TOSH

[huw williams]

Lot of people were asking about the Tour of the Surrey Hills at the weekend. It's THIS COMING SUNDAY. I'm doing it and a few other ACCers have said they're going to try and make it. Interested? check the website below - you can enter on the day but get there early!


http://www.audax.uk.net/cal/index.htm

[David Lombari]

Sent my form off today. Anyone riding down?

[Toks]

I know it was about two weeks ago but what happened at TOSH. Did many ACC guys do it, who won etc etc?

[David Lombari]

I only saw two other ACCers there, Tamar and Huw....both of whom beat me. I clocked up an overall time of 5h 17m (I think!) but my computer gave me a time of 4h 35m which I was happy with. Didn't seem as bad as I remember, though some of the roads were in an awful state, particularly Tanhurst Hill. Also, I'm sure my Airone saddle helped as I seemed to be able to stay sat on most of the climbs, thus saving energy.
Tamar finished around 15 mins ahead of me and Huw.....well....suffice to say when I arrived back he had his slippers on, cuppa in hand and had finished his dinner. A good day.

[huw williams]

A group of four of us were credited with the fastest time of 4hrs 12mins. A couple of guys were back quicker but they didn't stop at every check point. I rode with Steve Calland (ex pro) and a couple of really quick guys from other clubs who towed me round (tore my legs off basically.)

Just about managed to stay in touch but it damn near killed me. Never, EVER, again!

[Tamar]

Dave was actually riding faster than me...but just chose to stop for longer at the feed stations. S'funny...I hadn't spotted the espresso machine but I guess they must've had one to lure him away from the business in hand.

Thought it was hard as hell this year. Last year I was fit and doing it for fun so rode in a group, had leisure stops to fill up on donuts, and waited for my new found friends on climbs (which paid back when I punctured and realised my spare tube was also holey - ooops).

This year though I am unfit and was on a mission. So it was a head down, teeth gritted, interminable punishment with as few stops as possible and thankfully no punctures. Aim to break 5hrs next year.

Makes you realise how shot your legs are when you reach Box Hill and suddenly find yourself using your triple! Never before have I had to do that.

Anyhow - hope to see a few more folks doing it next year as it's a really good day out. Well organised, challenging, lots of fun.