Well, the month got off to a really good start, with me having to spend the first week in the hospital! After the cellulitis that I’d contracted at the end of last month never healed up.
After spending the first week of the month in hospital. The second week things turned back to normal. With work on the weekdays. Well, for 3 or 4 of them anyway and then out on the bike at the weekend!
My first-weekend ride was to Southborough, just north of Tunbridge Wells. And as normal I sent out my daily email. Only on the Sunday when I arrived home I fell asleep and never sent one out. In fact, I’ve only just found it! So I thought I’d include it here instead with a link to the previous day’s email, so it might make a little bit more sense! Saturday 12th March.
Sunday 13th March. Southborough to Bognor Regis. 67 miles.
After rescuing Passepartout from the rubbish heap this morning. I left the hotel, not really knowing which way I was going to go home. But after a bit of faffing decided which way I was going.
After coming through Crowborough yesterday and mentioning that it was the second-highest point in Sussex and that Ditchling Beacon was the highest. I decided that I would go via Ditchling and go over the beacon just to see how bad it is or isn’t! I know when the London to Brighton charity cycle run is on, they go over it. And everybody says how bad it is. Although granted, most of them are none cyclists and it is towards the end of their 60-mile bike ride.
Well, I managed to get over it without having to stop, and I didn’t find it too bad. Yes, it’s a bit steep, and it goes on for a bit, but it’s not that bad. I can, however, see that if you’re not a cyclist or you don’t cycle much. It would be rather hard!
As I was going up, one or two of the lycra brigade passed me. And with fare due to them, they did say good luck to me, which drove me not to stop! Once at the top, there was the Lycra brigade resting. I just carried on riding without stopping. I don’t really see the point. You can rest on the way down.
A word of warning for any readers taking on the London to Brighton charity cycle ride. After coming over Ditchling Beacon, don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s downhill all the way to Brighton Seafront. It isn’t! You only go down for a short distance before there’s another hill that you have to go up, which, for any cyclist, can be a bit soul-destroying. But once that’s conquered you can sit back and enjoy freewheeling all the way to the finish line on Brighton seafront.
A Bike Ride With Julie
The following weekend was Julie’s weekend off. So, on Saturday, we went for a bike ride from Portsmouth to Southampton along the National Cycle Route 2. On Sunday we went to London as there were a couple of shops that I wanted to go to. This time on foot, as I always find it awkward with the bike. Finding somewhere to lock it up is a bit of a nightmare!
The first shop to visit was Stanford’s to get some maps for future trips. Not that I’m going far this year, what with work and, more importantly, my Vicky’s wedding in September. I don’t think I’d be very popular if I missed that! But hopefully, next year!
After visiting a couple of other shops and having supper in Chinatown, we made our way back to the train station on foot as it’s really not that far, and it’s what we always used to do. It really wasn’t a good idea. I was in a lot of pain and discomfort!
I really struggle to get my head around things sometimes; I can ride my bike for miles and not be in any pain whatsoever. In fact, I forget just how bad my back is. Yet, as soon as I try and do some walking, that’s it: pain and discomfort return!
The walk in London really didn’t do me any favours, and I struggled the following week at work. Well, for the two day’s work that I did! So I went away again to the New Forest and the Isle of Wight for a day or two.
Hopefully, now the clocks have gone forward and the days are getting longer, there’ll be plenty more cycle camping, even if it is only for the weekend!
