Chase The Sun Ride, 20-06-2015

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As promised here are some pictures and brief description of his truly epic ride from David;

 

Chase the sun is a free entry ride with a simple concept. The ride starts in Sheerness at sun up 0439hrs and you have to ride to Burnham on Sea on the North Dorset Coast and arrive before sun down 2130hrs. It is a self navigating and supporting ride of 206 miles with approximately 9000ft of climbing.
My lift dropped me off at the Abbey Hotel, Sheernes in time for the 0415hrs sign on, other cyclists were arriving or being off loaded from support vehicles and vans around 300 or so were expected. The ride would be starting a few yards down the road on The Leas, so it was time for an up and coming sunrise photo. The first part of the ride we went on our way to South London, via Gillingham, Rochester, Chiselhurst, by this time I was pretty much riding solo. Dissecting South London, through Bromley, Crystal Palace and Wandsworth, having little or no traffic to deal with it was quite pleasant and a quick comfort break at the top of crystal palace gave me the opportunity to see into central London. My route took a detour through Richmond park, then it was onto my first support stop at Sunbury on Thames at 68 Miles. My support driver/Soigneur for the day was my partner Kathy, having driven up at a more sociable hour to meet at 0900. Refuelled and exiting London I was heading to familiar country from my Army days, then on through Hampshire and Wiltshire with further support stops at 100 Miles Bramley and 136 Miles Pewsey. Photo opportunity was the Alton Barns White Horse (1812) upon the highest hill in Wiltshire. So cracking on, now well into the niggling head wind and heading to Woolveton for my final support stop at 166 Miles. The final 40 Miles were a drag now coming into the Mendip hills and still the headwind, but a reward was the blast down Cheddar Gorge made all more exciting swerving the brown sheep things with horns, where’s Barry when you need him.
So onto the finish at Burnham on Sea arriving at 2000hrs, with time to spare. the overall time was 15Hrs with a riding time of 13hrs.49 mins and in the top 40 riders, so mighty pleased with that and will probably be up for it again next year, so if anyone fancies it?
David Greenwood

 

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The Start on the beautiful Isle of Sheppey.

 

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Memories of his Army days.

 

 

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The vale of the White Horse.

 

 

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The finish, Burnham on Sea.

One Response

  1. Tim Decker
    | Reply

    Well dine Dave. I’m intending to do this next year

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