These last two weeks there have been just four of us out of the original gang of seven lucky enough to have won ballot places in the London 100 and embarking on the G2 training programe for it.
In typical airline style Heidi has upgraded herself to the G3/4 rides (she knows the pilot apparently), Louise and Nick have both strangely decided that France is a better place to be at the moment and even more surprisingly, our regular training helper Matthew has opted for motor racing this weekend. Whatever next.
Anyway, last week we hit two of the London 100 hills, Leith Hill and Holmbury Hill, on a 50 mile ride.
This week, a longer ride of 70 miles via Staples Lane. (To duplicate another London 100 climb, Newlands Corner, whilst avoiding the traffic on the A25 - and if it's good enough for the pros on August 2nd, it's good enough for us.)
After dropping down Coombe Lane to the A25, we crossed over to the A248 and through Albury towards Chilworth. Across the railway and up the lovely(!) Sampleoak Lane climbs to Blackheath and Shamley Green.
At 38 miles in, coffee and bacon sandwiches were called for in the delightful rear coutyard of the Speckledy Hen where the discussion revolved around parking for the London 100 (this event is getting obsessive).
And so onwards through Cranleigh and the long way home via Ellens Green and Walliswood. Rob dropped off in Newdigate and Jill at Flanchford Raod as usual, leaving Michelle and me to head back to the 'Drome for a recovery cappuccino and Magnum respectively.
The score: 70 miles (actually 69.4 for the gpx pedants) and 4150 feet of climbing. Phew.
Right on track for the G2 training 100 in a couple of weeks and the big event itself in five weeks.
So far so good (at least that's what I told my glutes afterwards).