My greatest ride ever. Possibly because it was my most feared one.
When I booked I thought Southwold was somewhere south of Dunwich. Wrong! 122 miles matched LonJog day 1 but then I was fit and young and had half a dozen training tons under the belt. This year I haven't done a single one and many of my rides were short and slow as I trained up my better half.
The first bit to Stock was easy. But then I usually do that by Brompton so that said little - unlike the lady who was not impressed by our self congratulatory conversation so we obediently 'sodded off' to Maldon in praise of Tescos. DZ was obviously hallucinating by this stage as he asked if I would like to join Team Fast. TC with no spokes is faster than me!
And so that delightful amble through the Tolleshunts to Mersea Island. Its well worth doing in the light. If only we could arrange to do Brightlingsea to Harwich in the dark!
The Suffolk Alps were a surprise to me and my OS map. It led to a never ending tussle between the tandem and me - overtaking them on ups and being crushed on the downs. But fatigue refused to come. Mind you true speed didn't either so I troubled neither TEC Adrian nor the upfront guys and guyesses.
Southwold was a disappointment. Only because I felt I might have another 20 miles in the legs which would have made it my longest ride ever. But when the choice is n+1 pints of Adnams or trying to keep in touch with Charlie on a roll back to Ipswich - the sensible choice was taken. Sensible ... well thanks to DZ for the last major part of the trip - leading the way out of town. He said there was only one road but it looked like many. As Suse, Dell & TC peeled off to party the night - I and (I'm very sorry but remembering which foot to put down next left no room for names) sped off to Darsham Station. 8 miles at speed (ahem my speed) remarkably clears the head of drink but replaces it with not much else. I had a great chat with goodness knows who about goodness knows what while we waited for the train. I slept to Ipswich. He slept to London so that didn't add much.
Finally I bailed at Stratford for my first journey on the northern section of the Overground. Oh what a party was going on. Half a dozen with trick bikes (red chains, golden tyres ...) fancy dress with added music - who needs to club when you have an Oyster card?
Transferred to the Southern section of the Overground from Canonbury. Same trains, different clientele. Beggars not the Beautiful. Got home just before ten. Set off the burglar alarm. 134 on the clock. Very happy. Thank you Dell. Thank you Gordon for keeping faith with the young.
Stonking ride. Team 2 prepare for heaven via Romford.
When I booked I thought Southwold was somewhere south of Dunwich. Wrong! 122 miles matched LonJog day 1 but then I was fit and young and had half a dozen training tons under the belt. This year I haven't done a single one and many of my rides were short and slow as I trained up my better half.
The first bit to Stock was easy. But then I usually do that by Brompton so that said little - unlike the lady who was not impressed by our self congratulatory conversation so we obediently 'sodded off' to Maldon in praise of Tescos. DZ was obviously hallucinating by this stage as he asked if I would like to join Team Fast. TC with no spokes is faster than me!
And so that delightful amble through the Tolleshunts to Mersea Island. Its well worth doing in the light. If only we could arrange to do Brightlingsea to Harwich in the dark!
The Suffolk Alps were a surprise to me and my OS map. It led to a never ending tussle between the tandem and me - overtaking them on ups and being crushed on the downs. But fatigue refused to come. Mind you true speed didn't either so I troubled neither TEC Adrian nor the upfront guys and guyesses.
Southwold was a disappointment. Only because I felt I might have another 20 miles in the legs which would have made it my longest ride ever. But when the choice is n+1 pints of Adnams or trying to keep in touch with Charlie on a roll back to Ipswich - the sensible choice was taken. Sensible ... well thanks to DZ for the last major part of the trip - leading the way out of town. He said there was only one road but it looked like many. As Suse, Dell & TC peeled off to party the night - I and (I'm very sorry but remembering which foot to put down next left no room for names) sped off to Darsham Station. 8 miles at speed (ahem my speed) remarkably clears the head of drink but replaces it with not much else. I had a great chat with goodness knows who about goodness knows what while we waited for the train. I slept to Ipswich. He slept to London so that didn't add much.
Finally I bailed at Stratford for my first journey on the northern section of the Overground. Oh what a party was going on. Half a dozen with trick bikes (red chains, golden tyres ...) fancy dress with added music - who needs to club when you have an Oyster card?
Transferred to the Southern section of the Overground from Canonbury. Same trains, different clientele. Beggars not the Beautiful. Got home just before ten. Set off the burglar alarm. 134 on the clock. Very happy. Thank you Dell. Thank you Gordon for keeping faith with the young.
Stonking ride. Team 2 prepare for heaven via Romford.
