Re:
Right you lot, now I've worked out how to get photos back on here, I'll post today's ride.
Leaving work around 9.30 this morning, on a technically bloody hot day I thought I'd work on my cycling tan.
So from Storrington I go west, along quiet country lanes to Watersfield and a quick photo by a lake nearby.
Hot ride, sorting out my cycling tan! by
Mike Murray, on Flickr
Look, it's hard to get a photo of me and the bike AND the lake. But it's there, honest!
Yes, I fancied an Italian theme today! Anyway, onward I went, still westbound, and across the A285 just south of Petworth, turning left then right towards Graffham, last time I was here, I met up with a fellow R/Ber and we did a bit of riding.
Hot ride, sorting out my cycling tan! by
Mike Murray, on Flickr
I always have a rear light, but not today, ridiculous though it sounds, I wanted to show off my newly blinged aero seatpost :facepalm: . I usually have a Flite ti saddle on this bike, but keeping in mind the minimum insert for the post, I had to slum it with this Rolls Titanio
IMG_3047 by
Mike Murray, on Flickr
so in the dappled light I did feel a bit vulnerable at times.
Anyway, still westbound, kept drinking ( I rarely drink enough ) using the computer to have a glug every ten minutes. Went through the small lanes to Cocking, onto the A286 and heading south towards Chichester. Turning left at Singleton, upwards I headed towards Goodwood racecourse. The Trundle it's called apparently, was a bit steep at the start, at least for my 39x23 gear, before easing to a more gradual climb to the racecourse.
Then much to my relief, it was time to go down :shock: to the motor circuit, and 11ses, of course!
A few photos of my stop. To be honest I could have stayed here a bit longer! Watching some Herberts racing around the circuit!
IMG_20190629_112702 by
Mike Murray, on Flickr
Hot ride, sorting out my cycling tan! by
Mike Murray, on Flickr
Think it's a McLaren but I'm not sure, going a bit quick. Anyway it looks like an Opal Fruit (Retro!) uncomfortable and you can't get a bike in it, so no good for me!
Hot ride, sorting out my cycling tan! by
Mike Murray, on Flickr
I raced around here in the late '90s, on a Roberts. Made to measure and tubing to match my HUGE power, it was still cheaper than a basic Bianchi frameset, I was dead jealous of those that had them, I just loved the look. So now I'm back 20 years later with my own. Sadly too old and knackered to do it justice though! :facepalm:
Hot ride, sorting out my cycling tan! by
Mike Murray, on Flickr
So eventually after about an hour and a couple of drinks I dragged myself away, and heading back home into a bit of a headwind. Not strong, and a bit of a welcome in the heat.
Along to Halnaker, heading towards Duncton, I knew that somewhere up here there would be a right turn that would take me towards Slindon. I spotted a sign towards Greatham and consulted my non retro phone map, before taking this new, narrow, quiet road towards the aforementioned, knowing I was heading to Slindon. Nice to find new roads, isn't it?!
Here's a photo of Slindon pond. Lovely here . . . . .
IMG_20190629_124216 by
Mike Murray, on Flickr
But no cafe, so I didn't stop long!
Across the main road to Walberton, and heading south to Ford, then Littlehampton. Over the footbridge,
Hot ride, sorting out my cycling tan! by
Mike Murray, on Flickr
And through the town. Messing up my average, but I really wasn't bothered, it's more interesting and less dangerous than taking the main A259 all the way home. Through Rustington and East Preston, where I had to stop for ages for the railway crossing. But it allowed me a few minutes to stretch, so not all bad.
Then back home for a quick shower and into town for well deserved lunch, albeit at around 2.30!
Hot ride, sorting out my cycling tan! by
Mike Murray, on Flickr
Sorry if this was a bit long, I do tend to witter on, don't I! Not a super long ride, around 75km, but a really enjoyable one.
Mike