I awoke to sun, clear skies and the absence of a default commute ride on account of the bank holiday.
Fridge still largely bereft of vegetables and forecast suggesting a preference for the morning, I was out on the Fuji for the second utility ride of the weekend.
I'd resolved to take it easy given the activites of last week and the commutes ahead of me in the coming days. Climbing west out of the village brought a pretty cold and brutal headwind, but this eventually passed as I peeled off down into the valley and into cover. Not much to report other than plenty of happy, civilised people on the rural stretch; out and about doing wholesome things in the bank holiday sun - walking, jogging, cycling, getting dragged around by their dogs...
Enter the town that shall not be named and the landscape changed to a linear carpark of static, po-faced tossers in their metal slave boxes; which I took great delight in overtaking as if they weren't there. Bonus points are awarded to the old bloke in his soft-roader who was about to turn across the stationary traffic I was overtaking (in clear view) only to see me at the last minute and react with a solid 10/10 Kennith Williams "Oh Matron" face..
Once at Waitrose, strutting around upright and puffy-chested thanks to post-ride endorphins, I scored a legit head of broccoli but had to make do with placcy-packaged brussels as that was all they had. Picked up some well-priced promotional gluten-free hippie bread and in the face of spiralling beer costs and spring sunshine acquired some gin and tonic; time will tell if I can manage to consume it responsibly and avoid getting accidentally sh*tfaced periodically.
Upon leaving I nearly ran over some boomers in the car park who were evidently attempting to reach the shop using any sense other than their vision. Slowly approaching I'd resolved to go behind them; only for them to see me at the last minute and step backwards - right into my path. Granted, I need a bell.. but of course it wouldn't be necessary in such situations if people paid at least the slightest bit of attention to their surroundings.
Had a nice ride back featuring more pleasant interactions with happy wholesome people, the journey ending on a slightly sour note however after a belligerent if low-drama face-off with a somewhat speeding driver coming the opposite way as I tried to turn across the road. Had they been within the limit it would all have been a non-issue, however I'm sick of people speeding through the village and wasn't going to wait for them; so made sure they had to wait for me instead.
Once home the momentum continued with a breakfast G&T while I waited for the glorious brunch fryup to cook (soft boiled eggs on toast, butcher's sausages and black pudding, garlic mushrooms - thanks for asking
) and also took the opportunity to prep some veg to go in the oven for tomorrow's lunch.
All in all an enjoyable and constructive ride of about 23 miles; the Fuji reliable as ever and especially pleasant thanks to its new rear brakes.
Feeling great now home, although not sure where the day will go once the exercise high and alcohol have worn off, the aches have returned, the sun's gone in and I've had to endure hours of the neighbour's screaming kids out the back...
, which I guess was natures way of telling me what a pillock I had been 
From the top of Fernhill the ride along the A38 back to home is pretty normal with my progress only spoiled by roundabouts and traffic lights.
