London to Brighton - again

[HeyWayne]

Did a great bit of off-roading this weekend. No stress, just fresh air, open tracks and brother-in-law to keep me company. Cycling Workout | Endomondo

[bearded bloke]

Wow,looking at the graph you go faster off road on your cycle than I go in my 4x4

[Florence Fennel]

He's a little bit younger than you BB

[HeyWayne]

To be honest, it's tricky to tell the difference between on/off-road in some places.

Wow,looking at the graph you go faster off road on your cycle than I go in my 4x4

[HeyWayne]

Well, Chris (brother-in-law) and I set off from Clapham Common yesterday morning along with thousands of others. We pedalled our way down through the outskirts of London stop-starting at traffic light and various other junctions. T'was a bit chilly, but after about an hour or so, you soon forgot about it. Then through leafy Surrey and on through Sussex we rode. Making it up every hill we faced, and speeding down every downhill with vigour. We saw two unfortunate souls en-route who were either the victims of circumstance, or their own stupidity - both were being stretchered off in ambulances.

Despite the niggling cramp that Chris had, and the sore buttocks that two hefty lads are bound to experience when perched upon a surface area 1/3 the size of an A4 sheet of paper we did ok, and didn't stop once. Covering mile after mile - taking it easy on the ups, and having a blast on the downs (gravity and momentum are our allies on the downhills).

As we approached the South Downs in the distance Chris turned to me and said "I haven't got much left in the tank". We stopped for the first time at foot of Ditchling Beacon and had a quick comfort break.

I warned him that this is a "killer hill" (no pun intended, at the time, but one guy unfortunately did die halfway up it last year), and just to take it easy and see how you get on. Chris had reservations about how he'd do, and I was worried that I'd not make it as my lower gears were playing up, and I had no 1st gear.

Off we set, and after about 100 yards Chris called "see you at the top". "OK!" I yelled, and ploughed on.

Made it to the top, sweaty and gasping, and called LadyWayne to tell her I'd made it and that we'd be with them in about 20 mins (she, Bean, Chris's fiancee and 8 month old daughter were all at the finish line along with my bro and mum).

Chris eventually came up the hill pushing his bike and we then made our descent into Brighton.

As I rounded the last turn and started down toward the finish line I spotted our families at the side and made my way over - Bean was shouting and looked very excited. I high-fived my brother and then carried on up to the line, got my medal and bottle of water and made my way through the crowds back down to where Bean and LadyWayne were waiting.

A great father's day again, thanks to all the folks who help organise, marshall and support this great event. Special thanks to the family that cyclerists use their garden for refreshments, toilets (portaloos I hasten to add) and generally help weary folk before they hit the Beacon.

If anyone wants to see our route, have a look here: Cycling Workout | Endomondo

Anyone who would still like to sponsor us, then please visit here: British Heart Foundation - Wayne Wheeled Wobblers Fundraising Page

Thanks again - and look out for us next year...(maybe)

[Florence Fennel]

Very well done Wayne and Chris, thank you!

[HeyWayne]

Thanks Flo - and thanks for your kind donation. You and all the other generous Grapes who've donated, all goes to a very good cause. If I haven't emailed you with the full rundown it's because I haven't got your email address (JustGiving doesn't store/send them for me).