Day 2 - The Drowned Rat!

Brighton, East Sussex to Southampton, Hampshire
69 miles

You know, I’ve been wracking my brains, trying to think of something, other than the obvious, about what to put into this blog today and you know what, that’s easier said than done. The bike was great today (except for a couple of gear-based niggles that I still need to sort), there was a tail wind which was a complete joy, and I felt generally very fresh. That puts a bit of a spanner in the works really as there is nothing there that I can say much about.
So here it is! Wow, how much rain can there be in the sky? (And Matt has just checked the weather for the next few days and it looks like I need to get used to it!)
I blame the BBC you know, and more specifically Carol, the ever-smiley Breakfast news weather lady. She stood there, happy as larry, confidently claiming that it was going to be cloudy but fine until at least 3pm. Brilliant thought I. I can get most of the way before getting wet again. Umm, no, I first got wet within 20 minutes of leaving and just got wetter and wetter and wetter from there. There comes a point (and yes, I know Andie McDowell said this in 4 Weddings) when you just can’t get any wetter. I think I found it today.
Having said all this, I quite enjoyed it really and must be thankful that when lunch time came, the rain did stop, which even though I was wet meant that I didn’t have to eat soggy bread. Small mercies I know, but they are oh so important!
So here’s to tomorrow – the drowned rat might well have to take another dunking! England, come rain or shine, you’re being cycled!

JF – 23.03.10