Paris Brest Paris 2011 : race out , tour back: The Gutbuster

for those that don't know ...The Gutbuster is a local ride that pieces together most of the major South Downs climbs between the Meon Valley in the west and Goodwood in the east. The ride starts from Portsdown Hill and is named after the legendary burger available from Mick's burger van ....eating one before the ride is not compulsory and probably not recommended. Although a small bacon and egg roll is a good way to start! The ride is 145k and 2600m of climbing and definitely feels like that at the end. I started the ride at 6am (after the aforementioned egg & bacon roll and cuppa) and set off west to Beacon Hill. The lanes were quiet, there was lots of wildlife around and most importantly I managed to miss the huge rain storm that swept through at 7am! It's a fantastic ride ...the first half to South Harting is very well know as it's my regular training ride, but the 2nd section further east is not so familiar but it delivers more stunning country side as one hugs the north sides of the downs heading out to Gratham , Duncton Down and eventually Goodwood race course. The best Chocolate biscuit cake in the world is still available at the post office in Cocking but the tea van at Goodwood was nowhere to be seen! Eventually you come back west via the Mardens, Clanfield and Denmead with one last pull up Pigeon House lane on to the ridge of Portsdown Hill. I arrived back at 13:30 (7.5 hours including an hour of stops for food and photos) the car park now full ....a huge queue for Mick's but no queue for the ice cream van!