I couldn't go a week without a long ride so an exchange of emails with Mr Kneebandage provided one(16/8 0045 hours).Thirty minutes after our intended rendezvous, down Kingston Hill came over sixty flashing beaming cyclists. Joy was shortlived as we had a mechanical within five minutes; it was to the rear of the peloton and outside Asda. After a lengthy wait I cycled back as person most likely to be of assistance. I found them struggling to reseat a tyre; the obvious solution was a spare wheel brought from home (actually damaged beading so a tyre would have sufficed!). From being last I found myself in the lead between Cobham and Guildford (regrouping at Ockham and Burnt Common). No doubt the A3 slow lane hasn't seen anything like it but I was going as hard as possible to reach familiar territory. Our belated break was at Paddington Bear's well after three. Here I was accused by our esteemed councillor of losing a rider (he hasn't been found so the charge may not stick; Monday update : DNS!).
By four thirty we were on A281 and then B2133. Leading became superfluous as there were too many faster riders but Simon's little helpers halted us at Alford and Adversane. Here Simon took command and an order was restored. A freshening Southerly wind bit into tiring limbs and stops in Ashington and Steyning were long. The last stretch on the wide-open A283 was demanding - I couldn't latch onto any wheel yet passed quite a few. All together again in Shoreham at eight, we wheeled our bikes over the footbridge to breakfast at the Waterstone Inn - it was all over. Ignoring those stops, an average of just under 13mph made for a lively ride. Great fun and home before eleven.
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