Cycling for fun.

A really enjoyable spin through the Surrey hills today with my friend and 'etape veteran' Tom

The route took us on a nice warm-up spin from Cranleigh to Ewhurst, then a steady climb up to Peaslake. Another climb along Radnor Rd and a short flat-ish section brought us to the foot of White Downs Lane. Managed to stay on the middle chainring all the way up today, which was a improvement on my last attempt.

Below is Tom winching his way up the final 18% section:

A fun, if slippery descent down Ranmore followed, then a leisurely ascent of Box Hill.

A happy Tom, Lee and their reward:

Descending Box was great fun - the surface they laid for the Olympics is super-grippy. After that, it was the long climb up Ranmore, and just about every bump in Surrey. The final climb up Hound House Rd had both of us on our chinstraps and desperately looking for the top of the climb.

After that, it was a lovely descent in the afternoon sun back to Cranleigh for tea and medals.

Stats were: 63kms ridden and 1100m climbed.

But it wasn't about numbers today, it was just about getting time in the saddle and enjoying it. Because come the new year, training won't be quite as much fun.