Last time I used the Raleigh I did a shorter ride than intended due to the wind, thinking there would be better weather later on in which to complete my Metric Century a Month qualifying ride. I'm slightly regretting that now so with today being the only day that looks possible for me I headed out to get some miles covered.
It was lovely
at the start but quite
(first ride in trousers since early spring for me). With rain forecast for later I went for a route I know well to keep stops to a minimum so headed over Lyth Hill and towards Westbury, Melverley, Oswestry, Ellesmere, Wem, Shawbury and back via Upton Magna and Condover.
Although the Met Office says the wind speed was only about 10 mph today it felt like more than that and I was quite slow on the run into Westbury where I was riding directly into the wind. Fortunately it was either a cross wind or a tail wind after that which was much better.
Being out earlyish on a Saturday meant quiet roads for the most part. There were a few other cyclists out (all quicker than me
) which was good to see, and quite a few horse riders too. I made good progress to Oswestry where a quick bite of cake was taken and continued through Gobowen onto the NCN route (mostly
) to Ellesmere. This is quite undulating but didn't seem too bad this time with the wind behind me. I almost took a wrong turn (got confused and was all set to go right instead of left at New Crickett).
No stop at Ellesmere this time as I wanted to press on to keep ahead of the weather - didn't work though as the first spots of rain fell while passing Coptiviney and it turned into a proper shower by the time I got to Welshampton. That one passed and I thought I'd got away with it but a further deluge arrived at Lyneal and I got drenched through before I could get to my waterproofs
so I thought I may as well just carry on.
I decided to stick with the B5063 all the way to Wem today (I usually branch off onto the lanes) and it paid off as with the wind helping I was able to cruise most of the way at around 17mph. There were signs of trouble though; I stood to climb one short sharp hill and the thighs just cramped up (probably due to getting wet earlier) forcing me to pull off the road. I got going again but it didn't feel great.
After Wem there is a hill to climb which I was really slow on but on the way down the other side was getting some good speed up. When a tractor & trailer overtook I was able to tuck into the slipstream and cruise at 30mph for a bit.
I learned that this is not a particularly good idea when the road is wet.
A pause for a bite to eat followed and I really struggled to get going again - the legs just did not want to play any more so progress for the rest of the ride was steady with quite a few stops. In addition to getting wet I may have pushed on too hard early in the ride.
Luckily I now know to go through Rodington Heath rather than following NCN45 to Upton Magna as it avoids two hills that I'd have struggled on today. The rest of the route was slow but steady and although more rain threatened, the worst of it held off until I was home and the bike was away.
73.9 miles today so the August metric century is covered. 13.4 mph average speed which I'm actually quite pleased with considering how slow I was from about 55 miles onwards.
"Not for swimming in. Only for dogs"
Seen on the way over Lyth Hill.
Looking back up at where I've been - Little Lyth.
The hills looked great in the sunshine this morning. Shame it didn't last.
Getting held up by a train near Halfway House. I think this is the first time I've ever had to stop at this crossing.
Crossing the canal at Hindford en route to Ellesmere.
Much later in the ride now and the Bank Holiday "rush" to the coast is underway. Come Monday and many of them will be stuck in jams going the other way.
A view of the Stretton Hills again but this time round the weather doesn't look so enticing.
Getting pretty wet over there and seems to be coming this way. It's just a couple of miles to home so the race is on!
!
