The Easter Weekend

Easter last year we were in Wales, riding in the Builth Merida 100 in bright sunshine, 24 degrees on dry and hard packed trails. It was pretty perfect.

This time round, the forecast was rain, showers, blustery winds and then the possibility of sunny periods in-between more showers. Not the best weather to enjoy over the four day Bank Holiday but, with family commitments, we wouldn't be going far anyway.

With only a week to go before the twice-postponed knee operation, I had an urgent date with the garage roof and with no prospect of settled weather I just had to get on with it. We decided to try and sort it out on the first day, despite the forecast. An early start saw Molly and I out there and only four hours later, the old roof was off and the new one was pretty much watertight. Teamwork at it's best and, once again, what would I do without my little helper ! One of my more interesting photographs ...



Then the heavens opened and I spent the last hour in the rain finishing off - but we had the weekend's main job ticked off by mid afternoon. Result ...

On Saturday we were off to see Molly's parents but I rode there. Molly dropped me at Selmeston and I rode up Bo Peep Lane onto the South Downs (in the distance below) and then along the ridge, following the South Downs Way, and down into Alfriston. From there it is another climb up Windover Hill (where the picture below is taken from) and then down into Jevington. Through the village on the SDW and then back up another climb to the top again, past the golf course and, finally down into Eastbourne. I then had any easy spin along the seafront and down the coast to Pevensey Bay. All this during a settled period in the weather, no rain, good visibility and pretty dry trails (for the time of year). About 20 miles and just shy of 2000' of climbing.

We also had one of our major golf competitions on this weekend. Two strokeplay rounds to be played over any two days. I had chosen the last two days to play in order to make sure I had the work done at home. Needless to say I was a little hacked off when the course was closed on Sunday after torrential overnight rain and a late pitch inspection - not as hacked off as the guys who had played well on Friday and Saturday and found out that, as a result of the closure, the competition had been cancelled too! So, Sunday morning also became available to start cleaning out and tidying up the newly re-roofed garage and it also gave us the chance of a quick local road circuit on the bikes. It was only a bit over an hour, but had three climbs (one a bit 'stiff') and it will be a good early morning circuit before work as the mornings get lighter.

I played golf on Monday anyway and, with no pressure, nothing at stake and no money to win, I managed to play to a handicap of 8 ! What a waste of a good round and typical that I am playing quite well just before I go into hospital and have to have a few weeks off.

Next weekend - Molly and I have two Yeti ASR 5's booked for a test ride on the North Downs followed by the monthly medal at golf. Can't wait (for both), but what's the chance of another good round and some glory ?