Surrey Hills Loop
MIPIM Training Ride
19 February 2018
20 riders joined us this weekend for a 110km training ride through the Surrey Hills in preparation for the 2018 Cycle to MIPIM.
After a rider briefing the peloton headed out from the mist of Richmond Park, through Kingston, Esher & Cobham and into the sun as we hit the Surrey Hills. Considering we’re still in mid-February, we were quickly removing layers to make the most of what felt like a Spring day.
Our stop at Peaslake Village Stores could not have been better planned, as we all basked in the warmth of our efforts and the sunshine. That said, the staff looked somewhat shell shocked as 20 hungry and thirsty riders swarmed in for refreshments. The requests for ‘flat white’, ‘dry cappuccino’ and other fancy London coffees didn’t help, when the choice was black or white!
The climbing stepped up a notch on the second half of the ride, culminating in an ascent of the super smooth tarmac of Box Hill. Conversation during this climb was somewhat subdued as our heart rates pushed up towards the red.
We’d like to say a big thank you to Andy Matthews, for plotting the route and guiding us round, and also to Mark Lacey for stepping in when Andy’s mechanical occurred. Respect to Andy for completing the second half with just two gears!
There’s still time to sponsor Matthew Chamberlain & Andy Matthews and help raise money for children’s charity Coram. All donations are greatly appreciated.
Roll on 8 March. Chapeau!
– Matt Chamberlain
TAGS Cycle to MIPIM, Club Peloton, Coram