It’s getting increasingly hard to get out on the bike.  The weather has definitely changed for the worse, and it’s been nothing but rain and wind all week.   Well, today it was predicted to be just wind, so after I cajoled for a bit, Dad agreed to come out with me, carpe diem, and get some training in.  As the Cheddar Cyclosportive gets ever close, we decided to do some of the route ’round here and do the odd hill too.

So, off out into the quite considerable wind.  Hey – at least it was sunny.  We went out via Winscombe Hill (where I still didn’t like the down), along the back road to Loxton, along the levels to nearly Mark, and then off to the challenge of the day – going up Brent Knoll using the Cyclosportive route.  To be fair, it wasn’t as bad as I’d remembered it, and Dad wasn’t too dismayed by it either.  (Same cannot be said for High Ham which we plan on doing beforehand too if we can).  We slogged up it and the views from the top were pretty impressive, so it was almost worth the work!  *grin*.  Maybe it’s just better when you haven’t been dropped, and are left doing your tortoise impressions as the others hare off?  It’s amazing what a difference mental attitude can make to a hill you know…

Then it was back through Lympsham, over Bleadon Hill, over the Webbington Hill and home.  Just as we reached Bleadon the wind was finally behind us, and it was suddenly quiet and fast and lovely 🙂

Cycling time: 1:54:06
Distance: 26.3 miles
Avs: 13.8 mph
ODO: 1750! miles

The speed is mainly down to the strong headwind that hampered us for most of the way.  That’s when it was trying to blow us off from the side of course!  It was nice to be back out on the bike, getting some sun and fresh air – I think such occasions are going to be harder to find from here on in!   I was happier on the winter tyres, and improved a little on my downhill – though not much.  Irritatingly my knee was twinging a bit half way ’round, but it seemed to go away again.  More practice to be done methinks!