A sunny summer’s day with nary a waft of wind – so since I had an opportunity to leave work early, I took it – with the aim of doing 37 miles or so.
I’d spent an improper proportion of the day when I should have been working devising a 37 mile route on the Strava route planner, though none I came up with seemed particularly desirable. I thought of extending the 35 mile longish Twycross that goes through Witherley, but couldn’t think of a pleasing way to do that.
Then a light bulb went on in my head. Why not do the Twycross, but after exactly half the distance I wanted, just stop and come back the other way?
This had three distinct advantages.
- I’d get to visit my favourite secluded wee spot twice
- I could get my distance to the exact requirement in a predictable manner
- I’d get to do the really flat stretch near Witherley twice
I also thought it would be fun to do, and a bit different.
So I did that; an experimental non-circular Twycross. I dressed in light gear, took it easy, soaked up the summer sunshine and the Leicestershire countryside ambience, and had a marvellous time. Although I’d replaced the front inner on the Planet X yesterday, I took the Cannondale. I never quite trust a new inner tube (I’m the same with gear cables and cleats) and didn’t want a lovely afternoon marred by another flat.
I actually stopped after 18.7 miles, rather than the 18.5 I’d intended. At the 18.5 point I was freewheeling down a gentle incline so I thought I might as well soak up a bit more distance while it was free, albeit I’d have to pedal a bit further on the way back.
Doing a familiar route in reverse can be disorienting and the southern end of this one isn’t that familiar, so I thought I’d probably have to consult a map. But I didn’t. The challenge of remembering the way back (Until the turn for Sheepy, easy after that) put a fun spin on my ride. I have done a reverse Twycross before and I’d forgotten how much easier it is to go from Twycross – Snarestone rather than the other way round. It’s all very gently downhill.
Really had a lovely time and my knees did really well. I’d love to be able to write one of these without repeatedly referring to the joints between my thighs and lower legs, but apparently I can’t.
I also had a nice view of the Moon in a blue sky. Always cheers me up for some reason, the Moon and Sun being out at the same time. I don’t know why.
37.65 which takes me well over half of May’s target with half the month left, so that’s good. I shall definitely do this one again. It’s very easy to extend as well as I increase my distances, by pushing further along Fenn Lanes before turning back. And the Atterton Lane bit is very quiet and pleasant.
What a luxury it seems to be able to go out for hours after work, and be back while it’s still broad daylight. I must say though, the longer days seem to have come round very fast this year. I’m reminded of Rod Stewart’s wise words that life is a bit like a toilet roll – it runs out really quickly when you get nearer the end.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2370562012
In other news: noticed that the stem bolts on the Boardman are showing a bit of rust so I bought some new titanium ones. But they’re so nice looking that I think I’ll put them on the Cannondale, and the Boardman can get the Cannondale’s hand-me-downs.
Oh yes, and while playing with the route planner I found a promising 18 mile stretch of road that’s pretty flat, SW of Derby. Might be worth doing a few lengths of that as a proof of concept for a flat Fondo in Norfolk.