Of course starting late in September means finishing in the dark so off I went with lights a’flashing on the two hour score which this time would only be on the dense steep lane network that runs North West from Matlock towards Chesterfield, no tracks or paths.
My legs were a little tired and the full suspension bike not really the right tool for the job but I had a great time whizzing around the lanes, seeing parts of the Peak District the tourist would never see.
I tried to be clever with the navigation in the middle of the event, avoiding a load of climb but at present I am just not fit enough to pull off a routechoice like that so in the end a slightly disappointing result after a good start to the ride. Still, there were lovely views to the South as the darkness descended but soon as my legs began to tire the rain came out of nowhere and just chucked it down, leaving me feeling very soggy and cold at the finish, glad I didn’t have to find any more bits of red and white tape in the gloom.
The rain chucking it down and stopping for chips in Matlock Bath on the way home brought back memories of Slalom Canoe training in the Mid-noughties, happy days.