We're signed up to do the Wiggle New Forest ride on Sunday, so Saturday night we head down South to stay with friends Helen and Nigel. However, Helen forgot that she was away for the weekend, but Nigel very kindly looked after us, cooked us an amazing spaggy bol for Saturday night, then wonderful fresh eggs for breakfast from their own chickens.
We studied the route the night before and realised that the first feed station is at the 40 mile point! 40 miles ?! That's normally the distance of the whole ride! I'm nervous so have a second breakfast porridge pot when we arrive at the event.
This week's seasonal spring flower is the magnolia. The magnolia trees are looking magnificent this week and it's a good job I took this photo at the beginning of the ride, I'm sure by the end of the day the tree would be bald given the weather conditions we were about to face.
The New Forest is not unlike Ashdown Forest. There are no trees! I have never been to the New Forest before, I was expecting trees! However, it is mainly flat open moorland and lots of ponies. The first time I see them I jump off to take a picture. There was no need, there are hundreds of ponies everywhere along the route. I think there are more ponies than trees in the New Forest!
The main feature of today's ride is the absolute battering howling gales.
One of the toughest winds that I have ever cycled in. Even Stuart found it tough today. It felt like the winds were headwinds or crosswinds all the time, barely ever a tailwind to offer respite.
The toughest was the crosswinds as much of the route offered little shelter. We both found it a real battle to keep the bikes upright at times.
At the 30 mile point we stop for an emergency banana. (Stuart's amazing pannier ever ready with supplies)
At the 40 mile point we arrive at the feed station and I'm quite chuffed that we are not the last to arrive. Pretty damn near the back, but not last!
On offer are power bars and flapjacks. Not an ideal Sunday lunch, but it will have to do. I had noticed at the beginning of the ride huge frying pans ready to cook up amazing concoctions for tired cyclists. I'm guessing they may have sold out by the time we get there, but the thought of a fry up keeps me going.
The ride is fairly flat today, but as you will see there is one big bastard hill on the route. And it really was a bastard. I see Stuart steadily climbing the hill up ahead, but the next 4 riders gradually one by one get off the bikes and push up the hill. Psychologically, this is tough to see when you are really struggling up a hill. However, I grit my teeth, and despite my speed dropping to about 3 mph, my thighs burning like crazy and my heart feeling like it is going to explode, I don't get off the bike. At the top I feel victorious, but have to stop and gaspingly gradually recover. The 4 walking cyclists arrive at the top of the hill, remount their bikes and head off into the distance.
As a speed strategy I don't think I chose the best option. However, I feel the moral victory is mine!
There are several photographers along the route today. This one captured a picture of me before I realised he was there, so this picture reflects the real look of concentration on my face.
However, most of the photos I look like this, as once I spot a photographer I flash them my cheesiest "I'm enjoying this" grin!
Stuart and his magic pannier are looking pretty comfortable at this stage.
We finished the 71 mile ride at an average speed of 10.5mph. Although this feels great, it is a little disheartening at the end of the ride that we are so late, the promised music is obviously over and the frying pans are not just empty, they have been packed away.
No carbs to refuel the very depleted stores here.
But luckily we decide to stop in the first village that we pass, and frankly we will eat whatever we find. Fortunately, we use an illuminated bicycle as a basis to guide us to the best restaurant in town!
Result - whelk and prawn chowder and it is fantastic!
Although the ride is through a beautiful area and I am delighted to have ridden 71 miles, I'm not convinced that I actually enjoyed this ride as it was such a battle with the wind. However, the pain in my hands and arms from having to hold the bike so strongly to stop being blown off did eclipse the pain in my legs, so that's a plus I suppose!
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