Final Group Training Weekend (Part 1) - Saturday 23rd May

The bank holiday weekend was the last opportunity to get a few miles under the belt as a large group. We decided to try and replicate what we will have to endure on the big ride itself!! It was either going to boost our confidence or our fear levels!

The riders were: Jo, Adam, Rich, Karim, Feisal, Ali, Dave, James, Sam, Jez & Matt



The plan was to cycle 50 miles from Richmond Park in London to The White Horse in Hascombe, via Chiddingfold....a glorious ride out through Kingston, Hampton, Esher, Cobham & East Horsley and up into the Surrey Downs through Shere, Shamley Green, Bramley & Hascombe. A broken brake block, 8 punctures, a change of bike and a broken spoke later, we arrived safely at The White Horse for lunch!! Only an hour and a half behind schedule! There we were joined by other members of the Hutchins/Maltby family (Briony, Chloe, Giles, Ollie, George and little Freddie, our youngest supporter!!).

It was a glorious day, and a pub lunch in the garden was just what we all needed.

Lunch at The White Horse (a firm favourite of Jim's) after 45 miles!

In comparison to the morning, the second half of the ride back to London was positively straight forward, although the puncture monkey continued to plague us throughout!! We arrived back in Richmond Park at around 7:30pm!

Total mileage: circa 80 miles