Well last week I managed two, in the slight break in the weather (well, as forecast, not actual).
On Monday I went out did an hour prologue over the Blackdowns and then joined up with a friend to do another 80 up onto Exmoor. Superb views from Winsfold Hill, north to the Welsh coast, south to Dartmoor, SE to the Blackdowns and east to the Quantocks. Pint and a pie for late lunch in the sunshine and then along the ridge of the Brendon Hills, before returning/descending to the Tone valley (Taunton Deane) to finish.
On Wednesday the NW wind was blowing at 20+mph so, spotting a forecast gap in the showers, I jumped on the train to Barnstaple (87 minutes) and cycled back from there. But the showers had made unfortunately good progress and I did not out ride them, though they came and went and the wind was, of course, constantly not in my face - much more civilised. However one shower stands out: it chucked it down with significant size hailstones, to the extent I was rather glad I was wearing a helmet, but the hail didn't cover the road this time (cf February). Glad to finish a bit wet by then but still feeling my feet. Sealskin waterproof gloves weren't, well not after 4 hours. Think it's finally time to move from shoes to boots as well.
Today (Sunday) is a brilliant, sunny, not cold day but a ride's ruled out by Remembrance Day. The largest turnout I've ever seen at the War Memorial in Exmouth's centre. Some cyclists there too, achieving a perfect combination.
