When I set off this morning, distinctly grumpy around the edges, I didn’t really have a route in mind.  I’d rejected the normal loop – did that last week – and was considering the sea-side, to play spot the northerner.  As it turns out I did neither of those things, and just for fun and to take the grumpy edge off, I decided to start off with Shipham Hill.

It being hot and sunny, as someone has forgotten to point out to the weather gods that it is in fact April, I was in full summer garb.  I was already pretty warm at the bottom of the hill, and I was very warm by the time I reached top!  However it turns out I equalled my PB for getting from home to the top – 15:30 – so I guess that’s hardly surprising.  Last time I did that I was chasing GB, this time was on my own.  I’m quietly pleased about that.  Go me! 🙂

I decided a nice down would be good as a reward, and took the extra hit to go up to Tynings and Charterhouse so as to come down Burrington Coombe.  I had a fair amount of fun descending, especially as the car behind me remained at a correctly respectful distance behind me and didn’t menace me at all, leaving me free to do my best around the bends.  Yep – down was good.  And much cooler 🙂

From there I went through Langford to Wrington, wiggled out to Sandford, and took in some fast flat stuff to go around Puxton to Banwell.    In fact the route is here should you care.  I think it looks like K-9 but maybe it’s just me…  I took the High Street through Banwell and up past the Caves to get me over to Loxton, past the Webbington and home.  Which makes it all sound very fast and easy whereas actually it’s quite lumpy…honest!

Cycling time: 2:14:45
Distance: 32.74 miles
Avs: 14.5 mph
ODO: 7961 miles

Considering how well I was going I’m kinda disappointed with my average speed.  Fat chance of aiming for a Silver on Monday at that rate.  But then I shouldn’t be aiming at all – that’s GB‘s influence and it’s clearly dangerously infectious! 😉  I did however have a nice fairly relaxed ride in the sun, with a few more hills than might have been expected, but that weren’t a problem 🙂

Oh, and I’m not so grumpy now either *grin*.

In other news – today I have ordered DeFeet Speede socks, to cool my feet down and reduce tan lines.  I have also ordered some once a day application Riemann P20 sun cream.  Both things that were recommended in Cycling Plus and that seem like a good idea to me.  However, it will now be cold and windy for the foreseeable future… 😉