93 miles !!!! seemed like a good idea when I entered months ago!
Considering I hadn't ridden that distance since I rode across Australia in 2001, I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew!!!
I went to bed Saturday night secretly hoping that it would be raining so hard in the morning that I would have an excuse not to ride!!! Well it wasn't raining in the morning but it was very windy as I made my way to Burgess Hill to the start [ by van as I didn't want to add even more miles!!!] .
Once I got signed in there was turning back and before I knew it I was on my way. After about 5 miles it was time to tackle Ditchling Beacon, followed by a fast descent down Coldean Lane. Then it was up Coombe Road , Bear Road and onto the coast road through to Newhaven before heading inland via Lewes.
The route then took us out to Laughton and continued through various villages and MANY hills heading towards Mayfield. At one point following the "arrow signs" I took a right turn and after about two miles of going down a lovely hill I realised that I hadn't seen another "arrow sign" and my fears were confirmed when I saw a sign post for Battle and Hastings!!!
A quick consultation with my map and I had to ride another two miles back up the same hill I had just flew down!! As I passed the turning I had previously come out of I realised that the wind had turned the "arrow sign" completely the opposite way!!! [ or did I have a C.R.A.F.T. moment!!] Oh well I thought what's another 4 miles on top of 93.!!!!
I soon forgot my mishap and was making my way to the timing chip
check point at Mayfield. A quick pit stop here and then it was only
another 30 odd miles back to Burgess Hill!!! The hills and wind had
been relentless so far and the same pattern continued all the way
back to Burgess Hill and the finish.
My riding time was 6hrs 53mins 41secs which gave me a Silver Standard, missing out on the Gold by approximately 10 mins, which I reckon was the extra 4 miles I done!!!!
Del