THE SHACK at Shackleford!
HERE WE GO!We travelled down the night before & stayed in Leatherhead Travelodge - as we checked out the start point there was monsoon conditions!
In the morning we congregated on the car park, with a general sense of anticipation as we got our bikes ready & put the bags in the correct van. First Olly (from AMR & cycling with us) then 'Tiny' (boss of 14 from discoveradventure) gave us a pep talk and we were on our way in groups of 30. In our group we had 134 cyclists with a grand total og >500 across the 5 routes!!
In cool grey conditions we slipped out of the suburbs and over the M25. Initially the roads were good but as the day progressed and the rain fell again the deterioration was dramatic. With old pot holes and copious fresh mud, grit and other debris these were some of the worst & most prolonged roads I have ever cycled.
In the mid section there was pucture carnage with bikes stopped every 50-100yds. Luke was first with a flat front, then Andy & I simultaneously had rear flats somewhere past Guildford.
There was time to chat & get to know some of our fellow riders. A slightly (generally) overweight 'coca-cola team stood out in their garish outfits.
Soon we were facing a long steep hill but once at the top could looks down onto Portsmouth, the Solent, and the Isle of Wight beyond. For once on the descent we could let go of the brakes & shoot down into town, meeting up at a park not far from the ferry terminal.
A few of us doubled back for a rewarding & satisfying Guinness!
Soonwe were checking onto the boat, enjoying a couple more beers as we steamed out of the terminal. A steak & chips supper was devoured and we retired to the shoe box sized but comfortable cabin. The shower was excellent and cleared alot of grime off our muddy legs
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