WORDS AND PICTURES PHIL BEED
As the shadow of the Covid-19 lockdown began to relax this summer, half a dozen of Portsmouth’s finest took to the saddle once more, to ride The Foxy 200 – and enjoy a few pints of much-missed real ale in the August sunshine. A happy Phil Beed reports…
The Good Companions ride again
THE SUSPENSION of all Audax UK events was a sensible decision, even though it meant not being able to ride in what turned out to be superb spring weather. But finally, on the first Saturday in August, five eager Audax Club Portsmouth (ACP) pals, led by our captain, Paul Whitehead enthusiastically resumed activity with a splendid DIY event – the Foxy 200. We met early at the burger van on Portsdown Hill – the first randonnée since early spring. Our planned route would take us in an anti-clockwise loop going as far north as Silchester. We were in short sleeves when we set off at 8am, knowing we were in for a hot day. My geared bike has three bottle cages and I’d loaded a full size Bidon of juice in each of them, preferring to carry extra weight than to run out of fluids. I’ve done
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of us taking flasks and sandwiches ❝outTheof oursightsaddle bags would have bought back
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memories to cyclists of my father’s generation, when it would have been unusual to find a café open on a Sunday afternoon and carrying your own lunch was the normal thing to do
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