Saving the price of a stamp.

I needed to collect a signed document from my brother.
He could have put it in the post, but why miss a training opportunity?
So choosing the windiest and rainiest day of the year so far, I decided that it would be a good opportunity to test my wet weather gear.

Well at least I was right about something; it did test my wet weather gear, some of it to the point of failure!

The outward journey was 56 miles in 4 hours, again about 13 miles an hour, which is slow. It was not too hilly, but I have decided that I do not like cycling in the wind. The route went right past Didcot power station, and over the Thames at Henley. I saw 6 red kites, they are so common in some areas now. I remember they were first released in Wales and they were something special.
When I arrived at Andrew's I was mostly dry, the beanie hat under my helmet kept my head dry and warm, my tops were all fine, and my legs were dry from the leggings, just my feet were soaked. The over shoes I had were windproof not what I needed, waterproof.

I had about a half our stop, with a welcome hot chocolate, a couple of boiled eggs and a bar of milk chocolate. The eggs had been in the inside pocket of my pannier, and were very bashed, much more than I expected, not somewhere to put delicate electronics.

The journey back felt quicker, but was also 56 miles and again took the same 4 hours, with only one slight detour from taking a right turn too early, (I'm glad Ray is doing the route for LeJoG). The journey back was not as wet, and I had great vies of an army helicopter, I'm not sure what type it was, it looked like a modern Puma. I also saw Hercules' doing touch and goes at Fairford, but that was later.

I used a small flask of Mum's that she had used when walking, it fits fairly neatly into a standard water bottle carrier on the bike, and with some green tea in it, it is really great. I did get some smiles from drivers when I was stopped at the side of the road. I just need to add a little pipe lagging to the holder to stop it rattling.

I was pleased with the glove arrangement, which was thin cotton gloves that I use for running, under normal padded cycling gloves, best of both worlds.

At about the 90 mile point I did start to deal tired, and kept a look out for a convenient shop in which to buy a mars bar, but I passed nothing easy. So when I got home I was ravenous.

I am glad that I have got through the 100 mile point, but it did take a long time.

Cheers
Paul

Riding the length of the UK, so you don't have to. ;)