A couple of days ago, someone asked me whether you had to be over fifty to ride in the Hilly Over 50. I thought about it for a moment, and replied that no, you didn't have to be, it's just the way we prefer it ...
Anyway, enough of this nonsense. Fourteen away from Dorking at 1116; a good turnout with a couple of stalwarts missing for good reason. Quickly out of town and up Coldharbour Lane. Paul had trouble with his gears here, and again on Coast Hill, and so decided to go and get them sorted rather than have a real failure on one of the big hills. Pity, but sensible enough.
The rest of us set off up Sheephouse Lane, which is a proper climb. Peter went off ahead, as he too was mechanically challenged, but in a different way. He was riding a singlespeed, 68", as his road bike was still in the builders having a winter refit. A tough day for him, but he did it all. John B was so relaxed at the top of this sharp climb that he decided to have a little lie down, though it may have had something to do with his cleats.
Easier ground for a while after this, ending at the roundabout by the Bull's Head in Ewhurst. Here we turned on to Pitch Hill, which we had been able to descend at about 40 mph a couple of weeks ago. You won't need to look too closely at the telemetry to know that we didn't manage it on the ascent. But once we were over the top Hound House Road passed pretty quickly, and we were in the Volunteer only about 15 minutes late. This represents a significant improvement over last year, and our table was waiting for a satisfying lunch.
After lunch, Ken decided that White Down was probably more fun than he needed at the moment, as this was his first real ride this season after illness. After a very good effort he took the main road to Dorking.
The rest of us floated up White Down, rather after the fashion of spawning salmon - you know what I mean, doggedly plunging upward with glazed eye and open mouth. But, just like the salmon, we got to the top in the end, and only one easy hill remained.
So, just before three thirty, a compact peloton of a dozen moved purposefully up Box Hill. Warm sunshine, handshakes, smiles and photographs. We had done it. And with a pleasant, easy cruise over Headley Heath we were all in Annies by four enjoying our teas.
Another triumph for the Over Fifties - mark your diaries now for the next Challenging Ride, the Shoreham Century on 20th June.
Mark
2 comments:
Mark, looks like I missed another good ride next year I must try and make it! I have marked my diary for June 20th.
Trip to IOW was a double Wammy. 1st court hearing was adjourned to 2nd May, key witness bus driver did not turn up again thats 3 adjournments! 2nd I slipped on boat slipway on seaweed in Cowes and ended up in Newport hospital haveing Xray on right hand with suspected fracture. I am now using a velcro splint and need to go to Epsom hosp. in 10 days for review. I am now of the opinion that its a bad sprain but I do have some pain. Most likely be a DNS on Sunday med.gr.
That's tough, Mike. Very bad luck to hurt yourself at the beginning of the season. Hope it sorts itself out quickly.
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