Went for a ride this evening, all of it along tracks I’ve ridden many many times - but tonight it was dark. I was on the 24 (with 102s) and relying on a head torch for illumination.
First leg of the ride was mostly tarmac, with a short section (1/2 mile?) of rough farm track. No significant hills, but a couple of gates to go through, and a busy road to cross. 4.96 miles in 36 minutes = an average speed of 8.27 mph, and given the conditions, this suggests with practice that 9 - 10 mph averages could be possible in ideal conditions.
Then a sticky section in the pitch dark on barely visible footpaths across tussocky grass, garnished with cow pats. Many UPDs and slips here, and the speed went right down. Nice to see herons ghosting over the surface of the river, and to experience the solitude of riding after the little circle of light on the ground, with no one else in sight or earshot. A perfect antidote to a lousy day in the office.
Then a few miles of country lane, and a long path next to a busy road. Finally, through a large village, with plenty of jocularity from the local youths (‘Fall off!’ was one of the funniest comments) and back along the river bank to the car. On this long straight section of tarmac, I was temporarily confused when the road surface was ‘flattened out’ by the lights of a car approaching from behind. I steered towards a smooth dark bit of road out of the car’s way, only to disappear up to ankle depth into a cold muddy puddle. Car driver hoots in derision, I lose my temper. By now I’ve been riding for nearly two hours without a break of more than about 30 seconds, and UPDs are starting to creep in.
All this on a Nimbus I 24 with a slightly knobbly £10 Halfords tyre.
Total time riding: 1:52:36 (about 2:05 ‘real time’ including stops).
Total distance - a disappointing 13.25 miles (my guesstimate was 15 - 17!) making a respectable average of 7.02 mph.
And all this without ever ‘going for it’ as I have a sprained wrist and didn’t dare risk a ballistic UPD. Top speed recorded at 10 mph (no decimal fraction available, so could be 10.9999;) )
There’s much to recommend a 24 as an all rounder.
Is that just a leisurely ride?