Monday, August 18, 2008

Sunday 17th August 2008


I had to make sure I'd typed August and not October................because the weather was up to it's tricks again with a chilly wind and variable cloud keeping the temperature below seasonal average.
After last weeks (very) poor show, with the exception of Jeff at the VC, Bob at the GC, and Graham at NC, I set off for my second lead.
At 9:10 there was just Ed and myself, then our company became a crowd with the appearance of Keith.
Past the Lavender fields, How Lane (abandoned Holdsworth?), High Road (Crystal Palace fast men and women attending puncture), Reigate Hill, Sidlow Bridge, Irons Bottom and Hookwood Tesco.
Graham joined us having had a quality sleep of 11 hours after his night ride, but probably due to lengthy questioning on my part we set off on the wrong side of 11:30.
Leaving Bob, we negotiated the airport perimeter road to pick up NCN 22 south and the western end of The Worth Way.
By the time we had reached Turner's Hill it was almost 1pm so plan B was to be The Red Lion for lunch (Plan A was Ardingly).
Another late departure - 2:20 but a partial route retrace meant we gained some time getting to Brockham around 3:30.
It was "donate what you like day" at this popular tea stop so flushed of a £2 we settled outside shortly to be offered FREE SECONDS, to recognise the uplift in takings.
With the thought of Pebblecombe hill 2 miles away we declined the offer of THIRDS!!

61 miles from Ewell.
12.8 ave.
37mph max - Reigate Hill.

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