As if by magic we lost an hour in bed, but we've gained an hours useable daylight at the end of the day. Well I say useable, I was using the hour in the mornings! But apparently normal people don't get up early enough to see that, so we've got to move it to the other end of the day. Personally, I think they're missing a trick, because the early mornings, when everyone else is still in bed, is the best bit of the day, but what do I know?
Either way, the clocks have changed, so we had better make use of that extra hour of daylight and what better way to do that, than a day out on the bike? To be a bit more precise, Sunday morning saw me up bright and early, ready for the Start Of Summer 200Km Audax. Now, I've done this ride a couple of times before (it also runs as the End of Summer, when the clocks go the other way) and I've never really got on with it before. Due to the time of year, (there's more chance of snow in March than there is in December) the route follows some major B roads which should be passable whatever the weather decides to do. Roads, which due to their location around the Goodwood race track and through the South Downs, seem to attract a certain type of motorist. Now I've got no problem with people tearing around the countryside like some sort of over age boy racer, but it does detract from the cycling fun somewhat! This time though, was the first time I'd done the route round the other way, by which I mean we did the South Downs / Goodwood loop first, (L/H loop on the map) and what a difference it made. It would appear that the race car fans don't get up early and getting the hilly bits out of the way on fresh legs certainly makes a difference too. Such a simple change made a massive difference in my opinion and took the ride from not particularly enjoyable, to "when can I do that again".
A cold a frosty start, soon gave way to a beautiful morning, with the sun gently warming the air, whilst the climb up towards the first major checkpoint at Petersfield, did the same for my legs. Making good time, I was soon on my way towards the coast and the next checkpoint at Chichester. A good "sweat on" up the killer climb at Harting Down, then get my jacket zipped up again for the long gradual downhill, loosing all that hard earned height in exchange for a few easy minutes and some much needed speed.
It can't be all downhill though and it's not long untill that drop in height comes back to haunt me on the long drag back across the South Downs towards an early lunch stop back at the start at Petworth. It's more than worth it though for the warm welcome, hot brew and Beans on Toast on offer from the ever cheerful team manning the control and with just over 50 miles already done the chance of a quick stretch, before heading out for the afternoons loop.
By early afternoon the day was really warming up and it wasn't long before I had to stop to loose more layers. A wise decision in the morning had seen me replace the planned long leggings with shorts and leg warmers, a decision which paid dividends as the afternoon wore on and I got the chance to feel the cool March air on my legs. Legs which had been hidden away all winter finally released, although not for long I'd wager, there's still time for snow yet this year!
I'll admit that shorts with winter cycling boots and rolled down socks isn't the best look, and I'm sure that the fashion police were hot on my tail for crimes against fashion, but I was happy, and as far as I'm concerned that's all that matters! Down to Shoreham, then North, into the wind for the run up to the next checkpoint at Pease Pottage services and the chance to grab some water and a bite to eat before heading back towards the start and an eventual finish. Not the most exciting route, or the most challenging, but a great day out none the less. Made even better by the home made cake on offer at the finish. A fitting reward to the end of a day out in the spring sunshine, and all finished off with an outstanding sunset as I made my way home, tired but satisfied and already looking forward to the next one!
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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
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