I had planned one of my (infrequent) commutes to work (it is 26 miles each way, after all – with an ascent of the North Downs at the end) so, when I found out that it was cycle to work day, I had no excuse.
The weather sort of cooperated and, following the first wet muddy night ride of the autumn, I awoke to find the roads still damp from the overnight rain.
Early morning rides are ace, as you have that certain smugness which comes from knowing you’ve got up early enough to have the roads pretty much to yourself.
Just as it was getting light, I flushed an owl off his perch at the side of a quiet lane, and he rewarded my efforts by flying alongside me for a while (you don’t get that on the motorway)
The other bonuses of the day was that I found an alternative route that avoided a hill and a wait to turn right, and that quite a few of the roads on my route have been resurfaced with ultra smooth tarmac – yippee!
Just wish I worked nearer, so I could do it more often.