I managed to get get badly caught out on my Friday evening spin last week.

Due to a mixture of bad planning and disorganisation I ended up leaving the house about 20min later than planned and without hiviz or proper lights. My handlebar light has a decent constant mode but it was low on battery and almost failed before I got home with the last half hour on a setting too dim for comfort.

This week I was much better organised with the lights all fully charged and in place last night and all my gear left sitting ready to go when I got in from work.

I got away only 5min later than hoped and did the same route as last week which has very little traffic. With an unusually clear evening I was treated to great sunsets over the Bluestacks as well as an impressive moonrise over Castlederg.

It was a perfect night for cycling and I could have stayed out hours longer!

Over the last couple of weeks I feel like I’ve really got my cycling mojo back again. Last month I managed 235km. That’s not an awful lot but in context it’s my biggest month since November last year and by a long shot!

I’d set myself a target of 450/500km for September and so far I’m at 285km. I’m also feeling fitter and stronger and was pleased to set a distance record on Sunday from November last year and then to beat it on Wednesday 💪

Combine my extra mileage with two nights per week in the gym and I am now optimistic about my condition and fitness come the Spring 😊