Great ride today, I rode up from Croydon and tagged on with Dave K for the longer then I expected ride up to Knockholt.
Started off with a good size bunch, Jim, George, Marek, Simon, Paul T plus a whole bunch more other at a good healthy pace. Probably a bit faster then I ought to have been going for a longer ride but hey its all good fun. Marek had to stop to tighten his seat but we carried on, through the first couple of check points no probs. We took a free ride behind a group of 6 Sydenham riders who made an excellent wind break. Great view in the sunshine over the forest.
Heading back I was starting to weaken wondering how long I could hang on to a wheel just as Marek and Tim came blasting past and the pace became unbarable. Into the last food stop, Simon and I carried on but I was starting to die panic eating and drinking on the climb of Ide Hill where I nearly stopped I was so tired. Eventually crawled up Star Hill to the finish about three and a half hours, very happy with that.
Now the excuses, going home I noticed a broken spoke and found the brake pad badly rubbing on the wheel, would only spin 3/4 of a turn. I heard it go on the ride up to the start but didnt check it before starting so I recon I made my life more difficult than necessay. I am now even happier with my time, maybe if I realised.... I wouldn't have been dropped.
Good job.
Stu & Paul where were you!