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Drano
Completed the Isle of Wight loop yesterday, the biggest ride I've done solo and in ridiculously heavy rain all day. Some parts were total agony but it was amazing to complete the loop and I'm still buzzing off it. I really enjoyed the sound of rain pattering off my helmet all day long. It wasn't as offroady in parts as I'd been let to believe, but I was glad to have chunky tyres given all the debris that had been washed into the road.
Highs: The peace and quiet - I've had a couple of troubles lately and despite some of the difficulties encountered / feeling nervous about going it alone I genuinely feel like the ride did me a world of good. Riding through lots of big puddles and flooded roads - enjoying the little wake forming behind me, sea views, countryside, wildlife and quirky architecture.
Lows: 'Waterproof' shoes failing - feeling water slosh back and forward with every pedal stroke and having to stop and tip it out every so often. Falling into an enormous pothole hidden by an even more enormous puddle just when I was at my most exhausted and grumpy. With an almighty bang the impact buckled my front wheel and immediately evacuated all of the air in my 2.10 tyre - luckily I was able to sort it out and wobble on until finishing.