Riding up the High Street in Croydon I noticed that it was 26 degrees at about half past six in the morning, so it had certainly been a warm night. An early train - air conditioned - to Barnham, and I was ready to go.
A pleasant breakfast in the sun at a little coffee bar outside the station, then out of the town and on to a cycle way that leads towards the Downs.
After a couple of miles the tarmac ends and you begin to climb on decent gravel for about three miles to the crest. This was cool enough, sheltered by trees for most of the way, and, interestingly, there were signs of maintenance, so someone cares.
Warm on the top, about 32 degrees, but with a pleasant breeze, also warm, so some enjoyable riding
The warmest part of the ride was crossing the river at the Arun Gap - it was about 34 degrees here, so not as warm as last year on Windover Hill, but the sun had a couple of hours to go, so it might have made it.
Back up again and along the ridge, passing Chantry Lane that we rode on Janice's ride a few weeks ago, past the Chanctonbury Ring, eventually descending to Steyning and on to Botolphs, picking up the new cycleway to Shoreham, where the ever-popular Bridge Inn provided an early lunch in the garden. 26 degrees there, with a pleasant breeze off the sea.
Another train - also air conditioned - and the guard's fears of rails deforming in the heat proved groundless, so I was back home in time to watch the slow, dispiriting stage of the Tour where people were complaining of 40 degree heat.
They should get up earlier.
Mark
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