Nice ride though weather was very grey with spots of rain when I set out from home; kept variable during ride with sun peaking through the clouds from time to time and brightening up later in the ride. One group to Lake View Fishery via Old Dalby and other places. Found myself in the front bunch on the way back where we seemed to up the pace feeling a bit like a medium ride, kept expecting a reprimand from Ed any minute! With no idea of the route it was strange having no idea to go left or right at junctions getting directions from riders behind. Nice to get back to East Bridgford (I always know where I am then). I am getting to know the first and last bits of the rides but always lose where I am in the middle (so most of the ride really), still don't think I could find one cafe yet (at least not without plotting it on my Garmin)! How many years does it take to learn these roads? Ah its probably just me; never been good at navigation!
So did 59.69 miles with an average of 15.1mph plus 15min turbo cool down.
It was nice to get a tail wind most of the way back. I felt very weak all the way round, but Michael was struggling even more. He went out the back at Car Colston, so I waited and rode in with him. Dick came by in his car, after a solo ride, and we stopped for a quick chat at Gunthorpe.
Finding your way around is helped if you can visualise a map of the area and picturing the actual roads in your mind. Following a Garmin (or a SatNav) means you don't learn these skills so easily. When I first started, we used to venture much further afield and I carried maps. I used to look at the maps at café stops and memorise the next section of route, but occasionally had to stop and consult the map - especially if we were venturing off road!
These days, if I am going somewhere new (cycling or driving), I look at maps in advance and often follow the route Google Earth Street View. For usual Club Runs, I just know the roads from 56 years club riding.