One from Wednesday (8th of October): The rather damp and drizzly morning hadn't been very inspiring to ride out into so I got out for a ride a bit later than intended and heading for a shorter route. After trying to come up with something original I ended up doing a variation of a tried and tested route, taking in some hills as I went to Pontesbury, Habberley, Pulverbatch, Picklescott, Leebotwood, Dudgeley and back via Hollyhurst, Longnor and Condover.
Although it would have been good to use one of the better bikes, I ended up taking the Hawk as I'd done a couple of tweaks that needed testing out. One of those was an adjustment to the saddle angle, which felt better for the first climb of the day up Lyth Hill. Having dropped down the other side, there was little traffic about on the road through Plealey to Pontesbury and it wasn't too bad on the main road there either.
The next lot of climbing leads to Habberley, and again the adjustment was a noticeable improvement here with Strava backing up my feeling with a personal best on this bit. After Habberley there is some steeper climbing to do on a narrow lane. I'd almost got to the top when I met a large tractor and trailer completely filling the lane. Thankfully the driver backed up for me - a very rare thing. You are a gentleman sir!
On the way to Pulverbatch I met a cattle lorry, again pretty much filling the lane. No backing up here, but I got a cheery wave for getting as far off the road as I could. Just a short distance further on I had a close call in Pulverbatch with one of the on-demand buses which was cutting a corner.
It was much quieter on the way to Wilderley but something large bounced noisily off my helmet - I think it might have been a hornet. I started the climb of Pease Lane and was going really well until my trouser clips shifted when I stood for one of the steep bits and trouser leg was catching on the chainring. I had to stop to sort it and decided to just tuck the trousers into my socks instead, which was much more secure. I just started off again when I noticed a loose shoelace, so had to stop to deal with that too and found the other coming loose as well.
Some trips it feels like everything is out to vex me.
No incidents on the descent from Picklescott to Smethcott and it was pretty enjoyable riding to Dudgeley as well, followed by a really decent gap in the traffic to cross the A49.
There wasn't much wind about this time but I did know I'd turned into it as I headed northwards. It was just enough to take the edge off my speed, but I was still going reasonably well. I did have a small hold up due to some loose sheep at Hollyhurst but they soon disappeared through a gateway as I followed them. After that it was pretty straightforward on the roads through Longnor, Ryton and Condover.
I decided to head over the hill again via Little Lyth to round up the climbing - it did also mean less time on the main road which I was glad of as it had got a bit more busy by now.
30.2 miles at 12.2 mph average. Strava tells me 2059 feet of climbing. It felt really good to get out and do a ride that wasn't a commute.
Crossing Lyth Hill at the start, it was still a little grey for the first few miles.
The sun had come out by the time I reached Habberley and it was a pleasant afternoon.
Looking towards the Wrekin from the top of the Pease Lane climb.
I've taken photos before at this pool between Picklescott and Smethcott but this time it was a bit of a surprise to find it mostly drained - it looks like it has been deepened using an excavator.
Seen at Leebotwood.
I'm sure you lot shouldn't be out here.
