StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
First off: As Greg's already mentioned, I didn't make the 200 mile mark. Headwind going west was relentless, and progress therefore somewhat slow. Got to Littlehampton just 1hr 3/4 hours, and rather than spend another 2 hours plus from there on the bike, I opted for the train. Still broke my mileage record, 173.2, so happy with that.
The trip to the smoke was fairly straightforward- I was following the route that I took with Hummers et al on Good Friday, and had it set up on the 705. I ended up going a different way into Petersfield as I missed a turn, and had a small extra loop in Kingston for the same reason, but it otherwise worked out perfectly (I did have the route on paper as well, but didn't need it. I allowed plenty of time as I knew I'd be slower on my own, and I also (intentionally) added some extra miles in search of the 200. First leg came to 93.88, overall average 12.8 mph. By 9.45 I'd reached the Kings Road. Plenty of time to refuel and natter at Victoria, before we headed back to Semley Place.
The ride down to Copthorne with Team Adam was great- as Tim D as said already, the pace was fairly speedy. There was also the unintentional comedy of shopping at the petrol station on Reigate Hill- the attendant had locked the door, so Tim and Mark had to make their purchases via shouting and pointing. Miranda and Marna's junction at the turn for the badlands was amazing, and nice job with the lights etc through them, Team Tim. I was the last on the road of our little group, and reached my junction (Redehall Road/Effingham Lane) at about 2am. I didn't have to wait long for the first riders to turn up, only about 20 minutes. For the most part, they paid attention to me and the lights and didn't attempt to RLJ (some asked if it was 'OK' to go through anyway...of course not….a few ignored me & the lights and carried on). One group of three somehow, despite my pointing and instructions, attempted to go straight across the junction, but they eventually got the message. Greg's 'LEFT!!..' exchange about sums it up. I think next time I'll follow Dave's fine example and make up a sign as well....The ride had clearly got very spread out already- Jasper texted me at about 2.50 to say that the tail end was still four miles from Reigate (!). Once Simon had taken my place, I made my way to the school, there joining the feeding frenzy at the table- splendid job by the Martlets team there. I did my best to prevent any cake going to waste
The second half of the ride, for the most part in a mini-peloton of marshals, was equally good fun, apart from the mist which totally obscured some normally splendid landscapes. I can only agree with Simon that for many of the riders, this was clearly a major effort- many were walking on even the little inclines, let alone Turners Hill & the Beacon. But well done all of them, they kept going and kept smiling (energy levels permitting). Before the Beacon, I did what I always do and pause at the greenhouses for a breather and a snack- rather surprised to be the only one there. Thanks for the energy bar Susie, 'twas lovely. Onward and upward, past quite a few walkers (one asked how I could be so fit...pass...I certainly didn't want to mention how I'd got to London!). Then down into Brighton and the obligatory plateful of nosh, as ever served up by Greg's team with speed and a smile, and the equally obligatory (in the nicest possible sense) natter. My doziness was certainly not a result of the splendid company!
And then the attempted ride home- Greg, with hindsight I could have done with the company, might have MTFUd and made it the whole way.
Thanks one and all for an amazing night. That was an absolute blast, and a real pleasure to see so many people discovering that they can indeed Ride Quite A Long Way after all. May the fundraising go as well as the ride did, it's a very deserving cause.
The trip to the smoke was fairly straightforward- I was following the route that I took with Hummers et al on Good Friday, and had it set up on the 705. I ended up going a different way into Petersfield as I missed a turn, and had a small extra loop in Kingston for the same reason, but it otherwise worked out perfectly (I did have the route on paper as well, but didn't need it. I allowed plenty of time as I knew I'd be slower on my own, and I also (intentionally) added some extra miles in search of the 200. First leg came to 93.88, overall average 12.8 mph. By 9.45 I'd reached the Kings Road. Plenty of time to refuel and natter at Victoria, before we headed back to Semley Place.
The ride down to Copthorne with Team Adam was great- as Tim D as said already, the pace was fairly speedy. There was also the unintentional comedy of shopping at the petrol station on Reigate Hill- the attendant had locked the door, so Tim and Mark had to make their purchases via shouting and pointing. Miranda and Marna's junction at the turn for the badlands was amazing, and nice job with the lights etc through them, Team Tim. I was the last on the road of our little group, and reached my junction (Redehall Road/Effingham Lane) at about 2am. I didn't have to wait long for the first riders to turn up, only about 20 minutes. For the most part, they paid attention to me and the lights and didn't attempt to RLJ (some asked if it was 'OK' to go through anyway...of course not….a few ignored me & the lights and carried on). One group of three somehow, despite my pointing and instructions, attempted to go straight across the junction, but they eventually got the message. Greg's 'LEFT!!..' exchange about sums it up. I think next time I'll follow Dave's fine example and make up a sign as well....The ride had clearly got very spread out already- Jasper texted me at about 2.50 to say that the tail end was still four miles from Reigate (!). Once Simon had taken my place, I made my way to the school, there joining the feeding frenzy at the table- splendid job by the Martlets team there. I did my best to prevent any cake going to waste
The second half of the ride, for the most part in a mini-peloton of marshals, was equally good fun, apart from the mist which totally obscured some normally splendid landscapes. I can only agree with Simon that for many of the riders, this was clearly a major effort- many were walking on even the little inclines, let alone Turners Hill & the Beacon. But well done all of them, they kept going and kept smiling (energy levels permitting). Before the Beacon, I did what I always do and pause at the greenhouses for a breather and a snack- rather surprised to be the only one there. Thanks for the energy bar Susie, 'twas lovely. Onward and upward, past quite a few walkers (one asked how I could be so fit...pass...I certainly didn't want to mention how I'd got to London!). Then down into Brighton and the obligatory plateful of nosh, as ever served up by Greg's team with speed and a smile, and the equally obligatory (in the nicest possible sense) natter. My doziness was certainly not a result of the splendid company!
And then the attempted ride home- Greg, with hindsight I could have done with the company, might have MTFUd and made it the whole way.
Thanks one and all for an amazing night. That was an absolute blast, and a real pleasure to see so many people discovering that they can indeed Ride Quite A Long Way after all. May the fundraising go as well as the ride did, it's a very deserving cause.
