Quite why there were so many cars intent on double overtaking me I have no idea! By that I mean a car overtaking me while another car overtakes it. Happened three times. Shocker. I never liked that stretch of the A361…
This was the first long route I did all those months ago on my MTB, and then on Steve’s racer. I remember doing this ride and having to go to the pub with my wife and inlaws right afterwards and feeling decidedly knackered. Its a good indication of my increased fitness that I can now do the 40 miles without any trouble at all, and with a good average speed too (17mph without the break!). Here is the route:
Another lovely day, so I had to get back out on the road to stretch the legs. With a short 30 ish mile route round and about to Beckington and back I set off. The bike is now pretty much exactly as it will be for the JOGLE – so its great to know that I’m getting some really genuine practise in now. Had a bit of a hairy moment: going fairly quick down a very narrow single lane, taking some water, thinking how stuffed I would be if a wide car came around the corner when BAM there was a massive tractor steaming towards me. Only just had enough time to cage the bottle, and get on the brakes. Damn tractor didn’t slow down and I had to press myself into the bank not to end up under one of his massive wheels. Fun fun.
I took a few more photos than normal – its odd that I have never seen Nunney castle despite it being only a couple of miles off my Southampton commute! Its also amazing how just a tiny amount of wind can really slow you down on the roads. It was definately against me today, and I’m beginning to get a good picture of the overall average I should expect for the JOGLE, wind, small roads and hills included! Here was the route:
Natasha went horse riding this morning so I planned a route on EveryTrail and set off. Before I went I made a change to the bike kit setup – rather than opting for my camelback (its like a rucksack) to hold everything (i.e. MTB style) I went for the roadie style setup of water bottles in cages on the bike and a small saddle bag and food in the back pockets of my cycling top. I was a bit dubious about the food position but it worked out perfectly. I was aware the single bottle I had wouldn’t be enough but planned to stop by a garage to top it up half way through. More things to add to the shopping list: another bike bottle and cage and a new saddle bag, new waterproof and a small lock. There was no chance of taking my existing lock with me so I just hoped that there wouldn’t be any dodgy youths around if I had to pop into a shop.
I planned a 45 mile route south through Castle Cary, and then east to Wincanton and up through Bruton, back to Nunney and home. As it turned out, I felt fine after around 35 miles and decided to extend it further. After topping up the water at a garage I cycled east to Frome, then hit the A36 up to Norton St Philip and back through Faulkland and Stratton on the Fosse. A total of about 60 miles. Not bad. The section of A303 is not to be recommended as the left side of the carriageways is covered in stones. Plus cars flying by at 80 mph is never a happy feeling. I’ll try and avoid dual carriageways on the JOGLE. Slightly worryingly short of breath after Norton St Philip, despite having many more miles left in the legs – I’ll have to watch out of that in the future. Took about 1 hour for the breath-shortness to go once I came back.
I am typing this having given up on the England game, which was (is) pathetic. Here is the route I took: