Training Log Archive: Ollie

Petersfield to Amberley, offroad on the South Downs Way. Hot/humid, so nice and slow. Time is moving-time, actually took nearly an hour longer, including stops.

I'd been meaning to do this route for almost a day - it's almost entirely off road once you hit the way 3 miles south of Petersfield, but the track surface was great and even the long uphill sections were a pleasure. The route crosses just four roads, and the three mile continous downhill section at the end was sheer bliss. The route clings to the side of the steep ridge on the north side of the south downs - in places it zig-zags up the steepest hill. I was happy to not have to push my bike up any of the route, except one short 10m section where I had tired myself out zooming up for the benefit of some fellow wayers.

Probably the most amount of climb I've ever cycled in a day. I was guestimating 400m of climb, even after the day, so was amazed when I measured it off the map.

I met a few stragglers from a marathon, going in the opposite direction, and passed direction signs and mile markers for the race, every once in a while. In fact, my route was very similar to the marathon, just in reverse. I would have not liked doing the marathon on such a hot and humid day! See http://www.209events.com/event.php?event=33 for the details.

I might do this route again, maybe starting a little earlier on the route. 26 miles is really not a lot for a day's biking, but you definitely need to take it slowly when the temperature goes above 30C.

Home to Waterloo via library, then later Blackfriars to home.