Pre Final Training

Yesterday three of the gang did a quick Brighton run in fabulous sunny weather. The route goes through such beautiful countryside, once one escapes the 'burbs of South London, and of course we always know that Ditchling Beacon is waiting to provide us with her  special challenge. Oh Joy. Once in the sunny Badlands of Busy Brighton of course, the scenery did not fail to excite the warm blood of the intrepid travellers! Nuf said my friends. 

Final practice

The last practice ride took 6 of us down to Rowland's Castle on a perfect day. It is a pity rain is forecast for next Saturday. We were expecting a seventh, but only he knows what happened. Bexley Hill proved a stern test, but the flying Finn proved too fast for the camera and only his backside is in shot. Others were easier to capture.

Nearly ready

It is touch and go whether the resurfacing of Arthur Road Wimbledon in preparation for our ride will be complete. Gordon Brown apparently said that he would have had the whole route to Portsmouth resurfaced (it sorely needs it) for the cyclists if he hadn't spent all the money bailing out those idiot bankers.

Meanwhile Will and Mike model the official tour jerseys. Paul looks on sadly. We have since told him he really is part of the team and will be getting his own jersey.

Lots of coffee and food, but something's missing...

Boys, just noticed something. As far as I can tell there is only one picture on this magnificent blog which has a bike on it, courtesy of the renowned Wimbledon Observer (or whatever it's called). Just checking: we are actually CYCLING aren't we? Looks like a coffee tour in silly shirts at the moment!

More Training, .... London to Brighton

Fame at last

Training

This week I have mostly been drinking Bordeux, as a stapple diet to this trip

May bank holiday weekend we have been training hard. Saturday riding down to Rowland's Castle we discovered a very nasty climb (Bexley Hill); one to avoid in future. Sunday down to Brighton and Hove where Nigel "Mr Whippy" Robinson persuaded his boss to lay on a banquet for us in her garden. Mike "sicknote" Steuart invested heavily in a great new bike, but had to pull out of the Brighton run as he injured himself playing football. He was spotted on the new machine on Monday. More rides planned Whit Bank holiday weekend; 2 rides to Brighton and a 50 mile loop of the Downs. At least we can eat a lot.