North (ups &) Downs

Went for a long awaited spin with my étape buddy Charlie yesterday – headed out for circuits of hills around the beautiful North Downs. Proved to be brilliant training – we took handful of steadier climbs over around 90km, they were longer grinds than i usually get in North of London coupled with some lovely descents which we both took joy weaving down. Final climb is definitely worth a wee mention, chalk pit lane, which almost got the better of me, probably cos i'd been racing up the hills all weekend. A 20% beast that keeps giving for around 1.8 km. At moments like this I'd like to thank my parents for my climbers physique.