Thanks to John, Tim and everybody else that had a hand in organising the day. Great fun. Is this an annual event?
First part of the ride through Turners Hill spent in Jim's group (about eight of us) cracking out a killer pace - as you say, John, the man's an inspiration. 80!!! Blimey!
Haywards Heath - Sam got the coffee and hot chocolate while I minded the bikes. Sam last in a very long queue. Scolding hot and absolutely impossible to drink!!! I popped over the road to get some water, and next minute Alex was telling us to move out. By the time I got back - waddling as fast as I could - everyone had gone bar Marco and a couple of the others.
Got on my bike and immediately shed my chain but not before some little Haywood Heathian oik had called me and my bike crusty!! Nearly got Sam to clock him one but thought better of it as we were rather conspicuous in our ACC dayglo yellow!! My hands were now covered in crap so smeared oil all over his face instead. (I wish)
Ditchling Beacon - although 10 minutes behind everyone else Sam and Marco set out to try and catch the rest of the group on the climb!! As I watched them head off Pantani-style into the distance I dropped into the granny ring (at times like this I love my triple), kept a steady temp, changed up for the corners - out of the saddle and then dropped down and continue to grind it out. Passed John 'the old un' and Michelle on the way up.
Got to say I found it relatively easy - the hardest part was avoiding the jam of support cars following Sam and Marco. Like riding the Giro!! Marco spent 20 minutes giving Sam tips on how to climb - Sam repaid him by beating him to the top - precocious 13-year-olds don't you just hate 'em!!
Haddock and chips was delicious.
Honey, I lost the kids!
The phone call you never want to have to make? I made it. "Hello, darling. Hi. How's things? What's for dinner? Curry? Great. Yeah, really good ride. By the way, just one thing... is Sam there? O, s**t i think I've lost him."
Yep. he'd gone tearing off ahead towards Croydon with the rest of the group. I was riding back with Tim and Monty. Everything's cool. He'll be waiting just around the corner, the next corner, Purley, South Croydon, Geoffrey Butler's, he's probably gone home. That's it, he's made his way home. But he hadn't! aaaargh!!!
No, he was waiting at Coulsdon South and we'd taken the by-pass!!!!! and he'd forgotten his phone and had no money.
Perfect end to a perfect day.