An Overseas Adventure
by Mic FloreyPete, Geoff and Harve left earlier in the day and Kevin picked me up at 17:00 for our 126 mile drive to the New Forest.We had a straight run down except for a 5 minute hold up within .5 of a mile of our destination of Stoney Cross. We,d rang the others,who,d arranged for our evening meal in nearby Lyndhurst, name of pub unknown, but very good. I had 3 Cumberland sausages,mashed potatoe,peas and onion gravy,it went down a treat even after my early afternoon pasta loading blowout! After a desert it was back to the hotel for a very few hours sleep,luckily we had 3 separate beds and so I didn,t have to up-set Kevin or Pete by choosing which one to sleep with,result,because,if I,m honest they,re both a bit too hairy for my liking.
I was up at 04:30,the others at 05:30,after breakfast,rice pudding for Pete,bagels,honey and bananas for kevin and I, we loading the cars for our short trip to the start at Brokenhurst College.Signing in was pain free and on receiving a box of High 5 gels and powders it was off to the ferry at Lymington.it was a head down butt up blast averaging 20 mph for the 15 mile trip,a bit too fast for my liking,and I was thinking if it stayed this fast I,d have to bail and take the shorter standard route instead of the epic.
We landed a Yarmouth after a short crossing.A very picturesque little town,nothing like a large ferry port usually is, after a very chilly start, gillets and arm warmers,it started to warm up nicely and we were soon flying along,overtaking everyone and being passed by no-one,until that is that dreadful shout of “puncture” for Harve.I hung around for a bit then said I,d ride ahead as the pace had still been a bit fierce,I was expecting them to catch me fairly quickly,but by the 1st feed I was still out on my own,as I left I was constantly looking over my shoulder waiting for the cars and motorbikes to be pulled out as they bridged the gap [been watching to much Tour de France]
After the feed it began to get hilly and the roads were heavy going.A few miles later and still not seeing the others I thought that they must have had more punctures or problems [Geoff had flatted and Kevin had gone "off piste" after missing a route arrow] After a long drag up to the 2nd feed I started to think that I might get the lone breakaway to work,a long long section of flat into a strong headwind and a very necessary natural break had me still looking over my shoulder for the rampaging chasing group to appear over the horizon.The whole 6+ miles on this road and I hadn,t seen another rider in front or behind and I seriously started to think I,d made a wrong turn and would have to ask directions from someone,luckily a junction came up with a welcome arrow directing me on-wards and up-wards,because as I turned the corner I saw a long line of cyclists snaking up into the distance.I shouldn,t have looked as I could see that after climbing once it went back down and up again! I pointed this out to a rider as I passed and swear he burst into tears!
After the decent,ascent and further decent I gave a little cheer as I entered Freshwater,I turned north and it all went quite….no more headwind but a glorious tailwind. I,d expected a fair few miles to go,but,cresting a small rise I was more than happy to see the sea,masts and then the ferry, another couple of minutes and I was back at the timing station sitting on the grass eating jelly beans,heaven on earth, job done, I kept forgetting though that once off the ferry and back on the mainland it was another hour of riding to the finish.I was waiting for 20 minutes before the other 4 came in led by Harve. Just as they arrived we were advised that we could get on the next ferry thay was leaving shortly,excellent timing,no waiting around.
We dis-embarked,went through the timing station and girded our loins for the last few miles, Kevin took a flyer and missed the 2 prominent arrows directing us left, I stopped to ring him, but had no network coverage and messed about for 10 minutes trying to get a signal,no luck,so I reluctantly left him to his fate,and once again rode on my own to the finish,catching quite a few of the slower riders as I did. Rolling into the finish at last,I was treated to the sight of Kevin eating an ice cream! [he,d still managed to do the same distance as us,only on different roads] I did get one too though,a very welcome and good idea by the Wiggle guys,also got another goody bag.
After getting freshened up we all met in the hall for tea and cake and a bit of a bollocking for me for not waiting at the 1st feed,we soon made up though and it was time to leave and head for home. I found it to be a really tough day out,but I came home with more gels than I,d gone with so it was a winner for me.Thanks to Geoff for all the organising of the entries,hotel and evening meal booking.A very rewarding weekend away.Next stop, the Rounde de Picardie,can,t wait……….