Today was the first full day's bike ride, a long 72 mile ride in glorious weather, 25C and a tail wind.
Firstly we would like to thank everyone for helping us. We have borrowed bikes from Richard, Jack and Kate, and panniers and shorts from David, Ray and Joe
Also thanks to Heather, Alex and Emma for putting us up last night. We started at 9.30 and headed along the Hampshire country lanes to Farnborough for lunch. Highlight of the morning was when we stopped for a bar a Roadie passed us, Kate, who had been riding like peter sagan, quickly jumped on her bike and chased him and caught him, Sarah and Chris (with 2 heavy panniers) also chased him down, the poor guy had to turn off to hide his embarrassment!
For lunch we met Ray, Kane, Chris and Jason for lunch for the Wednesday "hungry horse special" £5 for a curry and a drink. The afternoons ride was completely different as we mainly rode upon tow paths of the Basingstoke canal, the Wey navigation and the Thames. Unfortunately the Strongbow Paula had soon took effect as she keeled over attempting to ride up to the Basingstoke canal tow path. Kate took sympathy as she decided to hit the deck (both apparently Brendan's fault!)
It was slow going in the aft, the Wey towpath was particularly sandy, but once we left the Thames path and headed towards Richmond park Chris (Fabian Cancellera) decided to cut through all the traffic and chase down every Roadie in the park, great fun, but the peloton was decimated.
We arrived in Parsons Green where we are staying in Emily's (Paula's neice) flat. Now eating ice cream and chilling after a great days ride.
Also a big thanks from Paula to Rachel who was a superstar today, taking 2 heavy panniers to allow Paula only to take one.
Today's stats
Distance 116.4k
Time 6.07.40
Average speed 18.9 k
Climb 596k
Total distance 135.2k
good start but as a non cycler can you explain to me..... what is a roadie and what is peloton?
ReplyDeleteA roadie is a serious cyclist on a road bike going fast. A peloton is a group of cyclists travelling together in a tight bunch.
ReplyDeletethankyou for your explanation
DeleteI am in awe - question for the Wisemans - pannier or backpack for our trip to Paris?
ReplyDeleteLiz here...cant believe I was in Richmond Park as you rode through!!!! Take care all...no more tumbles. xxxx
ReplyDeleteKeep the comments coming. Have finally got some good wifi. Richard travel as light as you can to Paris and definitely panniers. Other solution is to give your son the panniers!! But I know you are fitter than me and you will manage fine.
ReplyDeleteI now know how the lantern rouge feels! I am always pushing to keep up!! But the tortoise is managing fine chasing 5 hares. I keep trying to remind them it's not a race but they don't listen. So far I am very comfortable thanks to purchase of wonderful cycle shorts from Behind the bike shed in Andover. (I suppose I do have extra padding too!) bye for now x
Excellent. Just bought a bike bag and rack. Tested it on the road and it's perfect. Ted leaves me for dust on the hills but I claw it back down the other side. The extra weight has its advantages!
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