Miles today: 69
Miles so far: 105
Here are my hosts who provided good food and a comfortable bed
After breakfast at the Bamber's it was supposed to have been an early start! However, my 7:45 became about an 8 o'clock start; and almost 2 miles later, I realised how cold it was as I had left a pair of winter shorts in the bedroom (shorts which I should have been wearing on top of my long cycling trousers).
By the time I had returned and retrieved them it had become an 8:30 start.
The car windscreens were frosty. The thermometer said 3 degrees, but the sun was shining. I wore my long-sleeved gloves (as opposed to the usual fingerless variety).
My target of 40 miles on the clock by 1pm was missed and it soon became obvious that arriving at my destination before dusk was going to be tight.
Then, a mini-panic: why did my steering feel odd? It felt like something was loose. I checked everything. All ok. Tried again. Straight line ok but corners felt odd. Turns out my front tyre had a small puncture and was about 30% pressure. I decided to try pumping it up before going for the full change. The good news is it reinflated and I was off again. The bad news - for about 20 minutes before it was low again.
By this time the rain had started and I definitely didn't fancy a repair. In the end, I blew up the tyre at least six times and got to my destination where a proper repair can be done tomorrow.
Under the shelter of an oak tree, I changed into my waterproof jacket and added waterproof over trousers. By now it was torrential rain.
There's a saying in Germany:
"There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing"
Once appropriately dressed I continued. By now with zero chance of making it for 4:30. With another couple of top-ups to the tyre, I arrived at 205 Hoyles Lane at 5:10. It was pitch black. I was a bit wet. But an hour later all was well. Clean and dry. No cycling tomorrow, so a chance to repair or replace my innertube.
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