Second attempt at the imperial century for May.
In the run up to the weekend, sunday looked the better day in the forecasts, but the updates changed as we got nearer so that even though it was forecast to be showery, today looked better with regards to the wind.
As promised in the last write-up I've been good and kept off the bike to rest it after straining my left knee. I've also done some adjustments after a conversation with
@gavgav made me realise that it may in part have been due to a squashed nerve (I've adjusted the tension of the saddle a couple of times recently). So about 7 this morning set out with a not so tense saddle to see what I could achieve.
I did a variation one of my regular routes this time to try and take advantage of the wind direction and so that if I had to cut it short it would be easier. The planned route was out to Condover first before turning west through Exfords Green and out to Pontesbury and Minsterley (a couple of miles added here compared to the way I usually go) then to Westbury, and through Melverley to Oswestry. Ellesmere was the next stop after that, then Wem, Shawbury, Upton Magna, Wroxeter and Cressage. From there the route becomes hillier on the way to Harley, and Cardington before finally heading home through Longnor, Great Ryton and Condover again.
It was much quieter setting out at this time compared to the bank holiday monday and first bit was pretty uneventful apart from finding that the saddle needed further adjustments to feel right (back in the autumn I tried to replicate the set up from the knockabout bike that was working pretty well for commuting - it clearly does not suit this bike). Despite these changes the left knee started to ache again as early as 12 miles,
but didn't feel bad like last time so I carried on.
I got up to Oswestry without it feeling any worse so continued to Ellesmere. This section was a little more difficult as the knee didn't like the frequent ups and downs on this section (despite the wind helping), but eased again as I got closer to town. I had a quick break by The Mere then carried on.
For the next section to Wem the wind was helping quite nicely and I set quite a good pace apart from climbing over the hill just before town. I had my lunch stop here before carrying on.
There is a bigger hill after Wem but by taking it slow I got up with no issues. At the top I passed a few riders going the other way: a penguin, Wally (from the "Where's Wally" books), a tiger, a lion, two escaped convicts on a tandem and Father Christmas among many others. A charity ride I presume - otherwise someone must have slipped something into my water bottles.
I regret to say that when I received a deliberate close pass a few miles afterwards I couldn't restrain myself and gave a (not particularly offensive) gesture in frustration
which resulted in Mr Angry stopping to harangue me and repeatedly demand "what the **** was that?" Unlike the last time this happened I
did keep my cool. No arguing, no name-calling, I just shook my head, told him to get lost and rode on. He made some parting comment which I didn't hear - I suspect it wasn't "have a nice day".
I wonder if his girlfriend in the passenger seat was impressed.
No more of these swivel eyed loonies please - I've had my fill!
Strangely this incident actually helped. The adrenalin rush from not knowing what was about to happen stopped my knee aching and I covered the next 20 miles at a surprisingly brisk pace. I stopped to check if another rider was okay near Cressage as he was was sat on the roadside looking knackered - we had a brief chat which cheered me up. Just after Cressage another couple of riders overtook me, then settled down to a slower pace than mine - proving a point I think but they offered a nice wind-break for a while.
The good pace didn't last unfortunately and by 86 miles I was struggling up all the climbs. The knee was aching almost as badly as last time and I really plodded, but did make it to the top of the Folly Bank climb where after a rest, refreshment and a pleasant chat with a walker all was well again and I enjoyed a relatively quick run to home.
102.4 miles for the day (and thankfully got the century without having to find any extra mileage at the end of the ride) at an average of 12.9 mph.
On the way to Pontesbury. A vivid crop against a threatening sky.
Oswestry
I ride past this dragon sculpture quite frequently but haven't photographed it before for fear of upsetting the owners.
Taking a quick break at Ellesmere.
The church at Welshampton with its unusual patterned roof.
It's clearly been pretty wet in places today (the bike is plastered in mud). I've been lucky though and missed practically all the showers.
Nice ironwork at Wem.
Near Harley and looking across the valley to Wenlock Edge.
So tempting, but it's only 12 miles to home now and there's some bottles of Butty Bach waiting for me.
But you are now in the middle of nowhere!
After this is was plain sailing until the long, rocky and fast descent to Kilsley. Halfway. 
After a final drop down across fields, I was back at Settle 
.
