased away the fog. Conditions warmed up nicely, I had to take off a layer after the first couple of hours.
I took the bypass round Earl Shilton and approached Stoney Stanton from the west. Fortunate that I did, because when I got to the crossroads there I noticed that my usual approach had been blocked off – the whole width of the road was being resurfaced.
I crossed the border into Northamptonshire after about 54 km. Pootled past the gliding club (nothing happening today) then came back the same way – except that I came up into Ibstock along the A47 rather than the usual considerably quieter route through Bagworth and Ellistown. I only did this to get home a bit quicker but it was definitely a mistake. Busy with traffic and quite unpleasant, especially in the dark.
Listened mostly to 5 Live. Much discussion about the impending (or not) ceasefire agreement between the two usual belligerents in the Middle East.
Back on 107.45, 426 done this month. I don’t feel as if I’ve done that much distance this year so far, but surprisingly 426 is a record for Jan 16th. A little more than 2km ahead of this time last year.
Oh, and although I don’t do imperial measurements now, for what it’s worth I’ve now done 50,026 miles since Jan 15.