The hill behind the village

There was a headwind for the whole second half, so I stopped looking at the speed. The descent on the far side is narrow, with one blind corner that I always take too carefully.

I left before the town woke up, which is the only way to have the road to yourself. My legs were fine; it was my hands that complained by the end. I got home with the lights on, later than I had promised.

The saddle needed a few millimetres of adjustment and then it disappeared, as a good one should. Nothing about this route is remarkable, which is exactly why I like it. Wider tyres at lower pressure changed the bike more than any other part I have bought.

The climb is not steep, but it goes on for longer than the map suggests. I carry two tubes, a pump and a small multitool, and so far that has always been enough.