A very fine day awheel and (as always), a first ride of the season classic.
A group of 6 of us headed out from Micks at around 07:20 to get to Kings Worthy for just before 9.
Blimey, it was pretty busy and I mucked in to help with collecting/sluicing out the cups as there was the most people I have seen on this ride in the last...ermmm...6 years
Left about 15 mins after the start and gradually caught up the field and my chums at the first control - which was pretty busy.
After that I rode with John and Pete but on the approach to Coombe hill, I was suddenly aware that my legs wouldn't work
This was due to a number of issues a) I had gone far too fast to catch up my chums, b) I was a stone heavier than when I rode this last year and c) I ma sure that it is due to me starting this ride for the first time completely sober
Still, Walkers Cheese and Onion crisps got the legs back on line and the 4 of us (we were joined by John Rosbottom) rode the rest of the route together.
Many cups of tea, cake, soup and more tea saw us fit for the for the ride back to Pompey via Gander Down and the Meon Valley
Perfect.
H