Dress Rehearsals - 15 days to go

I think last week’s bit of storming contributed to making Sunday’s ride a hugely enjoyable day out in Sussex, the first time we have visited that fair county. To date our rides have taken us West to Dorset, East to Kent and North to Northamptonshire and I have to say, it’s one of the real joys of these rides that we get to really see and appreciate this sceptred Isle, this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England…!     

Pursuing the theatrical theme, I’m reminded that with 15 days to go we’re getting into the serious business of dress rehearsals. For this ride, we kitted our bikes out with all the gear we will be taking. Each of us will have nine litres of carrying capacity, a Topeak 2 litre handlebar bag and a seven litre Carradice saddle bag. With such limited space, we’ll be taking literally one tee shirt, a pair of shorts and ‘flip flops’ for the evening - there won’t be room for anything else by the time we’ve included spares and tools, waterproofs, mobiles, maps, first aid kit and other essentials. 

Our route took us south to Petersfield, where we had breakfast at the excellent Cloisters Café. En route we encountered a member of the lost Garmin user’s society. Claire had been wandering aimlessly through the lanes of Hampshire since her trip computer expired. In his inimitable style, Graham gave her directions to Southampton and we all went on our way. After Breakfast we headed for Midhurst before returning home via Liphook. A ride of 125 miles completed at just over 15.5 mph and with total ascents of 4,500 feet so pretty similar to one of our non-alpine riding days when we get to France.

We are pretty much all organised now. We managed to sort the route out just in time to get the accommodation we need, hotels were getting pretty full by the time we came to book. We’re all set apart from the first Saturday night, 5^thJune. Perhaps because this weekend sees the Journées des Jardins in France where thousands of public and private gardens are open for free visits, every hotel in the country appears full. We could only find two rooms (one with only a double bed!) in Dourdan, Jeremy is desperately praying for a cancellation or two!

So we have hotels, tickets, bikes and all the kit we need, we’ve even agreed how we are going to get our bikes back from Venice! Next week end will see our last serious training sessions with two back to back 130 milers, then we’ll take it easier until its time to go.