King of the Downs? - Not quite!

Yesterday saw me up and out of the door and riding into a fine drizzle at the unearthly hour of 7.15am, heading in the direction of Crawley where I had signed up for the Western loop of the King of the Downs (An Evans Cycles sportive). Quite a challenge with 5 climbs in Surrey totalling over 1,300 metres and including Box Hill. My fitness must be returning somewhat as I managed them all and the return ride home with no major cramps and no ill effects or stiffness at all today - Although at my age sometimes a little stiffness in the right place can be welcome! Got a nice tow along drafting behind a big German (Jan Ullrich?!) for a few kilometres on the windy way back to Crawley which helped a bit. Now looking forward to France next week, still need to shed a few kgs though...

Vicars and nuns

Finally managed to get out yesterday morning for the first time in a week, so made the most of it with a nice length ride down through Chelwood Gate and Nutley and on past Isfield. All was good until I switched direction to head towards Barcombe and Hamsey when I was confronted with a chilly headwind. Still battled on like a vicar at a nuns' tea party, heading back via Wivesfield Green and Scaynes Hill. In all about 70 km, and back by just after 10.30am, quite satisfying.

Finished myself of by spending the afternoon digging out my son's back garden in Portsmouth - He says a beautiful old Peugeot racer (vintage being the official term) found in the garden could be worth up to £1,000 if restored!!