I was determined to do at least 161km today, or what might be termed a “100 miler”. I knew the route I was going to take, out toward Norfolk. But I didn’t know how far I was going to go, or what time I was going to get up.
I went to bed early, at about 2330. I dozed happily for a couple of hours then got up at 0300. Took my time having breakfast. Didn’t want to leave too early. Would mean spending more time in the cooler conditions. I set of just after 0410.
In one respect I’d picked the perfect day for a long ride. Although I sometimes listen to music or an audiobook, most of all I like to listen to the radio on a bike ride, on my DAB personal. I’m a politics junkie, and the local election results were starting to come in. As I set off, the count for the Runcorn by-election was taking place. Drama! I followed it on LBC. The whole eastbound leg of the ride was a breeze, I think partly because for long periods I was too engrossed in the election results coverage to notice that I was riding a bicycle. Beautifully quiet first thing in the morning.
I did miss a turn after Castle Bytham, the third time I’ve made the same mistake now. I must rehearse it on Street View. I recovered fairly quickly, anyway.
I’d chosen a route that’s a good compromise between nicely surfaced A or B roads and the very distinctive straight roads that run alongside the drainage channels, and give the Fens its character. I stopped at an airfield abot a km short of Holbeach, then decided to turn back. I’d been toying with the idea to go all the way to Foul Anchor, but it wasn’t the best day for it. I’d have to do a couple of hours in the dark over the last 35 km or so. Perhaps in a few weeks’ time I’ll set off at 0300 and do that, when the daylight hours are longer.
Had a very enjoyable rest stop at the village shop / caff at Castle Bytham on the way back. Friendly place. Not long after that though, somewhere near South Witham, I noticed a subtle, rhythmic bump coming from the back wheel. Checked it of course – the tyre had slightly deformed; the same thing that happened to the Tricross a few months ago, though not quite so obvious. I had about 70km to go so I was a bit anxious. It did actually get a bit worse. But it didn’t look like the tyre was going to selectively burst out of the rim so I kept my fingers crossed, mentally anyway.
Once back in familiar territory, I failed to take the turn to Wymeswold as I’d intended. Just running on autopilot, or too absorbed by the election results coverage. Unfortunate because a stretch of the road between Cotes and Stanford has been “resurfaced” by having dusty gravel chucked on it. Perhaps Leicestershire’s new Reform-dominated council can improve matters.
Lovely warm day, periods of bright sunshine interspersed with light cloud, and I’ve caught the sun a bit. Sharpened my tanlines nicely, even though I didn’t take the tights off until I’d got onto the Fens.
Back on 253.04km.