, I was happy to finish up with 84 miles, well over my 'birth year total'. Took me around 6-1/2 hours.To explain, each year in my dotage, I'm aiming to cover at least the number of miles of my age, on a lone ride. That meant 73 this year. I took over this concept from a good friend Bernard Thompson, a photographer par excellence of cycle racing, especially time trials. Sadly Bernard passed on, aged 83, in November 2007, to seek out Other Routes up Above.
It has been a good day weatherwise for those of now diminished pedal power. Moderate temperature, dry, above all with little wind, just a southwest breeze; the ideal direction for easing the return trip. I left about 8.45am, to follow, somewhat mundanely, the club run route to Newdigate. From there, through Rusper to Faygate, and straight over direction Colgate, though no bright smile from me when I hit the long climb there.
On then to Horsham. Must get PVT to post some direction-finding advice through his home town! Cutting unintentionally SE for a while on A281 bought the unexpected bonus of a nice cafe at a big garden centre. Mmmm, bacon and brie panini! After, I found some nice lanes through to Southwater, a name more usually connected with a noisy dual carriageway time trial turn point, but this village and lanes round it are very pleasant. Thence on for some Green village visits, to Dragon's Green (my own turnback point), Barns Green, Brooks Green (
Junior would have been somewhere near me, too!)I took to the A24 for a spell, easier on the legs, but glad to turn off from the traffic race at the Beare Green (another!) 10-course roundabout for Newdigate. I'd run out of drink and was near hallucinating; Bob's Store in this fair village was so welcome. As was a can of Red Bull, bottle of Oasis and Tracker bar, enjoyed relaxing awhile at the bus shelter seat opposite. Save your money on expensive energy food/drink - after this I felt very sprightly all way home, via Club route - Reigate - A23.
Heaven was then a warm foamy bath, big chicken meal, bottle of Theakston's Old Peculier ale (perhaps appropriate for me!), early night and Saturday lay-in. And no doubt stiff aching body for a time, but it was worth it!
