It's been 3 weeks since my last ride, apart from one very short one on 28th December which was aborted due to a faulty switch on my ebike. (now repaired)
We have just experienced several days of icy conditions, and I have stayed indoors, or done a couple of walks with friends.
Even though it's Sunday, today's ride didn't warrant using the ebike. It was COLD, & we opted to stay local. Better to put more effort in with the gravel bike, rather than let the ebike do the work. We held on till 11am, when the forecast was supposed to be 2-3degreees, but it was unfortunately still sub zero. 😨 We went anyway, since the road surfaces looked fine, as going a bit stir crazy at home. (John been out twice but I was worried about ice.)
I had thought of taking my drone, then at the last minute decided too cold to take my gloves off, so that's for another day. Still not taken it on a bike ride. And only one photo today for the same reason.
We went out via Cantley motorways, and left into Hurst Lane, where I spotted these sheep. Very amusing. They are enjoying the heat from the pile of compost.
I had warmed up nicely as we peddled through Twyford to Charvil and Sonning. The roads were fine, but huge slabs of ice alongside the road from Sonning to Playhatch. We were doing 11.8 mph average, which dropped as we climbed Dundsen Hill of course, but I was pleasantly surprised how I climbed having not been on my bike for weeks.
We were heading for The Bottle & Glass Barn, and opted to take a left initially passing Loddon Brewery. A few icy patches on the lanes here, but not across the whole road, so it was fine.
A busy time at the Barn by the time we arrived shortly after 12, and lots of dog walkers too.
It was coooold as we dropped back down Dunsden Hill, and by the time we reached Sonning again, my fingers were freezing. The rest of me was fine. The climb out of Sonning was welcome to warm me up again. Our return was via Woodley and Sandford Lane. Again, the lane was fine, but lots of ice on the flooded areas. The worst ice we saw on the roads was shortly after Sandford Lane, as we rode on Little Hill Road.
So, 2025 cycling has finally started. Out again tomorrow with the "Monday" club, when it's supposed to reach a balmy 4 degrees. Hope so!