Off to the A31 between Farnham & Alton. Have done this before and I know from experience that it's not the easiest course for me. It has its ups-and-downs and if it's windy.....! The weather forecast suggested that I'd have most problems eastbound, so I was unpleasantly surprised to start westwards - and struggle. Eventually got into a rhythm after a car pulled across me, much to my concern. It may not have been my fastest time but I was really pleased to have finished in 1:03:56. Mentally I got more out of this one than many of my faster times on faster courses. Being that quali
Started from The 'Uts at 08:00 in thick fog and made our way in an easterly direction to Greenstead Green. This was not without its thrills & spills, the latter being a particularly good reminder of how hard the roads are when you hit them! To add insult to injury I punctured about three miles later on supposedly puncture-proof tyres. However this did give me an extra bit of time to sort the blood from the bruises and whatever other damage I'd done to myself and the bike. Idiot!
Typically arrived later than planned, and pre-ride nerves insisted on finding a local garage. So with minimal warm up and without driving the course I approached the start of my first 30 miler.
I had decided to ride without liquids after failing to master the use of a saddle mounted bottle cage. Still, this didn't seem too much of a problem in the cool early morning but after going out too strong and after the sun had burned off the morning cool to make for the hottest day of the year so far, I did regret that decision.
The glorious sunshine and light breeze accompanied the 13 riders throughout. Many exposed their lallies for the first time this year. The weather demanded a salade nicoise, drizzled with olive oil and washed down with a crisp pinot grigio. At the Mocha Cafe this was off the menu, so most riders opted for the nearest alternative, bacon sandwich on white bread with a mug of tea. Welcome to Peter and Rhys on their first rides with the club. No hindrances over 35 miles.
Fortunately clued up members John Farnham and Mike East pointed out to your doolally ride leader that the proposed café destination (Vanstone Garden Centre at Codicote) would be closed because of the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which precludes large shops with a floor area greater than 3,000sq ft from opening on Easter Sunday. Therefore Captain Bob hastily checked out Emily’s at Whitwell (which has a floor area more like 300sq ft!) and we went there instead because they were open.
My first Open 10 for 3 years! It wasn't all bad. With a strong SW wind making the Cambourne to Cambridge leg fairly quick, I did suffer a bit on the more arduous, slightly uphill return but still crossed the line at 24:44. This was good news as far as I was concerned because I was targeting between 24 & 25 mins. I'd like to believe that in more favourable conditions I'd have come in under 24 mins. A confidence booster for me as my fastest for this course is 24:12, done 6 years ago. A good early season workout that encourages me not to give up yet! 102/131. PW.
Having braved the rather windy F6 time trial course, a few of us left Cole Green in search of Wandon End Golf Club, hoping that the category 6 mob had not eaten all the cakes. Luckily they hadn't and we joined them outside in the sun. The return was mostly into the wind, but broken up by a twisty lanes route. No mechanicals and, more surprisingly, no punctures, since some were on skinny racing tyres!
