Not working today. On annual leave. So with the Boardman out of action until the new front mech arrives and a risk of showers, the hybrid was once again selected for cycling duties. I left the garage at about 11AM, with no particular plan except to take it easy and stay out for a few hours. Quite warm and humid out there despite being cloudy and I'm afraid I overdressed a bit, but wasn't too uncomfortable.
Set off through Coleorton thinking of going to Donington, but saw a sign to Melbourne near Isley Walton. I hadn't taken that road before and a day off always seems like an opportunity for an adventure, so I turned left. I then had the idea of navigating from Melbourne to Markfield, something I've done quite a few times, each time hoping I'll have a Eureka moment and remember part of the route I took between those places on a memorable ride in 1990, many years before I lived round here. I remember very little from that ride unfortunately and I didn't pick up any new clues. But it was a good adventure nonetheless, riding roads I hadn't done before in some cases.
When I got to Breedon I decided to stop for a snack, but realised a few seconds later that I'd left my food in the garage. Fortunately I had a debit card on me and the post office at Breedon was only a minute further along the road. Very handy and a very cyclist-friendly little shop in that it's tiny and you're never more than a few feet from your bike parked outside while perusing the various sandwiches / cheese rolls / soft drinks etc. I bought a cheese salad sandwich, a croissant and a little bottle of blackcurrant juice to top up the water bottle.
Made my way down to Markfield and stopped for a while at a bench there, listening to an interview with Ronnie Wood on 5 Live. Not been in the best of health recently and he does sound a bit doddery bless him, despite having become the proud father of twin daughters last year. Can't help thinking they probably won't have a dad by the time they're teenagers.
Anyway I came back through Thornton, Bagworth (pronounced "Baggerth" by the locals), Ellistown and Donington Le Heath.
36.21 miles, doesn't seem a lot for four hours out on the bike. But it's a hilly route, the hybrid is hard going and I was taking it easy. I enjoyed myself anyway and that's the most important thing.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1146375716That's 356 this month, 2906 this year.
One thing I think I've learned from today's experience is that I need a third road bike, so I can keep the green one for defiantly dry weather conditions but still have a spare. I've made space in the garage.
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