Cricket nets were cancelled this evening and so I got out for a ride instead. Nice sunshine, only a gentle breeze, but a cold one still and needed 3 layers on.
I followed my usual route to Dad’s, via Hook a Gate and Annscroft, remarkable only for all of the traffic on the busy road giving me loads of room and being patient with their overtakes!!
I followed the lane to Stapleton, being patiently overtaken by a Golf, with a thanks from the hazards, only to round the next bend to find them reversing back towards me to let a young couple in a Fiesta through. The male passenger in the Fiesta thanked the golf driver by leaning over and sticking the middle finger up at them. WTF?!
I had 45 minutes chatting with my Dad and then my Brother, before setting back out to Gonsal. Waited an age to cross the A49, behind another chap on a much sportier looking bike than mine, who then left me for dead on the lane to Ryton.
I varied my usual route back by heading to Berriewood. The lane between the farms at Ryton and Wheathall was flooded, necessitating a freewheel with feet in the air, showing still how much rain has come down recently.
From Berriewood there is a nice descent to Condover, where I joined Lyons Lane, along with mud and stones back all over the road from the farmers heading too and from the fields. 3 tractors out ploughing in one of the fields near Betton Bank.
I finished by heading through Betton Abbots and then home. The road near home has finally started to have some of the white lines re-painted, but they appear completely random in those that have and haven’t been done. I hope they’re coming back to finish them off, as they’ve been almost completely missing for 12 months, including the painted cycle lanes.
16.23 miles at 12.8 mph avg
a combo of hockey season (now ended) crap weather and a massive decorating /DIY list mean I have since made it out on easter sunday and last night.
