Black Horse Bike Ride – raising money for Multiple Scelrosis

The Black Horse, Reigate in Surrey.

This time last year we didn't have a blog so we couldn't really write about the great Black Horse Bike Ride, which this year is on Sunday May 16th. I think I'm right in saying that this year will be Andy's fourth attempt and my third and both of us are seriously hoping for good weather. Last year we had heavy rain and it wasn't at all pleasant. We were both soaked through, we then dried out during the middle part and then got a soaking again towards the end. Half way around I seemed to run out of fuel (I'd eaten nowt but a bacon sarnie for breakfast and that was at the pub and then, somewhere near Crawley, I faltered and had to stock up on cheese sandwiches and Digestive biscuits to finish the course.

The big problem with last year was the weather, it was awful, and I seriously hope it stays fine for this year. It's a 50-miler that weaves its way through some picturesque parts of Surrey and Sussex, skirts around Gatwick airport and then heads back through quaint little places like Rusper.

The ride starts and finishes at the Black Horse, a pub in Reigate that sells excellent beer (Young's) and throws in a free pint AND a barbecue (also free) for all the riders. It's a great day out. Last year Andy and I cycled to the start line from our respective homes (although my memory is a little hazy on that as I think I got the train to Redhill and cycled from there). The point is we didn't chuck our bikes in the car as we'd done the year before. Not sure how we're going to play it this year, although after that knackered feeling you get after a big distance, the thought of cycling home is not good at all. Last year, I think I cycled around 70 miles in total and when I reached home I went straight to bed and slept for 12 hours.

Getting back to the pub is probably the best bit of the lot. Taking that first sip of Young's and that first munch on a large beefburger with onions is better than sex. No, honestly, it is. Well, alright, it's similar. Okay, it bears no resemblance whatsoever, but you know what I mean.

So, there you have it, NoVisibleLycra's third year on the Black Horse Ride and we're looking forward to it. Not sure how many, if any, strangers stumble across this site, but if you're reading this now and consider it a worthy cause, then go to www.justgiving.com/matthew-moggridge and donate some money.