For the first time in weeks the Wayfarers Wheelers Etape quartet of Chris, Pete, Simon and Steve were together again for what will really be the last big ride before the Etape. Chris had been off time trialling in recent weekends while the others had been doing fast shorter rides.
The route had been carefully planned to take in just about every hill we knew, mostly in ascent but some to descend too! This really was a Wayfarers Wheelers "classic" having been attempted before but never finished, there had always been an excuse not to do the final few hills.
After a Hilly start up White Hill out of Kingsclere and then up to Hannington there was some fast descending and a relatively flat section before the pull up Stoke Hill out of St Mary Bourne. Steve didn't make a great start to the climb as he slipped and fell off on some loose gravel at the turn before the hill. Then there was another downhill and then fairly flat section until the long ascent to Chute Causeway started. This out of the way, the route meandered towards Shalbourne, with a brief stop to take on board water, then Ham and probably the steepest climb of the route, Ham Hill.
After this it was onto Linkenholt and then a few further climbs; up from Coombe, down to Faccombe and back up to Faccombe again, Pete was heard to say "this is masochistic" at this point! then the final climb to Ashmansworth with a fast descent to North End and home.
This took a total of 4:52, so a pace of 14.8 mph for the 72 miles and 5229 feet of climbing.
We are as ready as we will ever be for the big challenge on 18th July!
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