28km in just over an hour. Due to a broken audax season, this was the first night riding I've done since (checks Bikejournal) my DNF'd ride home from Cornwall in June.
Up over Bradenham Hill - only a 60m or so gain, but it's a good climb for Norfolk. I'm puffing well by the time I get to the top. I'm getting my night vision back - and remembering just how good Solidlights are. I roll down "Hills and Holes" to the old A47 and turn left into Wendling. I wave towards chez Wafflycat as i pass through, then turn right and head North toward Longham. Crossing the (new) A47 over the bridge, I realise the cars passing below are the first moving vehicles I'm seen since leaving home almost 10km ago. Now I remember why I live round here!
The crickets are singing to me from the hedges as I roll along. It starts to rain, but not much. I can identify nearby towns by their orange glow against the clouds; Watton, Dereham, Fakenham, Swaffham...
I think this is Nutkin territory, I can't be sure, so I wave anyway, before turning left at Longham Hall towards Litcham. Here, the first car passes me since I left home - they slow to little more than 10mph faster than me, and leave loads of room. I cover my lights with my hand a couple of times to flash a thank you, and they dim their lights a couple of times in acknowledgment.
Two Muntjac deer are standing in the road near Litcham Common. They watch me pass, but don't seem that bothered by me. There's a dead adder in the road. The road climbs up here out of the Nar Valley, and it's a slog tonight against a stiff breeze. My dinner is knocking on the door at the back of my throat, so I ease off the pace so as not to leave my supper in the hedge - I've been pushing a 30km/hr average to this point, and I'm feeling it now.
Rolling through Lt Dunham, I bounce along one of the roughest roads I know round here, before reaching a much smoother section down to the A47 at Necton. A short hop and a skip, and I'm back home, ready for a cuppa and bed.
An excellent ride - beats the TV any night!