On Saturday it rained all day. It was that horrible, persistent, constant drizzle, interspersed with heavier downpours. Outside everything was wet and dripping and the skies were grey; gone was the clear, blue skies of the week just past when the UK sizzled in record temperatures: it was something like 38 degrees, the hottest ever, but that all changed on Saturday morning. I was up at 0600hrs, looking out of the window at a puddle on next door's flat-roofed extension. Rain was hammering down. I immediately sent Andy an abort text, but hesitated slightly, thinking that perhaps I should wait to see how things look at 0700hrs. But I sent the abort as the rain had its slippers on and was planning to hang around. It never stopped and I resigned myself to not going out. Instead, I lolled about fretting about this and that (holidays, money, the usual things) and then later I discovered that Andy had gone out! I couldn't believe it at first, but he'd gone out in the pouring rain and was adventurous enough to consider a ride to Westerham, the slow way! In the end, having stopped at the bus stop to shelter from the storm, I think he decided to head for home and, let's be straight here, he was soaked through, but not cold, he later told me. I guess respect is due for this, he's either a legend or a fool and I'm going to opt for the former.
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| Andy braved the rain on Saturday and I think he's bought a new bike... |
Later I checked out my iphone to see what the weather had in store for Sunday. There was a white cloud, but fortunately no blue rain coming out of it; fine, it was going to be an overcast day, but at least I'd get a ride in. And sure enough, the next morning was grey but dry, although it had rained overnight, I think. I met Andy on the Green and we headed for the Tatsfield Bus Stop the slow way. As we cycled along, Andy told me about his ride in the rain on Saturday as we weaved our way around the country lanes, down Hesiers Hill and up Beddlestead. The bushes and shrubs on either side of the road had grown considerably and at places they poured onto the road. There were a few Lycra monkeys around. We reached our destination and out came the tea and biscuits, although I've given up the Belvitas. We sat there, as we always do, making small talk, watching passing cyclists and motorists and then, after our two cups of tea, we jumped back on the bikes and headed home, Andy rode along the The Ridge while I took the 269 heading towards Warlingham. I got home around 0930hrs and, for the first time in a few weeks, I felt energised. It was good to get back on the bike.
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| Is this Andy's new bike last weekend in Westerham? |
