First proper ride since mid July, and it felt good. I've been thinking of doing a bit more climbing, so destination was to be Malvern.
Forecast was mild, but with risk of showers, and a light breeze, so shorts and short sleeve jersey, hoping to miss the showers, or that at least they would be light.
Out around twenty to seven, via Diglis, over the pedestrian bridge to Lower Wick, and head for Callow end via Powick, turning right into Jennet Tree Lane for Newland.
It had been threatening rain since I left home, and by now it was raining, but not too hard, and it wasn't cold, so I wasn't too bothered by it. At the end of Jennet Tree Lane was a left, and then a right at Sherrards Green for Malvern. This route goes more or less straight up the hill towards the Priory, with the climb starting at the Pickersleigh Rd roundabout. I took it steady, but even so, by the time I got to the Priory my legs needed a rest. I stopped for a drink, and by the time I started again the rain was also starting to subside.
At the top of Church St was a left and then a right for the second half of the climb up to the Wyche. Took it again steady, and this time I made it to the top without stopping. I thought I had been slow, but I made it in about the same time as my fastest.
Past the cutting followed Jubilee Drive to British Camp, and then bombing down the A449 towards Ledbury. Spun out on my highest gear, but still managed a maximum of 33.8 mph, which I think is a record for me, and gave my legs a rest.
Took a rest at the bottom of the hill, and by now the sun was shining, and there was a nice view of the hills.
From here headed to Eastnor, so still taking advantage of gravity going downhill, preparing for the short ascent to Holybush. I am managing climbing a bit better, but I am quite slow going up, however, I compensate on the downhill, reaching 30 mph again on the way to the turn for Castlemorton.
From here is a steady ride past Welland and into Upton, for the final push home. Stopped for another rest by Earls Croome church, and then up Kinnersley and Pirton for home.
37.7 miles, at a surprising 14mph, with just over 2000ft of up. Best of all, I still had some energy left, and I could have done a longer distance.
