Hilly 50 - 5th March (this Saturday)

[Amy]

Marcus, I can only assume you didn't make it or else you were so slow you never caught us up!

As Keith said on another post - brrrrrrr Temperature seemed to fluctuate - mostly warmer when the sun was out but waiting at Ryka's it was flippin' freezing so gave up on Marcus and got started. Soon warmed up on the first climb up to Ranmore. Norwood Paragon were out in force but I only saw Phil, Mr Pringle and one other at the start, someone else caught us up on the climb up the lower slopes of Leith Hill - but only Phil and I were in club kit

Phil had persuaded a mate of his, Matthew, down from Sheffield to ride it - he rode it on fixed - 55 inch gear apparently. Phil and I waited on the up hills - and the down hills... but he got round. Phil, how's Matthew feeling?

I won't bore you with the route but it's a lovely one - some really lovely little lanes. We need to get out in them more often - I hope to introduce some of you to them on the Sunday rides. We have in the past ridden the Hilly 50 route later in the summer - hope to get some takers for that later in the year

Now I ache - I did badminton on Thursday for the first time in a few years and I seemed to feel the full effects of it this morning... So I was quite glad to be taking it easy today waiting for Matthew.

Thanks for the company, Phil and Matthew - and well done, Matthew for getting round it on fixed

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Hi Amy

Sounds like fun - and definitely something we ought to do with the club. took us ( a huge gang of Agreeables) on the hilly 50 in the summer about three years ago - you were there I seem to remember - really enjoyed it. Let's start planning.

Cheers

Jon

[Phil H]

There are some great roads out that way. The bit of the Hilly 50 route that seems a bit awkward is going through the middle of Dorking. Unclear how to avoid that though.

That an all the uphill bits. Garmin tells me 3,930 feet of climbing - about 1,200m.

[Marcus]

Had a mechanical just after leaving home and did not have time to repair it and make the start. Maybe next time we will have some form of communication so you won't have to wait in the cold Amy.

Think I've mended the rear mech, won't find out 'till tomorrow

Sorry I missed it

[Amy]

[quote="Marcus"]Had a mechanical just after leaving home and did not have time to repair it and make the start. Maybe next time we will have some form of communication so you won't have to wait in the cold Amy.

[Phil H]

There does seem to be some dickish driving around at the moment. Must be spring and a young man's mind turns to mush. I was annoyed about having to put a foot down on Sheephouse Lane after that car sent me off course - ruining and otherwise clean sheet. Hard to get going again on a 20%+ gradient.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

[quote="Phil Hawkes"]There does seem to be some dickish driving around at the moment. Must be spring and a young man's mind turns to mush. I was annoyed about having to put a foot down on Sheephouse Lane after that car sent me off course - ruining and otherwise clean sheet. Hard to get going again on a 20%+ gradient.

[quote="Jon C C on a Bianchi"][quote="Phil Hawkes"]There does seem to be some dickish driving around at the moment. Must be spring and a young man's mind turns to mush. I was annoyed about having to put a foot down on Sheephouse Lane after that car sent me off course - ruining and otherwise clean sheet. Hard to get going again on a 20%+ gradient.

[Amy]

But, Phil, you did get going again - quite amusing watching you balance against the bank, thought you were going to push yourself over the other way. I was trying to push up the hill but had to stop because I'd've gone into the car.

Yes, I'd've liked to have caught up with the other driver too - like the other one last week, I could've reached out easily and rapped on the side of the car but being tired I don't think it would've been a good idea. Funny, after I screamed "what the f...?" at the back of it, most of the cars behind gave me a wider berth...

Did pass a roadie walking up White Down who claimed that after 65 miles it was one hill too many. Didn't have time to tell him that I've done 60 odd miles and still ridden up that hill - and as a child on my old 1960s Wren too

[Marcus]

[quote="Amy"]Excuses, excuses - could've ridden it with two gears at least - after all a couple rode it with just the one But we did lament we didn't have your mobile and then dismissed that as you probably wouldn't hear it in a back pocket... Never mind, there's always next year - or later in the year...