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@Ludd
Apologies to Ramaye for not having recognised you when you sat opposite me at pre-ride coffee time and I coughed all over the place - you weren't in a trilby is my excuse.
Headed off with Jurek and Sgt Pluck at about 9.15 but soon found myself riding up into town with a small group including a black white and green curbside and a couple of road bikes - my hideous yellow Rockhopper Comp was a bit out of place but it muched up the pave very happily.
There's something delightful about following a route with so many twists and turns - I relied happily on a combination of having done a bit of homework, keeping an eye out for the arrows (big thanks to the signage team!) and remembering some sections from last year.
Honor Oak Park, Canonbie and Eliot Bank held no surprises and were taken slowly. Wells Park Road and Fox Hill, on the other hand, are roads I've never cycled up before and they were tough - despite stupid low gearing I really struggled up them. Well worth it though, for the final descent to the pub where a pint of Bombardier in the sun was the perfect finish after three and a half hours on the road.
Head definitely sunburnt!