6.05.25 117km/72 miles.

 ~o~

  Tuesday 6th 47F/8.3C. Early cloud clearing to provide wall to wall sunshine, again! NW breeze going more northerly. Peaking at 14-15C/57-59F after lunch.

 Up at 6.45 after a busy night at the fire bucket. 

 Stay at home and fiddle with the heap of timber from the observatory? Or escape to the lanes on my e-bike in the sunshine? Choose one. Walk first.

 8-8.45 My usual walk to the lanes. It was more leisurely than usual. Because I kept stopping to listen to the birds. Mostly warblers in all their variety of song. Though locating them visually by using their sound proved impossible. 

 9.30 I am topping up the bike batteries while I prepare the bike for a ride. To obtain maximum range if required. It's always good to have a fully charged battery on the way home. To ensure I can use Turbo on the climbs. As I tire from many hours of riding. On the trike I would return from a long ride with hardly enough strength to climb off. 

 The e-bike has freed me from the torture of complete exhaustion. Where the desire to lie down on the verge and sleep is a constant companion. My range hasn't really increased. I have certainly gained a higher average speed despite my rapidly increasing age. 

 The bike computer and GPS phone apps can give me incredible detail if I want it. Having accurate mapping is a revelation after guessing about my location and direction for many years on the trike. I had a paper map but never consulted it. Only recently, after cycling for 70 years do I take rests and remember to take food and drink. And, actually consume it while out on a ride. It sounds ridiculous but I would often prefer to keep riding rather than stop.  

  10.45 Finally ready.

 19.15 54F/12C. Returned from a 117km ride to Ringe, Årslev and Odense. I was touring the bike shops Odense. In the hope of finding some flat soled shoes for flat pedals. My lightest trainers hurt my toes. Too pointy and the soles are far too flexible.  It seems I need a Euro 46 but I can't be sure. I tried on some Giros in 45s and 47s and they were far too small and slightly too large. Nobody else had any stock at all. One of my favourite Odense cycle shops has closed down.

 I wore my Tactic bibs and was fairly comfortable until the last 50kms. I kept my Endura rain jacket on over a warm jumper all day. It seemed as if I was fighting an icy headwind for most of the ride. It was strong enough to ruffle the grass on the verge.

 I found two recycled jackets in charity shops. One a light cycling jacket in mid-blue. Brand new with shop labels but going for a fiver. It was marked XL but fitted me like a normal Medium. Which I thought might work on cooler summer days over my usual racing jerseys. The other is a lightweight, violet rain jacket. With a pair of  waterproof trousers. Thrown in for the same price.

 The first battery died on me at 10% charge at 78km in Odense. 78km is a good range from 100% at the start. 

 Dinner was poached eggs on toast. I have downed three glasses of water on top of a mug of coffee and one of tea since I came home. My headache suggests dehydration.

  

  ~o~