First ride in March, I wasn't going to leave the 50k challenge to the last day like I did in January and February. A late start for me today, around 10:15 I think it was. The plan was to go to Tewkesbury via Twyning, and back via Eckington, all avoiding the main roads as much as possible.
Out to the A38 at the Ketch, down to Kempsey and then onto the back lanes through Kerswell Green and Kinnersley. The weather was OK, not cold or raining, but very grey, though the roads were dry. Making good progress, but not pushing too hard, as last weekend the last 10k were hard work, so I wanted to keep a bit in the tank.
Out of Earls Croome was a turn for Baughton, and then the back lanes towards Strensham via Hill Croome. I had a nasty close pass onto oncoming traffic from a van in the short section of main road before Baughton, and it will be reported. Past Strensham there was a section of road flooded on both sides, with a dry section in the middle. I moved towards the centre to avoid the puddle, and the twonk impatient that was following me had to overtake at that point, driving through the flood and splashing me. This driver will be reported too.
After Strensham comes the descent to Twyning, and this chap which I hadn't seen for a while.
It always reminds me of @twentysixbytwentyfive, hope he's doing ok.
At Twinning I stopped for a snack and a breather, and then on to Tewkesbury via The Mythe. At Tewkesbury then turn towards Bredon, and then Eckington. I did this section a bit quicker than expected, as legs were feeling good. No records, when I say quicker is with reference to my past performances. The picnic area at Eckington is quite soggy from the flooding still, though the river is now well within its bank.
The light for the bridge doesn't detect cyclists reliability, so had to wait for a few minutes for a car to arrive and trigger the change. Just ahead of the car was another cyclist, who followed me without drafting through to the last hill at Defford. This is a short little 10% barstard of a ramp that always catches me out on the way back. It wasn't too bad today, it feels like I'm getting some fitness back.
So at the top of the ramp the other guy caught up with me and we exchanged pleasantries about the ride, and we drafted each other till Wadborough, where went different ways. After Wadborough there's a bit of a descent for a mile or so and then the turn to Littleworth. As I turned into the lane there was some mud I hadn't noticed, and the rear wheel slid out, so I hit the deck. Not too hard, as I wasn't going too quick, but I got some road rash in my left arm and leg. The worst bit is that the jacket sleeve tore, and it was new jacket
.
The tears are not bad, so the jacket is usable. The real quick release and the handlebars bore the brunt of the impact on the bike. I'm going to need new bar tape, maybe a new quick release, and the brifterrs are going to need some polish.
As I was feeling OK, and it didn't seem like there was anything wrong with the bike mechanically I decided to ride the three or four miles left. The bike felt perfectly fine, and a careful inspection at home didn't reveal anything other than the cosmetic damage.
A good ride overall, shame it ended in a low note.
The map
Out to the A38 at the Ketch, down to Kempsey and then onto the back lanes through Kerswell Green and Kinnersley. The weather was OK, not cold or raining, but very grey, though the roads were dry. Making good progress, but not pushing too hard, as last weekend the last 10k were hard work, so I wanted to keep a bit in the tank.
Out of Earls Croome was a turn for Baughton, and then the back lanes towards Strensham via Hill Croome. I had a nasty close pass onto oncoming traffic from a van in the short section of main road before Baughton, and it will be reported. Past Strensham there was a section of road flooded on both sides, with a dry section in the middle. I moved towards the centre to avoid the puddle, and the twonk impatient that was following me had to overtake at that point, driving through the flood and splashing me. This driver will be reported too.
After Strensham comes the descent to Twyning, and this chap which I hadn't seen for a while.
It always reminds me of @twentysixbytwentyfive, hope he's doing ok.
At Twinning I stopped for a snack and a breather, and then on to Tewkesbury via The Mythe. At Tewkesbury then turn towards Bredon, and then Eckington. I did this section a bit quicker than expected, as legs were feeling good. No records, when I say quicker is with reference to my past performances. The picnic area at Eckington is quite soggy from the flooding still, though the river is now well within its bank.
The light for the bridge doesn't detect cyclists reliability, so had to wait for a few minutes for a car to arrive and trigger the change. Just ahead of the car was another cyclist, who followed me without drafting through to the last hill at Defford. This is a short little 10% barstard of a ramp that always catches me out on the way back. It wasn't too bad today, it feels like I'm getting some fitness back.
So at the top of the ramp the other guy caught up with me and we exchanged pleasantries about the ride, and we drafted each other till Wadborough, where went different ways. After Wadborough there's a bit of a descent for a mile or so and then the turn to Littleworth. As I turned into the lane there was some mud I hadn't noticed, and the rear wheel slid out, so I hit the deck. Not too hard, as I wasn't going too quick, but I got some road rash in my left arm and leg. The worst bit is that the jacket sleeve tore, and it was new jacket
.The tears are not bad, so the jacket is usable. The real quick release and the handlebars bore the brunt of the impact on the bike. I'm going to need new bar tape, maybe a new quick release, and the brifterrs are going to need some polish.
As I was feeling OK, and it didn't seem like there was anything wrong with the bike mechanically I decided to ride the three or four miles left. The bike felt perfectly fine, and a careful inspection at home didn't reveal anything other than the cosmetic damage.
A good ride overall, shame it ended in a low note.
The map
