Farnham 50......Again - Charity Bike Ride 7th July 2013

Weekends were generally very busy during the summer, with regular club rides on Sunday mornings and other 'events' to tempt cyclists who relish a challenge.

After a rather slow Farnham 50 in 2012 (unselfishly riding at a friends pace), I was determined to give myself the challenge of doing this ride in 3 hours. Last year's ride never really warmed up for me, not helped by cool temperatures and the odd shower. This year the contrast couldn't have been greater: very warm, dry and still with the temperature at midday hitting the 29 degrees marker. Over this lovely but moderately lumpy route, it was clearly going to be a tough one in such heat.

Taking only one stop of about 3 minutes for replenishment of water and some delicious home made  flapjack, I managed (in actual riding time) 3 hours and 2 minutes. Quite pleased with that.  

Weirdly coincidental was the fact that my rider number was.......


                                       

Met, briefly, some friends who were doing the 25 mile circuit.   

Me and Steve shortly after starting in Farnham. Look at the state of those roads!

The Farnham Ride web site states that ''A total of 973 riders entered the 2013 Farnham Charity Bike Ride, 180 more (23%) than 2012. The new 16-mile route proved very popular attracting 162 riders, whilst 340 opted for the challenging 50-mile route''

Just a week after returning from my London to Paris ride, it seemed appropriate to get a similar finishing shot upon the return to Waggoner's Yard!

A great day was made complete at the post ride BBQ in the garden of a friends house. Frequent trips were made from Garden to lounge to watch Andy Murray fight his way to Wimbledon victory.