Wouldn't ask anybody to do something I won't, so testing next month...
Mmm, well that wasn't exactly to plan...
Went out to do a check(*). Because the Greavend-Tilbury ferry fiished at 7pm, and was 300+Km, in, that meant stupid o'clock midnight start, joining the route at Newbury - so scuttled down the valley at 11pm...
It hooned it down until 4am, and there were narrow lanes with floods, to make life 'interesting'.
What was suprising was how fixer friendly(**) it was. Although nominally crossing the grain of the land heading South, there was no stupid climbs, just long drags, until you got a sudden swoop down, and realised just how much you gradually gained.
Even turning Eastward and riding up and over Portsdown, looking at the twinkly lights of Hummer's gaff, was a delight, all the way to Battle.
Of course, from Battle, you head Northwards, into the High Weald. There's a clue in the name, and at this point, seeing the 17% I thought, "Hmmm, should've brought Gears."
About 20Km out realised I wasn't gong to make the cut(***), so cut some slack, then trained back home.
I'll do the 2nd half later. Shaping up to be a good 'un.
(*) Wouldn't ask y'all to do what I won't
(**) For small values of...
(***) The multiple vistations ddn't help