After yesterdays soaking ride, today I was quite chilly, but dry....
I decided to take the full suss as I wanted a bit more tread on the frozen ground.
By the time I got to the bridleway across one of the fields, however, some of it had defrosted in the sun and it had turned into muddy slush and goo! After a chat with the local farmer, I decided to use a byway into the forest rather than attempt to cross his fields. He said it was even boggier at the bottom of the bridleway.
As I rode a circuit of Salcey Forest, I was surprised, initially, how quite it was.
in this part of the trail.
There are still a few off-piste trails to be found there, but they were also starting to defrost, but this bridge was frosty, damp wood which was very slippery..
I stopped for a drink and a Mars Bar an icy picnic bench before heading to the cafe and car parks. It was heaving there! There were three car parking marshals trying to sort out the parking! I didn't even bother queuing at the cafe for a coffee.. Life is too short.
My way home was mainly on tarmac and cycle paths.
Back, with frozen toes, on 27 miles, but at least the hosepipe had thawed out in the sun so I could wash the bike down.
All in all, a cracking ride in brilliant sunshine.
It was just like summer, but a bit colder
https://www.strava.com/activities/818690086
I decided to take the full suss as I wanted a bit more tread on the frozen ground.
By the time I got to the bridleway across one of the fields, however, some of it had defrosted in the sun and it had turned into muddy slush and goo! After a chat with the local farmer, I decided to use a byway into the forest rather than attempt to cross his fields. He said it was even boggier at the bottom of the bridleway.
As I rode a circuit of Salcey Forest, I was surprised, initially, how quite it was.
in this part of the trail.
There are still a few off-piste trails to be found there, but they were also starting to defrost, but this bridge was frosty, damp wood which was very slippery..
I stopped for a drink and a Mars Bar an icy picnic bench before heading to the cafe and car parks. It was heaving there! There were three car parking marshals trying to sort out the parking! I didn't even bother queuing at the cafe for a coffee.. Life is too short.
My way home was mainly on tarmac and cycle paths.
Back, with frozen toes, on 27 miles, but at least the hosepipe had thawed out in the sun so I could wash the bike down.
All in all, a cracking ride in brilliant sunshine.
It was just like summer, but a bit colder
https://www.strava.com/activities/818690086
. Haskworth ,Thorton back over the A52 Elton ,Redmile ,Plunger and a welcome coffee stop at Dove Cottage coffee and cake was consumed . Checked milage here and was disappointed to only have 62 miles in the bag and it's 25 miles home so a few extra will have to be found . Out the cafe the into Stathern and the climb out of the vale the brute that is Stathern hill even with cafe legs I ground my self to the top. Now on the exposed ridge I could feel the full force of the wind and knew it going to be tough return . Heading to Wycomb ,Scalford then only the ridge and straight into the headwind so quick route change and started to retrace this morning route . Saxileby ,Asfordby ,Hoby ,Thrussington ,Ratcliffe on the Wreake and back to Cossington and to add miles I turned out of the headwind thankfully . Sileby, Mountsorrel ,Quorn ,Woodhouse ,Swithland ,Rothley ,Cropston and home .102.8 miles in the bag 1 out of twelve down . After the first 90 mins I really enjoyed the ride apart from battling the headwind bit of bad planning on my part . Only saw 4 other riders out today and it's the first time I've been to Dove Cottage and there's no other riders in . Gave the bike a wipe down as its filthy and feet up and coffee and cake
for the off. Hope you recover soon.
