28.03.2025 98km/61 miles.

 ~o~

 Friday 28th 41F/5C. Bright sunshine is promised all day. Light southerly winds going westwards later. The hedges are already rocking. Which makes no sense.

 Up at 6.30 after a busy night tending the fire bucket. Vivid dreams. I presume one or more of my heart medications is having some effect.

 A mild, sunny day strongly suggests I go for a proper ride. Both batteries are fully charged. I need a change of scenery. But where to go? I had better have a look at the map.

 Nearly 9am. I have been preparing more patiently than usual. Lunch rolls and thermos packed. Spare clothes for warmer conditions later. Or warmer clothes if I become cold. Heading east. Possibly Ringe and the old railway, cycle path. Which I always enjoy. Lovely countryside by any route. 

 16.00 Returned from a  ride to Ringe, returning via Korinth. After riding the cycle path between the two towns. For a total distance of 98.2km. In a very wobbly triangle on the map. There was, or felt like, a headwind all day. Bright sunshine, but the wind made it feel much cooler. Only a single e-cyclist and two pedestrians were on the cycle path. I was averaging 30kph on the outwards leg. Only a little over 20kph on the return. With a fresh battery change ensuring plenty of reserve. To allow generous use of Turbo mode. To help me get over the hills as I tired.

 I dropped in on my English friend. As I was passing his door on the way home. It was good to have a rest for a while. I suffered from frequent saddle discomfort. Not soreness from friction. Despite wearing my obscenely expensive Assos bibs. [Padded racing shorts with wide, stretchy braces] Taking short breaks seemed to help. 

 I ate the cheese roll at 11am and the jam roll at 12.00. Several Corny sub-micro bars were consumed later in the ride. The seemingly tiny, 500ml Thermos flask was more than adequate. To supply a small cup of black coffee to go with a chocolate bar or roll. I even had some coffee left to enjoy after dinner. Still piping hot after many hours. My coffee mugs at home hold 300ml. So, the Thermos holds not quite two whole mugs worth.

 The tiny cup actually suited my needs perfectly. No waiting for ages for it to cool down. Nor excessive quantities causing indigestion or fullness. Nor needing to stop more than is usually required.  My only complaint was the lack of flat surfaces. On which to perch the cup while I chewed a Corny bar. In retrospect I could have used the asphalt on the quiet roads I used. I tended  to look out for benches but there were very few to be found.

 16.30 The greenhouse door is opened to warm the house. 70F/21C indoors. I am going to have a 40 minute nap to recover.

 Dinner was organic sausage, mushrooms, two free range eggs and boiled potatoes.

 

  ~o~