11°C, brisk SW, low sun & bright

Frequent but easy rides this week. It’s half term & I’m pretty free to choose when to go. The early sunsets are very apparent. I checked there was plenty of charge in the lights this time.

It’s almost November and conditions are good for the summer bike. Remarkable.

17°C, growing S wind, dry though.

This van obviously dropped a wheel off the tarmac which drops away to ditches on both sides. The driver was still sitting inside, perhaps waiting for rescue.

Further on, I stopped an artic coming out of a farm who looked like he was turning towards the van. I warned him off that route and then rode off. A car pulled up and they told me the lorry had  turned down towards the stranded van. We laughed, imagining the inevitable foul up. Oh dear.

22°C, light W 10mph, strong sun.

I chose this route partly to find the actual gradient. My GPS Speedo does report gradients (along with other stuff like temperature). After riding up this hill for 15 years, I finally know its gradient.

I’ve had an excellent cycling week. As you can see, my weekly target was met.

The first number is my record and the second – my target. 162.4 km is set because it’s 100 miles.

21°C, sunny with light W.

August roads are very quiet until home time.  This is the best time of year to ride; warm, dry & empty roads. I had the energy to ride up Bannister Hill which was comfortable. However; later on, bad behaviour from divers was encountered. Firstly with repeated horn blasts from one and later a dangerous close pass on a bridge from another.

22°C, sunny with a light breeze but humid.

I’ve been out for rides 4 times in the last 3 days. It’s going well, especially compared with a few months ago

This means my legs are ready for the summer holidays (which officially starts today).

18°C, moderate westerly & little cloud.

This ride felt like it should. For weeks, it felt like I was forcing myself to go. Today though, I rolled along smoothly and didn’t tire excessively.

18°C, light NW, bright sun & dry.

Bees: On the return leg was green lane, a single-track with no hedges and exposed to the strong wind. These roads are elevated slightly which makes the wind worse. Anyway, suddenly, I was in the middle of a swarm of bees. There were about 50 of them, heading south. They’re a problem if trapped in your clothes, that’s when they’ll sting. I could feel them bouncing off my jersey but none were trapped. I got away with it.