Mrs CET needed dropping off at the station at 12:30 and needs picking back up at about 4.30pm, which gives an excuse for watching Strade Bianche, but also meant an early start to get 100km in. Weather forecast was not promising so I kitted up for rain, but the rain had passed faster and heavier than expected so I set off in light drizzle with clear sky to the west. Plan was to fill in some squares around Farnham and Alton for my Max Square (which will stay 12 x 12 until the land dries up and I can pick up the gravel-only squares that are leaving annoying holes at the moment - if I tried to ride those at the moment I might end up like the Aune Man.)
The roads were highly entertaining - running water, potholes, loose gravel - and three river sections where the water came up to the bottom bracket. Various sections required as much cyclocross as road-riding skills. I had to give up on one square as SSE had the road from East Worldham to Alton closed to upgrade Bordon's electricity supply. But I did have a good result on Armsworth Hill, where the end of the public road just gave me the square I wanted. By the time I got back I had shaken off my cold but the legs felt every bit of the 1370m ascent in the route. I forget how hilly the Hampshire back roads can be.
