So I've basically had to scrap the idea of the Wessex Way (in two or three days) because I've procrastinated about, not trained enough, left it too late, and have been tipped off by Wiltshire and West Coun'ry locals that the route is overgrown with nettles and ferns and dragons and such...
With that kind of route forecast, it's really not worth attempting to ride with the aim of 125 (ish) miles per day - it simply won't happen. Meh.

However, I realised that if I were to do a little tour on road then I'm unlikely to encounter much unruly nature en route! Win...

Being a keen rider of one-geared bikes, the Single Speed UK champs (forever referred to as SSUK...) was always one to have on the race calendar - it's basically a piss up disguised as a race disguised as a piss up...
Charlie the Bikemonger had done a sterling job at organising last year's event in Swanage, Dorset. However, that was more of a 'one geared bimble' rather than a proper race format (heck - we spent more time in the pubs than we did riding!)
However, this year was held at Cannock Chase and was to be more fitting with the typical format of "proper-ish race followed by proper-ish party!
I'd been mulling over in my head whether to take it seriously and actually race..or to simply have a laugh and take it easy/drink... Chatting with Tim whilst on a ride the Saturday before it became official - I was in it to win it....