CTC Ride E Grinstead this Sunday

[Alan M]

I think Marek was asking if you can register on the line - I beleive so --

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3692

[Alan M]

Challenge Yourself

The last CTC Challenge Ride of the season takes place on Sunday, so you still have time to get involved - you’re welcome to register on the day. The Southern Challenge starting in East Grinstead offers a range of routes 150km, 115km and 80km around the Ashdown Forest and follows roads used by Le Tour en Angleterre and the Pru Tour. The CTC Challenge series raise funds for CTC Charitable Trust.

[Marek]

Well, it certainly was a challenge. 150km with 2,500 metres of climbing. It was relentless climbing all day, I don't think there was even one flat section where you could get going for a few km, well not that I can remember. I started off too fast as ever. We wittled down the reasonable start group to four of us. Two guys from Sussex Nomads and one guy from Redhill CC. Then at the top of THE WALL, a climb entering Ashdown Forest, which yes is like a WALL, another Sussex Nomads rider joined us.

For the first 3.5 hours I was barely hanging on with this group. About 2.5 hours into the ride the guy from Redhill decided to go at his own pace, good idea. I decided to try and stay with the faster guys. We then stopped for some drinks and the guy from Redhill went past us. We then carried on and another hour into the ride and I had to let the other guys go, they were still setting a good pace up the hills and my legs were starting to really feel it.

I eased off and was on my own for a bit. Then another couple of riders caught me up, I sat with them for a while but then I started to get pains in my feet so I stopped for a break and took my shoes off for five minutes and felt much better.

With 20km to go I thought that it would get easier but I started to get cramps and had to hold back a bit on some of the climbs. I hit dormansland with 5 minutes to spare to get under the 6 hour mark. This gave me an adrenaline rush and I managed to get my speed up. I came over the line in exactly 5.59.59 seconds.

Even though I started out a bit too fast I really enjoyed it, the roads we went through are all reasonably close to where I live so I now have some good ideas for future routes. Can hardly walk now and not looking forward to the 5 minute bike ride to the station in the morning.

Quite a good ride but shame there were not more riders, seemed like it was very undersubscribed which really surprised me. Some of the roads on this ride were a bit dodgy, very narrow. At one point I had to cycle on the grass verge going up a hill because a horse box was coming down a single track the other way. Also a few hairy moments with cars coming quite quick around the corners.

Cheers

Marek....

[Alan M]

Mmmmm.... I am afraid that I opted for a restful day in the garden and now feel attacked by guilt 'cos I had thought I might do the 100K but got home from drinks quite late and couldn't be ..... to drive to East Grinstead. Still maybe one for next year - I always feel more motivated if there is a group of us. Well done for the time which was as close as it gets - maybe you'll get a CTC shirt!!!