Another new month comes round and this time I wanted to get my challenge ride in promptly so set out early yesterday to rack up some miles.
My metric 200 in May went quite well up 'til about 90 miles when tiredness and hills lost a lot off the average speed. I thought I'd like to see what I could do over that route without the extra quarter century at the end so brought out the Galaxy (which has been a bit neglected of late) and set off to Condover, Exfords Green, Minsterley, Westbury, Prince's Oak, and Melverley.
It takes a little while to get used to this bike after an absence but once back into it I love the way it handles and how it eats up the miles. The handling got tested between Plealey and Pontesbury when I needed to jink round a vehicle coming out of a driveway (try looking
both ways). Apart from that it was a pretty quiet and pleasant run though Melvereley and on to Maesbrook where I deviated slightly from the planned route and took a left onto the main road for a short stretch before turning towards Waen Wen rather than taking the little lane that cuts the corner. It's a bit further but smoother and faster.
I spotted a Jay along the next lane (haven't seen one for ages) and at the B4396 crossing found that road was closed (looks like resurfacing), which was pushing traffic onto the lane I was about to take. My first food stop was taken in a gateway near Morton Common and it had warmed up enough to convert the trousers to shorts. Checking the map while here I found I'd managed to miss the junction I'd intended to take so as to try an alternative route to Ball and the Maesbury Road. That meant a short backtrack which turned out to be worth it as it was nice down here.
Having passed through Oswestry I was forced to stop at Gobowen as the level crossing was against me. Leaving the town I got my first taste of a tailwind for the day which was quite welcome but didn't last for long as I turned east again. Somewhere near Crickett a mink darted across the road in front of me - another creature I haven't seen for a while and one I'd rather not see as they are non-native and damaging to the local wildlife.
I was getting on quite well so didn't stop at Ellesmere but carried on through Coptiveney and Welshampton then had my elevenses stop overlooking the canal at Hampton Bank.
Northwood was next where I got held up at traffic lights which took their time changing, then I turned off towards Whixall where I was overtaken at a photo stop by a guy on a recumbent trike.
At Prees I found another level crossing was against me and it stayed closed for a full five minutes while the single railcar arrived at a very leisurely pace and stopped to pick up passengers. Moving on again, after having been on the flat for a while the climb out of Prees is a bit of an effort. The descent to Higher Heath is worthwhile though. A gentler climb to Ightfield follows where I turned and would have the light wind helping me for most of the rest of the trip. I got some reasonable speed up on the way through Calverhall and Longslow to Longford where a peacock strolled across my path. I'd have taken a photo but he wandered off before I could get the camera out.
Market Drayton was as potholed and rough to ride through as usual. I see that a few of the worst holes on the way to the golf club have been painted round but no sign of anything actually being done about them. I stopped near Sutton for my lunch break but immediately got surrounded by flies so had to move to a gateway away from the trees a little further down the road.
With the tailwind and some fairly flat riding I made good progress over the next section to High Ercall (somewhere else that needs some urgent road resurfacing) but after a drink stop the legs weren't very keen to get moving again so I was glad that it wasn't too far to home now.
The gentle descent into Atcham was good for getting some speed up but I couldn't keep that pace up to Crosshouses and Berrington. At Condover I had a bit of a moment when a Land Rover Discovery coming the other way swung across onto my side of the road just in front of me. The driver wanted to park up right outside the school and rather than waiting for me to pass I was expected to move out of her way. Not amused by that.
Thankfully there was no further incident for the remaining distance and I got home tired but content with my quickest imperial century of the year in the bag.
102.1 miles at 14.4 mph moving average and a maximum speed of 30.7mph. Approx 8 hours 40 minutes with the stops included.
Excellent conditions for a long ride as I set out today.
Being watched while I get my bearings.
Getting held up at Gobowen.
Elevenses stop at Hampton Bank.
At Dobson's Bridge.
Market Drayton.
Lunch stop on the way to Stoke Heath. The crop is some variety of elephant grass that is being grown as biofuel.
On the old bridge at Atcham.
Cronkhill looking good in the sunshine.
.A few more miles to Newark before heading back to the cafe I'd past at 0800 for 0930 opening . Rolled into the Car park to find it closed 
. 10 minutes sat on the picnic tables trying to decided whether to head for another cafe or just press on and do the last 32 miles . Felt ok so pressed on for home . The one problem heading for the flatlands of the vale is you have to climb out of it . Took the steady climb from Hickling Pastures to Nether Broughton ,which then left one short climb out of Old Dalby . Hit this steep ramp with 90 miles in the legs into a headwind it wasnt pretty but got up it .From here it's mostly downhill to home . Home at 12.00 just as it's getting properly hot 105.3 miles in the bag in 6.40 so another month ticked off so I can relax this month . This is my first solo ton for over a year and found it tough going needed 
it was a lot windy than expected and a headwind coming home was hard work
