Yesterday, for the first time in what seems like ages, it was just me, my bike and, due to the fact that the sun was shining, my shadow.  I wasn’t in the best of moods when I set off, and unusually I didn’t feel completely better by the time I got back.  A bit better is better than not better at all though.

Considering that, as I said, the sun was shining, and the wind, though not absent, was better than on Wednesday, it would have been foolish not to go riding, as days like that are going to be few and far between from here on in.   Which would be why I popped by Aldi on Thursday morning and picked up thermal base layers and winter socks.  All I need now are some new long tights and I’m set…well, as ready to freeze my a*re off as I’ll ever be anyway!

I did my usual kind of loop, stretched to include the nice little back road to Loxton, and the wiggle back via Nyland Hill and the back of Cheddar.  It was uneventful.  Which in many ways is the best kind of riding.

I’m still trying to work on my cornering and my downhill (lack of) ability.  If I lean further forward and into corners I seem to feel a bit better about them.  It’s so frustrating.  I’d be so much happier if I knew nothing was coming the other way, as so many times yesterday I was just getting the hang of things only to be interrupted by someone inconsiderately coming towards me.  It’s no wonder I’m (over) cautious!  The light at this time of year makes it harder too – all that low shadow dappling everywhere potentially hides a multitude of sins – potholes, debris, and so on.  I should, as my mob tell me, “chillax”… but that’s easier said that done.

I’m surprised my average speed wasn’t faster as I was going pretty fast most of the time and it wasn’t all that hilly.  Certainly, across the Levels from Mark, I was flying along at well over 20mph, with the sun on my face, the wind at my back…ah, if only it was always like that 🙂  Sadly my knee was NOT having a happy day, but hey, at least my shoulder pain didn’t come along for the ride 😉

Cycling time: 2:09:50
Distance: 33.59 miles
Avs: 15.5 mph
ODO: 5904

Tomorrow is the Cheddar Cyclosportive which I was looking forward to but, since I’ve spent the rest of the weekend feeling like a piece of limp spaghetti, I’m not so sure now.  I’ve got no energy at all, and even hubby commented that I was looking rather pale which, considering his observational skills, is telling…  Ah well, I’ve taken my echinacea, plan on an early night, and hopefully by tomorrow morning I’ll be raring to go.  *fingers crossed* 🙂