First day of 3 by 3 rides and three weeks tonight I'm under canvas!

It's Day -22 ... Crikey!

At 8:45 this morning the RAB training team comprised Clive, Hugh, Viv, Kim, Andy, Matt and myself at Tulley's Farm all ready for the first of three rides in three days. Today's ride was the 64 mile circular route starting at Tulley's Farm, not far from Crawley, and heading off anti-clockwise to take in Hurstpierpoint before ascending Ditchling Beacon to the car park at the top and then descending to continue on to Wivelsfield where lunch was arranged.

The forecast suggested that there might be rain during the early part of the ride so rain jackets were taken along with all the usual back pocket items of bananas, pumps, gels and so on. As it turned out the cloud cover lasted till mid morning then cleared to allow the sun to shine and the temperature to soar by early afternoon. We did not complain as two weeks ago when this route was last ridden the rain had lashed down and the soaked riders sat on old towels in the pub munching on sandwiches. This time we sat outside and enjoyed the warm sun while downing large quantities of the ribena and orange squash provided.

Discussions on the ride of course focused on our preparations for RAB including items to pack or purchases still to make. Advice was offered and support and encouragement given so essential to the success of the team rather than thoughts of any individual effort. This has been and will be a team event and a rider slipping off the back of the group is waited for and returned to the pack before pedals are pushed down hard again.

As we rode today we tried to keep to a RAB pace of about 13 1/2 miles per hour but some with fresher legs in the group rode a bit harder so the rest were happy to sit on the wheel and let them pull us along. Today I was keeping the pedals spinning by regularly using the small chainring on any incline and remained seated when climbing but still felt fresh and ready for a challenge so at the beacon pressed on ahead of the group and was surprised to see that I had PR'd by 2 seconds on that Strava segment as compared to my time back in July. Note that two weeks ago it had been in heavy rain and we rode up against a strong headwind and the time was much much slower as a result. Other climbs today had also been an improvement on previous rides so even with staying seated the fitness was better and the climbing quicker.

The ride time was just over 4 1/2 hours and moving time a little over 4 hours and we were soon back at Tulley's Farm. There was a last mile dash to the farm but I was content to cruise back. This was was not without a final drama to remind me of the caution required when riding particularly when tired. The entrance to the car park is strewn with gravel and as I turned in the front wheel lost grip and slid sideways, I knew the bike was going from under me and my panic rose at the prospect of the expected road rash and bike and kit damage that goes with such a fall. Also the prospect of the group seeing me in such a condition. However completely unexpectedly I recovered the slide, kept the bike upright and avoided the fall but it was a welcome reminder that a careless moment is so easily encountered.

So the ride was over and we were soon heading off in various directions including a few of us to Evans Cycles warehouse in Crawley to browse or shop for some essentials which in my case were replacement fingerless mits.

So tomorrow is day 2 of 3 and will be the regular Bigfoot CC Saturday morning ride from Hayes village hall but three weeks tonight will be the first night under canvas in the base camp in Cornwall. It's getting so close now.