Back home, and smelling better for a shower.
A very pleasant route I thought, only slightly marred by the inclement weather. Actually, seeing what others are having to put up with this weekend, it looks like we rather got away with it.
Early rain petered out on the first loop to Rutland. Lots of short sharp stabby climbs typical of the area, and once again, I couldn't be arsed to swap my wheel round, so rode the whole ride on a frankly silly gear (46/16). This inevitably meant a rather embarrassing amount of walking
.
Stonking tailwind along the Welland valley back to HQ. Excellent turnaround by the staff - Beans on Toast for a pound and all the tea you could drink. Awesome. More tailwind on the next section, but we soon rode back into the rain area that was by now plaguing areas South and West of Coventry. Only light for the most part, but certainly steady enough for waterproofs. The wind seemed to disappear at Southam, but not for long.
More hilly goodness between Southam and Daventry, including a monster just before Daventry. Needless to say, it was the 24" gear for me.
Bully of a wind from Daventry to the finish, but I could smell the Tea, so kept plugging away.
Great to ride with Martin and Nightrider for extended spells, though they weren't encumbered by a single gear, so were inevitably faster than me in the hills. Somehow Martin mislaid Nightrider in the last section - that was the last we saw of him; hope you were OK!
Great organisation and route; thanks to all the helpers who gave up their day for our benefit.
Shorter gear for me next year!
PS: 2242m of climbing.
