StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Toughest FNRttC I've been on? Nope. Compared to Brighton November '09 (which had the parallels of a midway stop at the Cabin, with resulting waterlogged floor, and Pippa and User10571 amongst others deciding that the train was a more sensible option), or Wetstable, or Emsworth....nope. But tough, nonetheless. That headwind sucked the life out of me. I'm used to being at the front or thereabouts, but much of the time I was at the back, or it felt like it. I stayed warm (the layers that felt like an overheating burden early on coming into their own), but the water seemed all pervasive, again- everything was at least damp. Had two pairs of gloves, not sure that was an advantage as I just got both pairs sodden.
I'd been a bit remiss on the pre-ride eating (when I'm doing the work-then-train-to-ride thing I usually get a sandwich to eat en route, not last night though), which probably didn't help my lack of pace, but the weather was the main culprit. To get to the Cabin, even at the back of what felt like a very long queue, was a relief- the doorstop, tea and bread pudding hit the spot as always.
That second stretch I think ranks as necessary, rather than a pleasure- I agree with Greg on Deak's Lane (that surface was dreadful), but it was a case of getting to Brighton as soon as. Grim and bear it. The fact that so many of the new/newer riders seemed nonetheless seemed to have a great time is a good sign though.
Serious chapeau to the centurions. For some reason, 48 miles into a 25 mph head/crosswind did not appeal very much, and even riding up to Brighton station was hard work (though the frankly bizarre diversions etc in town didn't help). Back home, after an equally hard ride back from Cosham, at about 11am. And following the catnap, I collected the Trek from its service. Timing couldn't be helped, but the disc brakes and mudguards would have been handy last night.....
I'd been a bit remiss on the pre-ride eating (when I'm doing the work-then-train-to-ride thing I usually get a sandwich to eat en route, not last night though), which probably didn't help my lack of pace, but the weather was the main culprit. To get to the Cabin, even at the back of what felt like a very long queue, was a relief- the doorstop, tea and bread pudding hit the spot as always.
That second stretch I think ranks as necessary, rather than a pleasure- I agree with Greg on Deak's Lane (that surface was dreadful), but it was a case of getting to Brighton as soon as. Grim and bear it. The fact that so many of the new/newer riders seemed nonetheless seemed to have a great time is a good sign though.
Serious chapeau to the centurions. For some reason, 48 miles into a 25 mph head/crosswind did not appeal very much, and even riding up to Brighton station was hard work (though the frankly bizarre diversions etc in town didn't help). Back home, after an equally hard ride back from Cosham, at about 11am. And following the catnap, I collected the Trek from its service. Timing couldn't be helped, but the disc brakes and mudguards would have been handy last night.....