But instead of staying in bed, you know what RCC folk are like. If it ain't raining, it ain't training! We started out with Andy, new joiner (and triathlete) Paul, Rachel, Liz, Ian, Rick and Stuart. The latter three never made it to the photo. Most sensibly of all (given his attendance at the Kidds Toys audax the following day), Ian turned off for a cuppa at Tanhouse about 14 miles in. Sensible because it was on the drag up to Rusper that the heavens really opened.
A conflab at the shop at Rusper saw us carry on towards Faygate (as Rachel wisely said: "Well, I'm already wet") but then Stuart and Rick turned back to the warm sanctuary of Tanhouse just past Lambs Green. The 'then there were five' decided against the long route to Tulleys but ploughed on at a good pace via the High Beeches shorter path. And got seriously wet. Yes, the heavens really opened and you know that feeling when you can feel the water under your foot with every pedal press?
On arrival at Tulleys however, we were undercover for a truly monumental downpour (sorry for anyone who was still out in that!) and discussing ways of drying items by unusual methods... like dangling gloves into a dyson airblade (quite effective).
As with the whole morning, it stopped before we set off again and headed for home at a rasping pace that pushed the average up nicely. By the time we were past Old Hollow and zooming back towards Smallfield, it was positively toasty... steam was rising from each member of the speedy peloton.
Home to the Drome with exactly 40 miles on the clock and an average of 15.8mph (most of that added on the final 12 miles). Thanks to Andy for expert backmarking as ever and taking a nice long turn at the front as well. Chapeau to Liz and Rachel for strong riding as ever... and Paul, great company and a strong rider... a new rock for RCCT soon.
Cheers all!
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