Brenhden's TET

[Brenhden]

The next trail was closed and I pottered along feeling a bit better with some fresh air in me, I was daydreaming and missed the next trail all together! This set the tone for the rest of the day. The next trail was Ectinghill, I think, and it had one of those gates that will not stay open. They are such a ballache for solo riders, especially combined with the steep rough ground that makes using a sidestand a pain. Past that it was a super rocky rutted trail which last year I would have flown up but as this was my first day offroad since last summer and I was weighed down with luggage I really struggled. That said the K60 and the luggage did give loads of extra rear wheel traction. At the top is this super coms tower and a great view.

Photo tower.

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Down the hill and by 11:00 I was spitting feathers and stopped for a break at some super Hipster café called The Dog House for tea and an iced bun. Heaven. Onwards and more trails were closed but the open ones were awesome and in woodland. By 13:00 I was running on fumes so I stopped in Hailsham for petrol and a gross KFC. Chips always make me feel better and I set off now completely hangover free and basking in the sunshine. Just out of town there was a great looking trail that was closed but after that they were all open. The first had steps and I was dead nervous approaching but the bike just ate them up, I always forget how good bikes are at steps.

Photo Bodiam

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After that I joined the south coast and rode into this beautiful area called Salt Marsh. It was desperately pretty and following it up stream the TET joins some brilliant Salisbury Plain style fast trails. I never knew Sussex was so nice. I was passing vineyards and joined the road that led all the way to Blackberry Wood. This campsite is unique run by a couple that clearly love a project. Their glamping units are all different and loads are made from old vehicles. There is even a Wessex helicopter you can rent.

[Brenhden]

Photo Wessex

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I wish I had now as I would have been a lot warmer. I pitched in the forest near a massive tree house and whilst unpacking realised that I had stuffed my gear into my hiking boots to save space this explained the stinky towel this morning… I popped to the nearest Budgeons for supplies, came back and got a bag of logs for a fire.

Photo Camp

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I made burgers and stew for dinner on the fire and finished the night with tea and biscuits before turning in.

Today’s Distance 233km
Total TET 578km

[Brenhden]

Day 8
Woke 05:00 fricken freezing cold, the ground was soft and my pegs had relaxed letting the heavy dew touch me. It was 1C and even in all my thermals I was not warm enough. I stuck my biker gear over my civvys and made a fire with all the wind fall twigs I could find, two cups of tea and a instant porridge later and I was ready for action. I showered and dried the camping gear in the rising sun before setting off around 09:00. Looking at the ground already covered and the remaining distance I thought I could complete the trails and make it home to a warm bed that night so got straight on with it. Road riding through the very posh country villages strewn with Aston Martins and the first trail would have been really easy to miss, it’s a up and back the same route that goes up a hill, I nearly didn’t bother but I was so glad I did:

Photo view.

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After that was an excellent morning of trail riding, my confidence was hugely improved since yesterday and the trails were great, some reminding me of the Pyrenees. It was now lovely and warm and sunny too. Passed this bit of castle and this super view near a horse race track.

Photo Castle wall.

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Photo View.

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[Brenhden]

Today I decided a soundtrack was in order so I was listening to 100 Raw Blues tunes. I stopped at 11:00 for a roll and a can of pop and carried on till 12:30 for marvellous tea and cake at Alexandra’s Kitchen which is right on the TET.

Photo Cake.

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That done I carried on and the trails turned much more muddy and rutted. I saw a Stoat! I kept forgetting I had panniers on, the first time squeezing passed a fallen tree I’m lucky I didn’t tear one open and second time had me off the bike. It clipped the side of a gully and as I was in a rut (which I hate) I over balanced and fell trapping my leg under the bike.

Photo Fall.

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I got out and tried to right the bike but the ground was too slippery. I could only pull it up by putting my feet right under it meaning that once up I couldn’t stand. After ten sweaty minutes of swearing I stopped to actually assess how to fix it and swung a leg over and stood it straight up. Idiot. By now my lack of sleep and general exertion had worn me down a bit and I realised I was still no where near the end of the planned routes. I carried through the mud of TET getting sloppier and grumpier and around three I was near Medstead and drew a line under proceedings. I decided that I would rather head home and come back than stay another night under canvas. I ate and drank and found a Zombie Apocalypse audiobook and struck out for home.
The roads flew by as the sun beat down and three hours, two cups of tea and several chocolate digestives later I pulled up. My house was truly a vision of warmth and comfort. I showered opened a beer and ate a mountain of chips.

Todays distance 307km
Total TET 678km

[Brenhden]

What I learned:

Don’t put your towel in your boots.

When your bike falls against a wall mount it to pick it up.

Noise cancelling headphones really work. Just before I got home the noise function ran out of battery and the instant difference was deafening. They are well worth the money.

Exped Downmat lite 5 is extremely warm and comfortable. Now I need a matching bag…

K60 is a huge improvement over stock, in the mud its not much good but on bouncy ground and roads it is miles better.

I did record some video on my go pro but unless you fall off a cliff its just not worth the effort of editing it all together….

[Mad Hatter]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who accidentally gets stinking drunk

[boboneleg]

First evening sounds great Brenhden, not so sure about the rest

[beany]

brilliant,thanks for sharing.

[PHILinFRANCE]

Nice one Bren .......tough nut mate , anything below 60°c and i'm shivering

[Brenhden]

Nice one Bren .......tough nut mate , anything below 60°c and i'm shivering

Nothing tough about being cold mate...