Cor, that was a struggle!
I'm still not well, but need to do some end-of-financial-year-type-stuff. So, with a raging temprerature and a chest infection, I set off into a visibly polluted Great Wen.
Because of gear cable issues, I couldn't use my tourer, so rejigged my fixed slightly and rode that.
When I came to the first difficult roundabout, I dismounted and crossed as a ped rather than duel with mad drivers. I took this as a signal that I should not be attempting Stockwell, Oval or Elephant & Castle, all of which feel like rehearsals for Ben Hur. So, at Clapham Common, I turned off and took the back way through.
I wasn't slow, I was surprised to find, but did just want to collapse in a heap when I got to work, utterly sweaty with the heat, the fever, and the effort.
I did enjoy the ride, I suppose, but I worked for the privilege.