19/365: Winter Smiles

The first few miles are a challenge at this time of the year. Whether or not the sun is shining, the cold bites into the skin - just until the blood is circulating and the heart running apace. I'd plotted out a new route on bikehike.co.uk during the week, aiming for a 40km ride and planned to complete it yesterday afternoon. But the weather forecast for the weekend looked much better and so I enjoyed a gloriously sunny and relatively mild 1:36 on the bike.

Pictured is the church at Gt Oakley, at the southernmost point of the ride. A good place to stop for a quick snack and a drink before turning with the wind behind me for the last 8 miles home.