Early Spring Sunshine

For the second weekend in a row South-East England enjoyed mild and sunny conditions. Making the most it, I decided to deviate from my normal training routes and head further a field.  Saturday I decided to ride to Brighton, following the route of a charity ride from Clapham Common (upon which I live) to the coastal town.
It is a lovely route particularly once you get out of Greater London into the Surrey or Northern Downs. Once outside the M25, much of the ride is on quiet country lanes. Here the hum of traffic is replaced with the sounds of the country, and now with the sounds of Spring. While riding along by myself I could not help but reflect on how much simpler the world is on a bike in such surroundings.

There aren't any major climbs, rather rolling hills, though the Beacon just past Ditchling always presents a challenge.  Over the Beacon and it is a fast descent into Brighton.  On this section I maxed at about 95km/hr (Garmin Connect).

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Sunday, Mark and I headed to the Chilterns, north-west of London.  Mark had made the suggestion during the week, and when Cycling Weekly published a route on Thursday our minds were made up.  Starting in Marlow, we headed north-west towards Frieth.  During the first section of the route, we passed participants of a duathlon riding on the opposite side of the road - the lead riders on TT bike and deep aero wheels, the stragglers on mountain bikes with knobbly tyres.  The difference in equipment could not have been greater, nor their speeds.

A route was over rolling hills, with a couple particularly steep climbs.  Two in particular come to mind, the one outside Skirmett on the way out, and the last climb just outside Fingest on the return.  Apart from the lovely birch-lines roads, the first half of the ride also offered terrific views of Oxfordshire after the fabulously named Christmas Common.

After a cup of tea in Chinnor, we rode to Princes Risborough and then turned back on ourselves to Saunderton before heading south to Bledlow Ridge.  During this time we could hear the continuous tooting of a steam train.  Turns out there is a steam train between Chinnor and Princes Risborough.

A puncture on the roll into the Marlow was the only downside of an otherwise fantastic morning in the early spring sunshine.  (Garmin Connect)

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Laps of Richmond Park

Despite wonderful conditions my training last weekend was restricted to Richmond Park.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy riding Richmond Park - I like the scenery, the lack of traffic and the convenience, but in reflection the conditions deserved going further a field.  It does seem an opportunity lost.  Oh well.

Though I rode the same route, Saturday and Sunday, the experience couldn't have been more different.  On Saturday morning, I hooked onto the back of two experienced riders as they passed our house then followed them all the way to the Park and a couple loops.  They maintained a brisk pace, and I realised I was working hard just to stay with them.  Throughout they maintained a conversation, and indication they had more in reserve.  In my mind, it was a question of when not if they were going to drop me.  That moment came at the bottom of Kingston Hill - a short, sharp rise.  They looked at each other, got out of the saddle and exploded - it was very impressive.  I completed another lap by myself.  Three laps in 65:03 ... somehow I need to find 5 minutes in the next year to achieve my 60:00 goal.

Sunday I joined Mark on a couple laps.  We had planned to ride to Brighton, but due to time constraints this wasn't possible.  These laps were completed in a much more leisurely pace.

PS - The French anti-doping agency (AFLD) has announced another rider, Bernhard Kohl has tested positive for the blood-boosting substance CERA.  He becomes the sixth rider from this year's tour to have been caught.  Kohl won the King of the Mountains jersey, and finished third in the General Classification behind Sastre and Evans.  Kohl was set to join Evans in 2009, having been signed by Silence-Lotto.

The Stragglers' Sunday Ride

Fully fit after my mishap a fortnight prior I was keen to get back on the bike.  So this morning I caught the train out to Thames Ditton to join The Stragglers on their Sunday Ride, and we were blessed with the best weather one could possibly hope for this time of year.  Fog first thing  with the promise that it would burn off quickly and turn in a bright sunny and warm day.

The weather encouraged a good sized group to meet at The Angel.  Once on the road we headed in a general SW direction, past Sandown racecourse, through Esher, towards Cobham then Ockham before turning left for Effingham.  It was here we greated the North Downs, and the first of two climbs - approximately 175m over about 5km.  The second, Box Hill, followed immediately after the descent of the first.  It had a similar profile to the first climb.  Having trained for the Dragon Ride and Gruyere Cycling Tour without riding any hills of note, it is good to know (now) there are a couple decent climbs close to home.

After a cup of tea at the top of Box Hill, we headed back NW via Headley, Leatherhead, Oxshott and Esher before joining up with the first section of our ride near Sandown.

It was a fantastic route and I enjoyed the company of The Stragglers.  Thanks to Ray and Sue for letting us join you, and Dave Thomas for the invite.  Moreover it was great to be back on the bike.

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