[terriuk]

As winter draws in here in the UK, I feel less inclined to go cycling- riding just to keep warm is not my ides of fun.

Saying that, recently we had a fine clear day, reasonably mild, so thought we would have one last ride before hibernating..

Bikes on roof rack of car, we went up to a pub at Devils Dyke, at the top of the South Downs-
a beauty spot with great views of the countryside, and a steep sided gulley going down to woods and farmland below- We have ridden down there several times before, as part of a longer trek.

During a nice hot meal, John dared me to ride down there again, but this time NAKED! It took a couple of whiskies, but I agreed - so long as we BOTH suffered the cold. His wide grin meant it was on..

After lunch, still clothed, we rode a couple of laps around the top car park to warm up muscles, then went to the lower park, and over a fence to the head of the gulley. Its about a 300 foot drop from to to bottom, over a quarter of a mile, with a patch of woods at the bottom.

Its quite open view, and maybe we could have been seen by a couple of dog walkers in the distance, but that was it. Any sane person was indoors.

I was getting goose bumps as soon as took my leggings were off, leaving just my fleece jacket and top, until the very last moment- but the gloves and hat were staying on!

We were startled by a noise behind us- a couple were returning to their car, and gasped when they saw us, in the buff.

No turning back, now- we smiled and waved, then quickly pushed off down the hill. Fathering the brakes seems pointless after a while, so it is best to just hold on, lean weight back, and try to avoid the stones & debris that had settled along the rough path down..

If anyone else had seen us, I doubt we would have noticed. I certainly noticed the cold breeze though, biting into my bare skin. But I didn't care. I just wanted to stay upright, and avoid a bare naked crash- how would you even explain that, to any rescue team!

John whizzed past, and reached the flatter ground first, now free-wheeling towards the woods. His legs were red raw, with the cold. Mine looked, and felt, the same.

Into the woods gave us some sort of shelter, and a chance to catch our breath, between nervous laughter. What a rush!

Quickly putting tops on, then leggings, we headed on through a deserted field, back onto a country road, to find another pub for a hot drink, and somewhere to thaw out. (In summer, we usually stop in the field for a *cough* picnic, but not that time.. :-)

As we had a few drinks, it wouldn't be safe to drive, so we decided to cycle home, and got a bus back the following day to pick up the car. More on THAT trip, another time maybe!