So, whilst Hugo, Ian and Simon were doing Mosquito/Londoncyclesport proud at the National Cyclocross Champs (Hugo 6th in the Juniors, fantastic result) I was plugging away round some distinctly mucky Kentish lanes in the company of the other participants of the Old Portilian’s Reliability Trial.
Distinctly ‘old-school’ it was too. None of the gloss of the Sportive, just pay your five pounds, slurp down a cup of tea and away you go for 100km of lumpy riding in the company of riders a lot fitter than oneself (in my case).I had the company of team mates Matt and Iain for the first 20k or so until Matt punctured which left me hanging onto the the wheels of the fast bunch I had foolishly attached myself to. Not for long though, once the hills got longer I was ‘out the back’ and on my own and feeling pretty lousy. So for 30k or so I trudged along on my own, hauling myself over the Ashdown climb and on into Edenbridge where Matt and Iain rejoined me. Good to see them but on the other hand I also knew it meant trying to hang on again rather than suffering on my own and as the dreaded Toys Hill loomed

I knew there would be plenty of suffering ahead. Matt kindly waited at the top of the climb and we rode in together to the Village Hall for bacon rolls and cake – perfect post-ride recovery food!
A good day and good company. Pity my legs hurt so much the next day though

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