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The other was where James “God, I hate cyclists” Martin - our favourite
celebrity chef - suggested a form of Tesla silent (road) “Rage” in his tabloid
motoring column, to intimidate local riders using the O.S. Hampshire Cycle
Routes near his home.

Oliver’s article coincided with Father’s Day 2018 and the Hartley’s debouched
to Chawton, a haven of gentility in rural Hampshire, normally associated with
Jane Austen. On the way there - about 1030 -we drove along the A31
dual-carriageway between Farnham and Alton and noticed that a CTT event
was taking place. This was well marshalled and signposted and the riders
well ordered, complete with F1-style flashing rear lights. The event also
seemed replete with observers at the roadside, some taking their ease sat
at picnic tables!

On reaching Chawton we mentioned this to our hostess for the day, a nursing
sister with no obvious “Axe-to-Grind” about cyclists. She did remark however
that, “there had been a couple of fatalities recently” along that stretch of
road, caused by reckless motoring. This we took as being the local’s
perception of cycling on that road, where they think “Sense and Sensibility”
should otherwise perhaps prevail. Bear in mind here that the A31 Bentley
bypass forms the basis of the heavily-used Hxx/8 courses, used by local clubs
in the London West DC.

On our return home at about 1730, we approached the (aptly-named)
Cuckoo’s Corner roundabout, coincident with one of the now-weary
competitors. He was poorly-placed to rejoin the lane towards Farnham, as
was also our intention. We slowed down to possibly accommodate the rider,
but he also slowed and wisely passed behind our vehicle, not losing too much
time/momentum. As we left the roundabout we did however receive some
mouth and gesticulation from a race official /observer at the roadside which
left us both feeling a bit “Put Out”! A verbal complaint to the lady timekeeper
along the road was not well received, as she was obviously too busy to
address my concerns. This led to her rather imperious explanation that this
was in fact the National 12-hour Championship and that I should perhaps

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