Proper, real, honest-to-goodness summer with dusty trails, deep grass, bright sunshine and long, warm evenings. I only had time for just over an hour of riding so I hauled myself up the steepest back-lane out of the village, up to the catchwater, round above Meltham, and down Wessenden as fast as possible, holding my teeth closed in a fixed grin to avoid inhaling mayflies. Hardly anyone else was out, just the odd dog-walker. Lots of birds, though, catching all the insects; I saw a couple of curlews and a pheasant.

I rode down the steps on the west side of Butterley dam for a change, they’re a bit less brutal than the set on the east and don’t have a steep flight at the bottom. The trick is relaxing into a rhythm, keeping your weight back, and not grabbing so much brake that your wheels start to slip or your forks dive.