I've been following the forecast all week with anticipation as it looked very promising for getting the November Imperial Century in. However, waking early I looked out into a blanket of thick fog just like I did for last month's ride.
Wasn't going to stop me, but it did change the plans somewhat. The Ludlow route I had in mind was out as this includes a lot of relatively fast B roads which would not be at all fun in these conditions. The backup was the tried and tested Melverley, Oswestry, Ellesmere, Wem, Cressage and Cardington route (roughly the reverse of what I did for the October ride in the same conditions). I did also have a back up plan which was to head for Lake Vyrnwy if the fog had cleared by the time I got to Maesbrook (about 20 miles in).
Setting out there was a surprising amount of traffic on the main roads for 7am on a Sunday but the lanes were much quieter and more pleasant. I used the washing up liquid trick on my glasses again which worked well
and was definitely needed.
Heading for Westbury I went via Pontesbury and Minsterley, adding a couple of miles and giving a little variety to the route. On the approach to Pontesbury I encountered the first numpty of the trip who gave me plenty of room but forced the (well lit) car coming the other way into an emergency stop - I swear some people can't see beyond the end of their bonnet.
On the approach to Westbury this route takes me along a bit of a lane where I had the first taste of conditions to come - extremely muddy.
At Coedway I got treated to the unusual sight of just a pair of legs riding a bike
. The rider looming out of the murk in the other direction was wearing a yellow high-viz jacket which acted as very effective camoflage against the pale foggy background until he got quite close. Something to think about - high-viz doesn't
always make you more visible.
The Vyrnwy idea fell by the wayside at Measbrook as conditions hadn't improved at all but at Oswestry I just rode out of the fog. It was thick on the south side of town but
up north. This didn't last long though, after a quick stop for my second breakfast I soon rode back into it at Gobowen.
I was getting on better than usual so after a muddy section to Ellesmere I dispensed with my usual stop there and carried on to Welshampton. There are loads of pheasants out at the moment and dinging my bell at a couple getting in the way I was treated to a comic display as they ran hither and thither in the road before crashing into each other and finally thinking to fly away.
I'm sure whoever coined the phrase "bird brained" was thinking of pheasants when they said it.
After more mud on the way I thought I'd use the direct (and not muddy) route to Wem but unfortunately the B5063 is closed at this end curently so I was back onto the usual way thorugh Lyneal , picking up the B road later. The closure was a good thing though as there was very little traffic and I decided to stay with this road all the way to Wem rather than using the back roads I normally prefer.
After a brief refreshment stop at Wem the ride continued and the fog thickened again. The new saddle was making its presence felt by this point and possibly it wasn't the best idea to use it for a 100 miler when I've only ridden it for about a week.
By Upton Magna the fog was clearing again and I paused at Wroxeter in the sunshine for my lunch stop. It was difficult getting going again afterwards (the new saddle also puts me in a slightly different riding position so the muscles haven't adjusted to it yet).
It was very slow going by Cressage which coincided with the ride getting hilly - the downside of going this way round. For the first time since the start of the year I wasn't sure if I was going to make it, but stubbornly carried on with more and more frequent stops for a breather.
I was accosted by a collie somewhere near Harley (don't think he likes the helmet.
) and finally found a second wind near Cardington which was very timely as it was just before the big climb of the day. Descending the other side was great and a slight tailwind assisted for the remaining 10 miles or so to home, where just as I was putting the bike away another bank of thick fog has rolled in. Timed that well.
101.52 miles for the day. 9 hours including stops. No idea about the moving average as I accidentally reset the speedometer while trying to stop one of my lights from falling off the handlebar.
(Luckily it records distance as daily as well as trip, which doesn't reset on the button).
The bike has a similar look to a rally car that has just completed a forest stage and there is a certain amount of blood too as I cut myself when catching the falling light
, so a good clean will be in order.
Gloomy start
On the approach to Pontesbury
The corrugated iron church at Maesbury
Also at Maesbury - the sad sight of the abandoned school.
Sunshine at last near Oswestry Hill Fort.
Between Lyneal and Wem - Ever have the feeling you were being watched?
More sunshine at Wroxeter - looks a bit better than last time I was here.
Cardington and the Royal Oak seems especially tempting today.
Over the hill and down the other side, Caer Caradoc basks in the surprising November warmth.
