Good old Ebay: my new Dura-Ace Shimano brakes, not that they’d have helped today
Map reference: Kingston to Chilworth, and a reverse home, 79 long kilometres
Carbs and caffeine: Costa in Cobham, not very exciting, but just what I needed
Well it was bound to happen. I’ve been having such a great time in the past couple of weeks that I was bound to crash. At least this was only physically not literally, although I was aware that, as I was feeling less than 100 per cent, I needed to be careful on the road. The old IQ drops swiftly when you start fading.
It was supposed to be a long hilly ride with Rob today, as he trains for the Flanders sportive. But by the time we got to 40k around Leith Hill and I had been feeling rubbish the whole way, I knew it was time to bail. Unfortunately, at that stage I was 40k from home, so I turned back and trundled back to Cobham promising myself a large coffee there to get me through the last kilometres.
The smiley barista at Costa asked me how I was as she served me and was probably surprised to be told I was totally rubbish. I think the acceptable answer is an American-style ‘great’. But the bucket of coffee she served me helped me home and now I would like to say to her ‘Have a nice day…’
Note to self: it’s all part of the training. You’ve done 310k since Saturday, bailing perfectly acceptable
it's just a stage 
Jamie – it happens to us all – good days/bad days – but next time in case you haven’t try Giro opposite Costa in Cobham – or Nest in Ripley – any time you want to go out and Rob is not available let me know – I live in Oxshott so picking up in Esher/Hampton if easier for you is doable – TOF is not too far off – if he needs inspiring there is a paperback out called The Monuments by Peter Cossins – covers the history of the Five classics including TOF: Keith
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I know Nest really well, but I really was just ploughing home, which is through Cobham. I haven’t tried Giro, or even noticed it. Hopefully I won’t get myself in such a fix again, but if I do I’ll slide in there for my caffeine fix. And I’d love to pedal with you again sometime. I’m really just keeping Rob company until he has done The Flanders, and I wasn’t even able to achieve that today… he carried on alone. Next big challenge is the Dragon Ride (200k length) which is in 11 weeks, and which Jacqui – who was with me in Cafe Bean the other day – is also doing. Thanks for the book tip too. Cerebral inspiration good too. J
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