SDW hundred-miler on the hottest day of the year, you say? Go on then.
On the morning of 14th July 2021, Flipper kindly collected me at some ungodly hour but already temps in the low 20’s ensured we didn’t get cold on the way to the Winchester drop-off.
Trails were in fantastic shape due to a warm spell drying out the Downs and the sheep poo (phew).
We missed three turnings due to overgrown bushes / going too fast / my middle-aged eyesight. Extra TEN miles. Which I’m not ashamed to say led to me to walk the last, endless climb. Which I blamed on the ice cream & coke Steve bought for me at the Truleigh YHA.
Huge skies and an absolutely cracking day in the saddle with my fave riding buddy. Unquestionably my ride of the year. I can confirm doing flinty, chalky trails on a hardtail xc race bike, even with big tyres, gives your @rse quite the pummelling. Might take a leaf out of Mr Watkins book & use full-suss next time.
Special thanks to the ladies. Christina collected the achy Paragon pair in Eastbourne in a rather dirty & smelly state.