Moretaine and Bricks 200km yesterday (B&M reversed) - surprisingly good that way round, as I noticed lots of things I missed on several trips round the normal way, both researching the route and as early lockdown jaunts. Headwind all the way out to the Vale of Marston and a good tailwind back, with the pleasure of descending Pulloxhill at speed and a decent climb up the chalk escarpment from Hexton. 'Maggot Hill' (London Lane) was another cracking fast descent, from the Greensand ridge this time - normally a bit of a grind past the notoriously smelly farm.
Perhaps with the novelty of the reversal of the route, (but not having to think about navigation), I seemed to notice the great variety of brickwork, especially the elaborate polychrome chequerboard patterns in 'Brickworks Country', on even quite modest cottages. I like this route, not least because it takes in some decent hills with great views. Worth mentioning again is the distant view of Ravensburgh Castle Iron Age hill fort on the Chilterns, from near Langford. I added some more Tomsk Bonus Kilometres by going via Hatfield Forest and Great Canfield to avoid the B1265 through Takeley on the last stage.
One light shower near Braintree early on, with a smashing sunrise and rainbow to follow. Showers threatened later, but never happened.
