Another week, another challenge - fitting Tour of Britain spectating into a decent club ride and teastop.
18 up leaving the Drome, with Nick B keeping a 50m split on the road, we headed for Turners Hill past Tulley's.
The height gained and slight tailwind now worked in our favour most of the 25 mile to Billingshurst. Past High Beeches, Handcross and down to Lower Beeding. More downhill on a fast stretch of the A281 towards Horsham before the "normal" route through Southwater and on past Barns Green.
Keen-eyed tea-stop-spotters amongst you will notice this is the third one we're riding past. Roland headed home at this point (Brighton bound), while Andre's heart sank as he realised we weren't there yet!
After New Road to Stane Street, we joined the race-route-in-reverse. With plenty of spectators setting up to watch the race, the hammer was firmly dropped for the final thrash to Wisborough. A memorable 2.5 miles at 24mph.
Most got orders in before the race. The pictures tell it all.
Amazing watching the Police and National Escort Group riders leap frogging each other to create the rolling road block.
First the escape group, only 3 minutes up the road a this stage. Then the peleton with Movistar being left to it to do the chasing. Then the support cars.
Ten minutes later, back to archetypal sleepy English village with cricket match on the Green.
Gave us time to reflect on the ride so far. A breathless 37 miles at 19 mph.
Heading north via Ellens Green, Walliswood, Ockley and Capel at a slightly easier pace. Just under 66 miles total, 18+ mph average for most.
Another great group, good company and huge improvements for so many this year.