Suffolk one day cycle challenge 24th June 2012

Chris writes: I found yesterday's 100 mile ride round Suffolk countryside in pouring rain and strong wind pretty exhausting.
The "official" ride was cancelled at very last minute as organisers were worried about the amount of surface water from overnight rain on Saturday and the dangers this would pose (hidden potholes etc) but, along with offering us as many free bananas and slices of lemon drizzle cake as was seemly to offer at 7.30 a.m., they also handed out the route map and said no reason why we shouldn't do it if we wanted to. However, the waymarking arrows would be taken down and there would be no refreshment stops. As we had made a bit of an effort to be there, we decided to go ahead.  We got drenched in some torrential rain in our 60 mile morning session but, after having been turned away by our first attempt at a lunchtime pub stop (I think we were too scruffy), struck lucky with next pub en route which had a roaring log fire (well it is late June so that was entirely to be expected!) and some super friendly bar staff who, after laughing at u,s took pity on us and adapted their regular Sunday menu to needs of carb-starved and sodden cyclists. As we sat by the fire the sun came out so the rest of our afternoon was altogether more pleasant, despite continuing strong winds. Overshoes invaluable!