A longer ride this afternoon on a variation of a route I did earlier in the week: Condover, Cantlop, Acton Burnell, Cound Moor, Harnage, Cound, Cross Houses, Berrington, King Street. Condover and back.
Plenty of vehicles at the shops when I passed by, but there seemed not to be quite as many people walking and the roads seemed quieter than the last few times I've been out. I had a bit of help from the wind on the way through Condover to Cantlop then an obstacle from some mobile works that were going on at the side of the road. I got waved through but with a JCB blocking the carriageway I doubt that I was 6 feet from the workmen.
After joining the Acton Burnell road I could see another cyclist ahead and slowly reeled them in over the next mile or so. My chance to overtake came at the sharp dip just before Pitchford where I sprinted past at the bottom of the valley and breezed up the climb the other side at a rate which surprised me, cresting the bank at 14 mph, which would be pretty good going on any of my bikes let alone the Hawk. I don't know if it was the timing of the sprint or if I just picked up a helping tailwind at the right moment.
The gentle climb through Pitchford and on to Acton Burnell brough reality back as I settled down to my more usual 11 mph. I didn't see the other cyclist again though.
Heading through Acton Burnell and Cound Moor was pretty quiet. I cut the corner heading to Harnage, had the road completely to myself as far as Cound and noticed that the house with the flag pole was flying a Yorkshire county flag today.
Few cars on the A458 so I stayed on it to Cross Houses again, then I had to start working against the wind as I turned back towards Condover.
I'd only seen about five cyclists on the trip so far (plus a bike leaned against a hedge near Harnage with no sign of a rider) but after getting back to Condover I passed a few riders heading the other way and was catching one ahead, meaning that the final tally ended up at about 14.
20.5 miles this time at 13.9 mph average.
Edit: I forgot to mention having to avoid the youngster walking a labrador who got dragged out into the road in front of me on the way out through Condover. Good job I wasn't in a car.
Near Acton Burnell, the swans are still quite at home in the steadily shrinking pool left over from the wet winter.
..(beats working) .. still blowy and cold though ,lots more cyclists out today. quite a few were couples which is great to see. 36 miles and feeling better for been out.no pics forgot phone 
