It has been really hot here for a few days (40 deg C/ 105 deg F plus). But the SO had to check some irrigation in a dates grove about half an hours drive away up a Big Hill. So he said "I'll go early and we can put the bike in the back of the pick-up and you can ride down". So at 6.15 am we left home. It was a lovely rural road - not especially well-maintained which was nice. All down hill and nice curves, some of which I was able to do "apex to apex" in a straight line (just like Richard Virenque). Finished down at the Bee-eaters nesting colony so watched them for a while and listened to their beautiful soft trilling calls (and their squawking chicks from the nest-holes in the sandstone bank). Half hour later he turned up to put the bike in the back and drive back home.
Fitness it wasn't , but such a lovely ride in the early morning air with birdsong and wildflowers (caper bush and a huge purple thistle).

I felt like the Queen of Sheba - totally spoiled *and* Richard Virenque on an Alpine descent *simultaneously*