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@JAH_tim
Greetings an love to each and every one....,
Well I've Dun it again.
I've just read through people's match reports so here is a little one of my own.
I do look forward so much to this ride. It goes through Suffolk where I grew up many years ago, so it is like a sort of home-coming thing for me.
I have done this for three years on the trot and so this year was ready well in advance. Lincoln at al @ Brixton Cycles had sorted my bike so there were no last minute panics. I had advance warning that despite the terrific heat in Babylon- don that it was going to be cooler on the coast. Anyway... got down to London Fields at about 8 pm and saw many a LFGSS cap on show. I always do this ride on my own as I can only do something this long at my own pace. So I just headed of with everyone else. As usual one of my DD highlights is the lovely Peter Carter and the Whipps Cross massive cheering everyone along - greetings Peter...
In the first few miles I have this sense of great excitement and also being a little bit terrified. Once past Epping (and I'm not going to diss Essex, Peter...) it soon quietens down, except this year there seemed to be just so many riders. Eg got to I think Moreton and it was a complete roadblock with everyone stopping for a pit-stop. Then again at Great Bardfield - complete roadblock again. I always stop for a rest at Finchingfield as it is quiet, the pub is open and I have by then clocked up 60 miles. Then we really did hit a roadblock at Sible Hedingham for the roadworks. I felt quiet tired at this point, but once you are locked on to following the red lights you just carry on - it is like a drug.
Had another stop beyond Sudbury to check on my family and then felt much better as I set off for the final 50 miles. As I left there it started to rain, so on came the plastic bag over the turban (yes, it's the accessories that make an outfit...) . 4.18 am suddenly the dawn chorus arrives. Then the day arrives and soon the need to lights goes and as the villages come and go you know you are nearly there. I always find crossing the A12 is a great milestone and then the Darsham , Westleton run in is just a pleasure whilst all those memories of a great night in the saddle flash through my mind, along with the need to give thanks that I have been lucky and made it this far (on the ride and in life in general).
The drizzle had subsided by this point, so mercifully in case the fashion police were out and about, the plastic bag came off.
As I rolled in to Dunwich I was met by cheering locals and a full line up of CS Gruppetta riders sitting on the pavement - what a great sight. I then rolled to outside the pub, to be met with a shout of 'do a skid' - the icing on the LFGSS cake - give thanks...
Well done to everyone who completed this ride. It is a magic ride, but it is a long way, so well done....
Also a massive thanks to everyone who said hello as you passed me - shouts like that in the middle of the night keep you going.... give thanks....
Also big shout to Oliver, Skully and everyone else who gives their time and effort for us punters.
I then sat on the beech to think about things - er it was rather bracing, then I was met by my family who came to pick me up. As I saw them appear over the pebble banks, it brings such joy to the heart.
Now I'm not in to times, garmins, gps and all that. But just as a slight nod to that sort of thing. My legs go round 227 times per mile, I did 127.05 miles, so that means my legs went round 28,840.35 times. They have been reminding me of this fact today.
So in conclusion - well done everyone. Never again, see you next year.
Allez TEAM LFGSS.
Peace, love and guidance,
Tim