Cycling in the rain

66 km today in the rain. Over Burton Dasset and Edge hill. Climbing Edge Hill with my cycle computer for the first time showed me that as I crested the hill I was moving at a fantastic 6kph. That'll be walking pace for an old man with a zimmer frame. Well, I suppose at least I did it. I stopped at the top, as I like to do, in the garden of the Castle Inn. Built from local stone as a round tower in 1742 to mark the centenary of the Battle of Edgehill. A wooden drawbridge links the 70ft tower with a smaller square tower. Good views out over the Civil War battle site allow me to sit in isolation staring out imagining another time. What must it have been like to fight in those battles? How terrifying? Was there glory to be had? A light drizzle but good visibility created a good melancholy atmosphere for quiet contemplation whilst I munched an energy bar. The battle field is said to be haunted.

Anyhow, five minutes rest saw me off down the hill, with my brakes on (because of the rain and my soft sensibility) I still hit 64kph going down Sun Rising Lane. A real blast.

Not much else to say, a pleasant ride over Loxley, stopped to admire the view of Stratford from the top whilst munching a banana. I can feel myself getting stronger but whether I can do 12 days of 100 miles remains to be seen.

Good news when I got home; raffle ticket sales have passed the £1000 barrier, which was my target. I've now hit my original fund raising target of £2500. So I'll raise the target to keep me focused. The raffle draw is tomorrow,, I'll post the results here.

Spent a pleasant afternoon shopping in Leamington en famille. I love my life.