29th October THE WILD EDRIC (kilotogo.com)

(click to enlarge)
Up at 0500 to get to Bishopd castle for the start under grey skies with a chilling southerly wind.
Met up with Michiel and we were off. (No sign of Andy L.)
The first section was part of the LEJOG route until we headed off to climb the Long Mynd...from 550ft to 1600ft+ in only a hew miles. Initially steep the climb eased and it felt like Dartmoor up there with the heather & galloping ponies! Once over the top the descent was a truly white knuckle extreme experience with a severe drop to the left as we came down into Church Stratton. I had to stop to rest my forearms as the muscles locked up with the continued braking.

,,,,more to follow...

59m 4h24 @ ~14mph PASSED THE 2500m barrier for 2011!!

15th October...journey to the centre of...England!!

Set off early & headed west past Lutterworth & through Hinkley picking up the beautiful canal as I then turned South to visit Lindley hall Farm! Why may you well ask....well according to the Ordanance Survey this spot is the centre of England. There should be a tall 'hub' monument at the spot. Instead a rather rusty grubby sign and a poorly maintained concrete lane.
Retracing my route I then went up past the Bosworth Batthefield, Market Bosworth itself, and then up and over the Markham hill. The descent into Loughborough in uncharacteristic warm sunshine was fast & exciting. Soon I was on the train & home for a well earned lunch!
66m

9th October Kettering to Luton 59m

This route had been on my radar for a while so I was up at 0700 ready to set off...But winter is drawing in and it was pitch black & pissing down big time.
So I contemplated going back to bed but by 0730 the light was improving and clouds were clearing. Despite a fairly stiff, but warm, SW winnd I set off down past Northampton. Once through Horton I was into new cycle territory for me. Passed through Selsey forest & on over the M1 and down to the halfway point at Castlethorpe.
Here I joined Watling Street as it passed to the west of Milton Keynes. Here there were some other cyclists on a sportive & their company spurred me on. Finally turning eastward the wind became 'angels breath' on my R shoulder and I was able to pick up speed.
North of L.Buzzard I checked out Three Locks Golf course and it's added to my target list!
Once through that town I was along past Tisworth Golf centre. Played ther with my brother about 20years ago...the trees & bushes have inevitably grown up alot.
On into Luton arriving about 1140. 1207 train home & in shower by 1pm!
Really enjoyed the ride & checked out some new bits of good old England!
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/752428
58.9m 3h49m @ 15.4mph
Total for 2011 2356m should make 2500m this year hopefully

25th Sep CYCLE4CYNTHIA

Terrific ride starting at Althorpe House and encouraged by the Earl & his wife.
Heading north at good speed we found the second half quite tricky into the freshening southerly wind.
Michiel & I hoped to break the 3 hour barrier but the headwind defeated us...maybe next year we'll be 5 mins fatser!
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/595933
49.8m 3h05m @ 16.4mph