Well, I hope that you all enjoyed the summer last week, as we appear to be back to situation normal! I’ve got wet more times in the last few days getting to work and back, than I did in the whole period of February to May, What’s that all about? And as for the fact that Monday is the longest day and it’s all down hill from here, well, let’s not even go there! So, what have I been up to this week then? Well, for a starters Sunday was dedicated to a bit of Audax fun in the shape of the Sussex Midsummer 200. I’ll just highlight the word Midsummer there, as compared to last weekend it was positively dismal. Friday and Saturday’s torrential rain ensured that there were plenty of big puddles around and the local lanes were awash with loose gravel and sharp flinty bits washed from the surrounding fields, perfect for punctures and wet feet! Never normally one to be put off by a bit of dampness though, I found myself stood in the corner of a now familiar car park, with a handful of other like-minded lunatics at early O’clock on Sunday morning, ready for a Covid safe send off. Covid safety is still a primary consideration for all organised events and today was no different. Staggered start times, hands free collection of Brevet cards, no mass briefings and limited numbers, ensured a safe and swift departure, and I was on the road in the early morning drizzle just before 07:30. Heading out from Midhurst towards the first stop at Pease Pottage the damp air hung like a heavy curtain over the surrounding countryside. The verge side vegetation was weighed down by the weight of water clinging to it’s damp leaves and the constant drizzle slowly ran down my legs, before collecting in my shoes. It’s nice riding up through this part of Sussex though, with gently rolling countryside, some lovely little lanes and plenty of nice little cottages with their characteristic yellow windows and doors to keep your mind occupied. Through Horsham for the first time, before the traffic started building, and on to the first checkpoint. No point in hanging around here though, so grab a quick receipt as proof of passage and back the way I’d come. With the traffic now starting to pick up in readiness for the 10:00 “must get to the shops rush” Horsham was a bit busier on the way back. Unfortunately it’s pretty much unavoidable without a considerable diversion though, so straight through the middle and back onto the nicer, quieter country lanes and the chance to relax again. South now, towards Storrington before turning West and heading towards the first of 3 visits to the village hall checkpoint at Cocking. The first visit marked the half way point and the option to sample the amazing hospitality laid on by today's organisers, however it’s not raining (now), so do I stop and risk getting wet later or “make hay whilst the sun shines” and push on? Choices, choices. I elect to pass on the beans on toast and push on for the short but hilly second loop. Eating can wait and I’ve got plenty of nibbles to keep me going for a while yet. Things got a bit more interesting after lunch, as the route heads into the South Downs National Park, with its somewhat hillier terrain. A long fast descent gave the old legs a bit of a breather, before a main course of climbing, regaining all that lost height up the long slow drag to Harting Down. A long old drag it is too from the South side, compared to the short sharp climb coming from the North. Personally I’d rather do it the other way round, but then again, on tired legs getting up the steep side can be a bit of a challenge too! No chance of the normally expansive view from the top today either, it’s still heavily overcast with damp rain in the air and I’m not hanging around to get wet. Straight down the other side then, followed by the straight forward run back to Cocking for another visit to the village hall and a stamp in the Brevet card. A quick stop to make use of the facilities and fill up on water and it’s off again for the final loop. I’m not hanging around with the chance of rain ever present and if I can get back without getting totally soaked then so much the better. There will be plenty of other opportunities for standing around chatting, and it’s not much fun with a face mask on anyway, so I’m straight back to it. One last run out then, through Petersfield and then up the long climb through Steep and onwards towards Ropley (and almost back home again). It’s a nice climb up through Steep, despite the name it’s not too steep but a long steady gradient which seems to go on forever, with some lovely views back from the halfway point. Eventually cresting the top, brings only a short respite as the road continues to rise in a series of shorter climbs all the way up to the turnaround point at Ropley. Blessed relief then, as it’s surely all back downhill from here. But no, somehow the route back continues the uphill theme until it re-joins the route out for the descent back to Steep. I’ve no idea how that works, as you re-join the route out lower down, yet seem to climb all the way, maybe it’s just tired legs, but I’m not so sure! Just the final few miles back to Cocking to go then and surprisingly I’m still dry, the sun even managed to make a brief appearance on the final run back. Back at Cocking there’s a chance of a well-earned brew washed down with a slice of divine ginger cake, whilst sorting out Brevet cards and chatting about the days ride. Every organiser always wants to know if there’s anything they could do better or changes that would improve the route and despite thinking long and hard about it I don’t think that there is today. In fact, despite the weathers best efforts I had a great day out. The route was presently varied with a good mix of fast roads, quiet country lanes and plenty of climbing thrown in for good measure. I’d been through some lovely villages and open countryside and seen a few places that I’d never been to, despite being fairly local. Everything’s slickly organised and I hadn’t got too wet. You can’t ask for much more than that can you, and with a time of just under 10 hours for 130 miles (that’s 200 and a bit Km for you youngsters) I’m not going to get a place in this year’s Tour de France, but I’m not going to be the last man back either! In other news, I can report that the Van is now without engine and what a job getting that out was. I’d never planned on taking it out, but having broken an exhaust rocker on the M3 the other week and been told that the garage wouldn’t touch it due to the time and costs involved I wasn’t left with much choice. The perceived wisdom seemed to be to scrap it and start again, but to even start replacing it, I was looking at £5K. Plus I’d then have to swap the interiors over, fit new windows and sky lights, new insulation, move the heater over etc, and still be left with an unknown high mileage van. So engine out it had to be, and it’s now away for rebuilding at a vastly lower cost. Obviously when it comes back it’s going to have to get refitted, which is going to be another massive undertaking, not helped by the fact that I’ve got no idea where most of the million plugs and wires which are now tangled up in one big mess go. But, at least if I do ever manage to get it back in place and running again, it will have a theoretical zero mile engine, new clutch and associated parts etc, so should be good for another few years. Oh, and in case anyone’s wondering how I’m getting around without the van, check out my current van substitute. Need’s must when the devil drives and all that, but having looked at the cost of hiring a car for a few days to get to last week’s run, down to see “The Boy” and a few other events I’ve got going on, this was a no brainer.
Granted its a few years old and it’s got a few minor niggles but nothing that isn’t a simple fix, and who hasn’t at that age. I spent a couple of hours scrubbing out the smell of dog and old man from the interior, threw an oil change and service at it and a couple of new tyres on the front and it still owes me less than £800. I’d originally planned on selling it on again as soon as the van was sorted, but I’m getting quite attached to it now. It’s a bit under powered for motorway cruising, but around town it’s great. It’s quiet, easy to drive and no longer smells of dead dog. Plus not only does my bike fit in the back, but so did all the camping gear last week. It’s never going to replace the van as the love of my life but I am getting quite attached to it!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Paul PerrattOld enough to know better, young enough to still feel invincible, stupid enough to keep on trying the same thing again and again. Cyclist, Gardener, Runner, Hiker, Cook, Woodworker, Engineer, Jack of all trades and master of none, Anti social old git and all round miserable bugger. Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|