Carp Diem

The heatwave continues and I took advantage and got out early on a couple more mornings last week, after my 1066 run last Monday. On both occasions a lack of sleep during the night had a noticeable effect on my performance. Combined with the heat, it made me feel very lethargic and sluggish - especially on Sunday morning during the slog up Groombridge Hill. All being well my next ride will see me past my 2009 UK total!

1066 and all that

Bored of the local roads round me, I popped my newly cleaned bike into the back of the car and set off into Kent. Parked up in Ticehurst before embarking on a long and highly enjoyable, if tiring, loop of 1066 country. I started by heading east on a gently undulating road which took me through Flimwell and Hawkhurst. From there I struck out towards Rye, through Sandhurst and Newenden, then turning off the A268 just before Peasmarsh. I followed a pretty back road past someone wonderful country houses and spectacular gardens, ending up in Wittersham after about an hour's cycling. From there I went through Stocks and dropped down onto the flat marshes near Appledore. Then I headed south east towards New Romney, on a very busy and unpleasant main road. On reaching New Romney, I made directly for the coast at Littlestone on Sea. By now the sky was cloudless but with a strong breeze to keep me cool. By the two hour mark I had cut back inland past Lydd airport and on towards Jury's Gap and Camber. Being past lunchtime I was starting to get pretty hungry - managed to find a cafe at Rye serving all day breakfasts. Not the best thing perhaps as cycling fodder, but it was cheap calories and that is what mattered. The route immediately after lunch came as a bit of a shock as it was along a rolling ridge towards Battle, with plenty of climbing. The breakfast lay as a greasy lump in my stomach for at least half an hour, but after that seemed to kick in! By the time I had hit some cross country back roads and reached Robertsbridge, the 100k was up and I was flagging. Every small hill assumed daunting proportions until I finally reached Ticehurst again on 113km. That felt good! Fully deserved the slice of delicious Banoffee pie that Mrs M served up this evening.

Daytime riding

Have enjoyed a couple of decent day time rides so far this week - sunny good weather, although blustery head wind on both occasions. Yesterday I rode down to Piltdown to recce a pub there (The Peacock, highly recommended for a decent pint of Harveys). The route on the way back was enlivened by a tree which had fallen completely across the road between Nutley and Chelwood Gate- luckily I was able to carry my bike over, whilst cars had to turn round and go the long way round.

A new experience - A Friday afternoon ride

A sudden and unexpected change of circumstances at work meant that I spent most of the week at home and this looks set to continue. One of the few benefits of this is that I might be able to get some day time rides in, which should also keep me on the straight and narrow. So Friday afternoon saw me out on the back roads near to Ditchling for a couple of hours. Far too much traffic about as 5pm came and went, but enjoyable nonetheless. Not having ridden for a week I felt pretty fresh and sharp too...

Back in Blighty

By Saturday lunchtime we had completed the long haul back up from the South of France. I had a van to return to Horsham, so popped the bike in the back. After dropping the van off, and with temperatures only just shy of 30 c, I took the back roads back to Forest Row - These were more undulating than they had seemed when driving the van and certainly worked up a sweat. Despite feeling a bit lethargic (effects of recent shingles still lingering I think) recorded fastest average speed of the year to date.

Le vent en France

Spent most of the past week or so down at the house in Mirepoix, with the weather being indifferent for most of the time and only hotting up on Thursday and Friday. We had endured the long haul (675 miles) down from Calais in a van loaded with more furniture for the house (and bikes!) and so I was well and truly ready for a few lovely circuits round the back roads.

These were somewhat shorter than I would have liked as there were some improvements needed to help finish of the back garden. Also my fossils had joined us for the week and needed some loving attention and devotion from their only son! I did however discover a couple of beautiful new routes. However, the wind was ever present and quite strong at times, providing a challengoing mix of headwinds and crosswinds as the wind seems to change direction every half an hour or so.

On my final trip out on Thursday I was climbing a smallish mountain near Chalabre only to hear the ping of a rear spoke snapping. Luckily it did not cause to much of a wobble on the way home despite a slight rubbing of the brakes. Have brought the wheel back to the UK for repair so all will be good for my next visit.

I can also report that SWMBO's delicious scones certainly do fortify you well for a fast ride out!