Tour of the Hills 19th

[Hal]

I have entered the Tour of the (Surrey) Hills Audax this Sunday and wondered if anyone else is going along. I though it started at Box Hill but it is over at Shere so a bit of a longer ride in than anticipated. I'm planning on arriving at about 9:30 and mooching around till I see some people that look like they know where they are going/are not going to make too many tea and cake stops.

May see you there (sadly I won't be on the club run as a consequence. )

[huw williams]

See you on the line mister

[Hal]

After a great night in the pub celebrating a friends birthday with more than a couple of beers, I woke to the sound of gentle drizzle and the idea of riding over to Shere was not apealing. So I went back to sleep.

Then I woke up again and decided to drive to the start, to save time and energy.

Started out on the 110km route with some guys who were talking about going for sub 4 hours, but the conditions were wet and the roads covered with debris. We plowed on up and down left and right at a very healthy pace. One of the chaps was very strong but didn't know where he was going so had to wait for me at the top of the climbs. In the end there were 3 of us left but as we hit Whitedown I really hit the wall and got dropped big time.

I was stuffing my face with gel, fruit bars, energy bars, drinks to make it back to Shere. Then I met the strong guy who had stopped with a puncture, I lent him my map as he was not familure with the route and continued. Then the last checkpoint and they told me that I was second on the road. Then I met the other guy who had also punctured so I stopped and gave him my tyre leavers. Now I was first on the road with Lady luck riding sling shot. Arrived very muddy into an empty village hall in 4hrs 9 mins (2 slower than the course record!).

An excellent day with gold standard food provided at the finish.

[Andrew G]

Great ride Hal. A gentleman on the road, and a winner in the HQ.

(Did you have mudguards on, I though this was an official Audax event requirement or have they dropped this?)

[huw williams]

Well done Hal - sorry couldn't make it - got ill on saturday and couldn't breath - I was in the group of three that did 4.07 a couple of years back and have been determined to go under 4 hours before I die - no way its possible in the wet though

[Stu Merckx Man]

wow thats brilliant hal, well done!

[Toks]

Excellent ride mate