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...