The Wanderer. LWCC’s universally adored full colour magazine.

The Wanderer. LWCC’s universally adored full colour magazine.

Thanks for the memories :o)

72 Editions of ‘The Lewes Wanderer’ - No. 190 January 2006 - No.262 December 2012

If you are reading this, chances are you have found the new club blog or have received the ‘new’ club newsletter and are wondering what the hell happened to the 32 page, full colour bumper womble fest that popped through the door nearly every month.  I say nearly every month, who could forget the notorious edition where the mag was sent with insufficient postage and most copies were returned to the editor in chief.

When Chris Martin took the reins in 2006 no-one could have imagined what had been born.  The January newsleter, as with previous material, had the usual mix of news and results and at a humble 6 pages was no bigger than some previous newsletters but Chris injected a hefty amount of banter mixed with a little sarcasm topped with a pinch of ‘Hard Shoulder’ to spice up the back page.  But that wasn’t all, there were visual changes too, it was produced in colour and there was a new layout.

February 2006 and the newsletter has doubled in size to a previously unheard of 12 pages, still in colour but now with added photo’s of Wanderers actually riding bikes. 

April 2006 and we have a fresh front page with a picture of a Wanderer on the front (waves) and extended to 14 pages.

It wasn’t until August 2006 that the newsletter completed its metamorphosis into a magazine and at 20 pages was a bit of a monster.

In 2010 24 pages became the norm, March-April 2011 was a monster 32 pages, bettered by the July/August summer special at 48 Pages!!

What the magazine had in quantity, it equalled in quality, I know because I read each and every magazine from cover to cover at least twice (normally back to front?), not bad for someone that hasn’t read a cycling publication for over 3 years.  It wasn’t just me though, my parents, my Nan and occasionally my brother were also avid followers of the mag.

The importance of the magazine for a club can never be underestimated.  With circa 140 members spread across most of East Sussex a bit of West Sussex and beyond, the magazine has to be at the heart of club life, helping those who aren’t involved in the day to day club activities feel a part of the club. 

If you get a moment have a look at the club website and flick through a couple of magazines across the years, it bought back many memories for me.

We owe a huge thanks to Chris for his efforts and the many, many, many hours he spent putting the magazine together but we must not forgot all those who contributed articles, results and photographs must also be thanks for creating what I believe to be the best cycling club magazine. Often on the various cycling forums there would be a topic comparing club magazine, I never contributed to this discussions, there was no point, our mag would blow the others out of the water.

As is tradition, one last photo for the back page - I've been saving this for just such a special occasion:

Thanks for the fun, thanks for the banter, thanks for the memories and thanks for making the club feel as one! 

Now for the next phase…

Press Report - 28th January 2013 - By Alan Lloyd

After the Arctic blast of the last few weeks’, members of the Lewes Wanderers Cycling Club were relieved to see milder conditions prevail as they set out on the club’s annual Reliability Trial ride.  Organiser Stuart Anderson had devised two testing routes of 35 and 53 miles, which threaded through remote Sussex lanes taking in the tough ascent by Ardingly reservoir to return to Chailey via Partridge Green.  

In a reliability event, entrants have to navigate around the set course in a prescribed time, with riders in this instance, being offered a choice of three to four hours to complete the course.  Under normal circumstances these time scales would not prove to be a problem, but as the cyclists were to find out, these were not normal circumstances.  The milder weather proved to be a false dawn as the rising temperatures conspired to bring about a rapid thaw, which accompanied by torrential overnight rain  resulted in severe flooding on the course.  The conditions forced riders to dismount at several points to wade through icy water.  The loss in time meant that only 21 finishers out of a field of 44 completed the ride in their prescribed times, a telling reflection of the tough conditions on the day.  However all the starters deserve praise for their valiant attempts and thanks must go out to Stuart and his team of helpers for promoting such a splendid, if somewhat challenging event.

Last Sunday the Surrey and Sussex Vets group hosted their annual Luncheon and Prize Presentation at Rowfant House near Turners Hill.  Lewes riders Peter Baker, Horry Hemsly and your correspondent picked up certificates and medals for their performances over the 2012 season.  Nick Dwyer was awarded the Robin Buchanan Memorial Cup for a splendid ride in 25-mile event, and along with Baker and your correspondent was awarded the Pound Hill trophy for the top team in the 25-mile event.  The Wanderers scooped team awards for the 30, 50 and 100 mile distances. In the 100-mile event Baker, your correspondent and John Mankelow were honoured to be crowned as team winners in the National Event.

Highlight of the afternoon was an honorary award presented to Mick Kilby by Sheila Hardy, Chairman of Cycling Time Trials.  Sheila had made the long journey from Birmingham and after an entertaining speech sprung a surprise on Mick by awarding him the RTTC Badge of Honour.  Mick is widely recognised as one of the most senior and reliable timekeepers in Sussex and members celebrated his success with a rousing reception as he stepped up to collect his prestigious award.

More details on all club activities can be found at www.leweswanderers.co.uk

Club Reliability Trial Report by Stuart Anderson

Well, possibly not our most successful day out in term of target times but hopefully reasonably enjoyable (sorry I didn't know about the river crossings)!

Summary statistics:

Of 45 pre-entries, 32 pitched up to the start. There were a further 12 entries on the line which gives a total of 44 starters. 

Road conditions caused failure for most participants with only 21 finishers in the target times.

Group 1 (53 miles in 4 hours) was the most successful with all 6 starters making it in. No-one in Group 3 (53 miles in 3 hours) or Group 5 (35 miles in 2 hours) made it in the target time. Five of the six riders in Group 4 (35 miles in 3 hours) were successful while ten of 21 riders in Group 2 (53 miles in 3 hours 30 mins) achieved their goal.

One participant (Barry Davids) had nasty accident injuring his back and an ambulance was called after he unsuccessfully rode on for a bit. I spoke to him on the phone and he is hopefully on the mend but awaiting an update. A few others had equipment failure in the harsh conditions.

Special thanks to Yuriy (kitchen duty), Richard, Laurie and John (time-keeping and checkpoint), Rob, Chris and Ian (behind the scenes planning), Emma and Pamela (bakery). 

Thanks for your support.
Stu

Club Run to Simon Farmer's House, Cade Street - Sunday 6th January by Paget Cohen

Saturday had been dull, damp and drizzly and Sunday 'dawned' dank and dismal, but at least I now had a freshly serviced bike, a new mud flap attached to the rear guard and a new rear tyre. I don't know about you, but I'm one of those people who prides themselves on being punctual and am in most danger of being late if I'm ready early and think I have time to do something beyond the normal routine; and so it proved. Taking the scenic route through the lanes in the valley I thought I knew the roads better than I did, turned left one turning too early and found myself doubling back into Blackboys up a stiff climb.

I needn't have worried as Ian was still in the process of phoning Simon to go out and buy more mugs as 16 of us were riding out from Uckfield and more were due from elsewhere (New Year's resolutions?). The outward leg followed the same route as that to Isfield, but while Terry (again preferring shorts to thermal long johns) left us at The Broyle the thundering peloton swung East to Laughton. We passed several more casual cyclists through Ripe and Chalvington and a stationary bunch of Eastbourne Rovers just before the left turn back to Upper Dicker. Once across the A22 we headed South out of Hailsham on the Ersham Road. Up to now we'd made good progress with many remarking as to how much they were enjoying the evident slipstream behind the keen pace being mainly set by Rob P and Gibbo.

Turning left onto a potholed Saltmarsh Lane we somewhat lost impetus as Stuart A's new rear light popped off his saddle bag and split in two on the road just as our illustrious leader succumbed to a puncture. I'd wager it's not the first time Ian McG has changed tubes by the roadside as he was rolling again by the time Stuart had recovered his light and many had barely finished their comfort breaks and didn't have time to wash their hands. Mark L even fell off in amazement/admiration.

According to the signs we brazenly passed Downash Lane was closed, but it was just about passable by bike if you picked your way through the mud and puddles. Partly due to this spray the group had split somewhat by the time we'd crossed Horse Eye Level and we had a short wait to regroup. One of those delayed was new boy Luke, and it's to his credit that I didn't realise he wasn't a current member from out of the woodwork until someone told me; although his relative lack of miles clearly told on the gradual climb through Cowbeech, Foul Mile, Rushlake Green and Three Cups with Ian needing to lend a helping hand.

Speaking of which no sooner had we left the levels and turned up Cricketing Lane then I became indebted to Mark for holding my bike and particularly to Ollie Tuckley for spotting my ineptitude and not only helping remove and replace my old front Schwalbe Marathon, but supplying and inflating a replacement tube. In my feeble defence that is, somewhat improbably, the first time in over 8 years and roughly 15,000 miles that I've punctured whilst out on a ride! My belated New Year's resolution must be to equip myself with a pocket pump and spare tube of my own. My blushes were further spared by nice Martyn simultaneously suffering the same misfortune, but not getting the same level of help.

Anyway Simon eventually did a huge crowd and Kit Wilson proud with not just tea cakes, but a fine array of homemade flapjacks, chocolate brownies and 'apple and cinnamon thingies' - anyone not there truly missed out. Suitably refuelled the 2 miles home seemed to pass in a flash.

Club Run to Oast Farm Buxted - Sunday 23rd December by Paget Cohen

The roads may well have been awash the day before when I ventured out in the rain for yet more Xmas shopping, indeed local TV news even showed places as near as Hellingly and Sharpsbridge under water, but as this was almost certainly my last chance for a club ride this year I was determined to get out. With more showers likely and the lanes sure to be filthy club colours would be temporarily hidden under hi-vis waterproof jacket. Suitably clothed I squelched my way up the garden path, rigged up the lights and launched the good ship Marin onto the open road.

I left 3 In Gear riders chatting in Cross in Hand and inherited a tractor and trailer trying to take advantage of my slipstream until I turned left on to the A272. The absence of riders outside the In Gear store made me momentarily concerned I may find no club-mates at the bottom of the hill, but I was heartened by a flashing tail- light visible as I rounded the corner; Lewes Wanderers are surely a hardier breed.

The flasher was Mark Longhurst who was in the good company of Alan Lloyd (this week on a Specialized fixie) and Doctor Stuart making a welcome return. Before long we were joined by Ian McG, Carl, Terry (braving shorts and our remarks), Gibbo + Simon Farmer and finally Rob P who squealed to halt in front of us, or at least his Giant did, I don't think Rob was quite that pleased to see us all. Those of you at the Star Pub night a few days earlier may remember Mark promising to devise this week's route; the one man who didn't was Mark, so it was left to Ian as usual.

So it was that 10 of us set off North only to be halted by a red light at the junction with Church Street. Almost all attempted to stay clipped in whilst waiting, but none seem likely to endanger the world record for the 'surplace' of 63 minutes by Vanni Pettenella in 1968 (for more info read the excellent "Pedalare! Pedalare!" by John Foot). Westward Ho through Fletching and across the A275 at Sheffield Green to Freshfield Crossways the tightly packed formation was splintered on the climb to Horsted Keynes, but reformed for the run up to Wych Cross. Turning left at Chelwood Gate had made scaling Kidd's Hill more probable than possible; whether that influenced Rob choice to leave us quite then he'll have to answer. What momentum we may have carried up "The Wall" was lost when Terry became the first puncture victim of the day as we approached the ford. Alan and Mark went on ahead, but kindly walked the last rise so as to allow the rest of us to catch up.

I'm afraid to say the festive spirit was found lacking on the descent through Duddleswell as white van man took exception to being fractionally delayed in order to overtake a bunch of cyclists. Having hooted his horn continuously whilst going past he then screeched to a halt in front of us. Quite what he thought he was going to achievebygettingoutandconfronting9'gentlemen'withheadprotectionIdon'tthinkheknew. Therunthrough the back lanes of Fairwarp and Maresfield was punctuated all too literally by Carl sustaining his second flat in a fortnight and Stuart's rear light falling off.

Oast Farm had asked Ian to call ahead to confirm we were coming, but it looked more like the club had hired the place out - a very healthy turn out for some less healthy, but delicious, sustenance. As the clouds lifted so mine, Paul's and Simon's hilly run back to Heathfield passed without incident. 44 satisfying miles in total.

Product Review : Rear Mudflaps - Spray Reduction

Mark's cut from a child's welly boot narrowly beat Paul's section from a plastic plant pot as far as I was concerned, but results may have been skewed by Gibbo's childlike desire to splash through every puddle he can find. 

Press Report 2013-01-25 (Sussex Express)

Lewes Wanderers Chairman Chris Martin has had his say about the disgraced cycling legend Lance Armstrong.

Speaking to Neil Pringle on BBC Sussex’s Breakfast Show last Friday – hours after Armstrong’s famed interview with Oprah Winfrey aired simultaneously across the USA and UK – Martin said: “They obviously got straight down to the nuts and bolts, with him admitting what he’s been accused of for so long. Firstly I was surprised that that was done very straight-forwardly. I thought it was going to be much more wrapped up and shrouded in maybes and what-have-you. But he did come out and the questions, he answered them, and said that he had cheated: he’d taken the drugs and done this throughout his professional career.

“He kept saying that he didn’t want to mention names and bring down people – and I thought he actually took the responsibility. I mean, there is obviously an army of people who he could name and I’m sure there’s going to be horrible litigation coming up and this will run on in the press, in a very destructive way for a sport that I’m very passionate about.

“And I suspect it will take a long time before it goes away.”

Asked what he felt about Lance Armstrong ‘the man’, he replied: “This sounds perverse and I know a lot of my colleagues in the club will probably shoot me! But I actually felt for him: he’s a 41-year-old chap, he was a super-alpha male – even in a world of alpha males he was a king – and he’s got to find his way forward in his life.

“I never really had much time for him as a professional but I think that was because he was a brash Texan and, as a southern Englishman, I found that rather unappealing. But I always respected him, which again sounds perverse in retrospect.

“People are saying this is choreographed, this is Oprah building her empire, this is him trying to rebuild and look for a way forward. And yes, that’s all true, he’s got to do something.

“But we’ve got to find a way forward for our sport so that this isn’t what is talked about.” Asked how he could feel sympathy for a self-confessed ‘cheat and bully’ he said: “I’ve worked in the field with people who have had substance misuse lifestyles and fallen from grace, and I see it as a similar thing. The pressures for these young men going into a sport to achieve success, and you know you go out of the door if you don’t make it. The drugs, the doctors, everything, I assume they were there, and Lance obviously took it to an extreme – and had power. And I suspect it self-perpetuates. You start with something, just like drinking I suppose, and before you know it you’ve got to where he got. And then there’s no way back.”

White Chalk Hills UCX

I'd seen mention of the ride on Twitter but it was Tom Glandfield's post on the forum that made me look at the event in a little more detail.

http://velomorpha.com/2012/11/03/white-chalk-hills-ucx/

So basically a 46 mile ride from Eastbourne on 'cross friendly' terrain, no organisation, no rules, no need to enter, just turn up and ride.  I liked the simplicitity of it and with 3 days of child care to contend with I knew I'd be keen to get out on the bike.

As many of you will recall the weather in the run up to the event (30th December) was properly grim, there was rain, more rain and a bit more rain.  The wet I could cope with but it was the wind that was bothering me most, especially at 3 in the morning the night before when it was battering the house.

I set the alarm nice and early but it was still windy and I couldn't fancy getting out of bed, until at the very last minute the wind died down and I just had time to grab a bowl of porridge and head down the road to meet Tom who had kindly offered to give me a lift to the start.

We met Rob and mopped about at the start waiting for something to happen, there was a map on the shop front of the thetristore.com which I tried to commit to memory, but despite knowing the area well I couldn't,   opting instead to use the garmin on the bars for navigation for the first time.

The town hall clock rang out for 9am and we went no-where, eventually heading out at 10 past following the usual amount of pre-ride banter.

We rode in a pretty big group before, after just a few minutes we hit the first big hill and the group stared to break up, I stopped for the longest wee in history and by the time I was back on the bike was right at the back and my womble companions had disappeared off up the off- road.

The climb out of Eastbourne was pretty steep but relatively short, lucky for me a big guy from Devon was happy to tow me over the next exposed off-road section past Beachy Head and along the road.  I tried to give him a turn or two but he was far too strong and came straight past.

We made contact with Rob and Tom who were out in front and for a while we rode together, at this point it was pretty clear that (as expected) Rob and Tom were fit, much fitter than me.

Across more exposed windy fields and we entered Friston Forest, I was hoping for some swoopy singletrack but it was all fireroads, still good though.  It was early in the ride but I was beginning to pay the price of holding on to Rob and Tom with legs that were rapidly becoming dead.

We rode out of Friston up the road to Seaford missing the control and passed Tom's house where Tom had managed to get his family out with drinks and food - best bit of the ride by far.  I imagined the response I'd get if I suggested to my wife that she might like to do something similar!

Refreshed we headed off for the next section which was to be a muddy affair, we met with Sam Ramsey and our little group began to split up again, with Rob way out in front, Tom hanging back for me and Sam and I riding about the same pace.

We rode towards Bo-Peep before turning left and heading across a bumpy radish field, I started to lose my sense of humour at this stage, Sam kindly held back for me, holding the gates open and the like but eventually he left me too.  The riding was okay but the nagging head wind was really taking its toll.

At this point the rain of recent weeks was causing problems, the ground was slippery, traction was a problem and there were some long climbs and other bumpy sections where it was impossible to ride.  After a while it started to feel like I was taking my bike out for a walk, all this time I was getting closer to home and I was less than 5 (head wind) miles from home.  I had purposefully left nothing in Tom's car in case the desire to head home proved too much.

Tom and Rob returned from the control at the top of Itford Hill and I mentioned I was heading home, Rob was sympathetic to my suggestion, so after a break neck descent down Beddingham Hill we all headed back to Eastbourne together.

At this point I should mention bikes, my very limited understanding of UCX was it was a big ride for cyclo cross riders, I really enjoy riding my cross bike so I was on that, though I found the gearing too high (or low I can never remember which way round it is).  Tom was making the ride even harder on his singlespeed cross bike and Rob was riding a bike that actually suited the terrain and the conditions (A Giant 29er).

I was grateful for a few metres of smooth tailwind assisted tarmac along the A27, before we had a decision to make, the ride included 3 optional summits, Firle Beacon, Bo Peep and a new one I hadn't ridden before (that's a lie I didn't even know existed).  Not making the climbs would result in a 10 minute penalty, Rob as competitive as ever had worked out it would be quicker to miss them out, Tom was in a rush to get back so missed them out and I my legs were barely going round so I didn't even consider riding them.

We did however ride along the Old Coach Road behind Firle, a route I have never ridden before and it was superb.  It was muddy and wet but great fun (cant wait to ride it in the dry) it also helped we had a tailwind at this stage.  For the first time in the whole ride I took to the front and promptly got a puncture. It was a pretty swift change before more mud and a horrible push up hill behind Alfriston.  Tom had waited for me to change my tube and I was amazed at how quick he could walk up hill, he left me for dead quicker than if we were riding.

The decent to Alfriston was interesting on a cross bike before we rode through the flood waters and up the South Downs Way behind the Long Man before heading off on a random zig zag of bridleways I had never ridden before.

Through Jevington along the South Downs Way and one final and truly horrific zig zag into the back of East Dean, at this point I was in real trouble, and the climb back up to the Eastbourne golf course was harsh on bumpy grass, just as I thought I could go no further the grass turned to concrete and the pace lifted a little as did my spirit.

A quick descent brought us into Eastbourne where I was met by Tom who whisked me off to the car as he had another appointment to get too.

All in a great ride, a really great event and a superb concept.  It dawned on me days later that the event appeared to have been entirely arranged through social media, twitter and the like, something to think about for the club.

I enjoyed so much I went out the following week to nail those 3 extra climbs and vowed 2 things:
1.  To ride the route again in the 'summer' (if we ever have one).
2.  To think about organising a similar event in the name of the club.

Huge thanks to all those that made the arrangements.  Suggestion is that they are going to repeat the event in September - I suggest you ride it, its going to become a classic.

Reliability Trial weather update

The LWCC 2013 Reliability Trial is currently still going ahead despite the recent weather conditions.

The forecast for the weekend is much milder, staying well above freezing with rain showers to wash away any residual snow / slush.

Remember what Reliability Trials are all about....

Reliability Trials are, like Audax events, not races, but rather long distance rides which emphasise fitness, self reliance and navigational skills.

How Reliable a cyclist are you?

Fitness - Do you think you are fit enough to complete the course in your sellectd time?

Self Reliance - Are your skills, equipment & machine reliable enough to deal with any mechanical or climatic conditions which could occur on the day?

Navigational Skills - Can you successfully navigate the course, passing through all the required controls using the directions provided?

The proof of a reliable cyclist, in the spirit of Reliability Trials is someone who can answer yes to the above 3 questions!

A reliable cyclist is not someone who trains numerous times before the event on a pre-published route. Neither is it someone who follows their handlebar mounted satellite navigation system around a way-marked route on the day of the event (there are plenty of sportives throughout the year for cyclists who want to do that).

Calendar of Events tab - Wots that then?

Across the top of the home page is a bar with a few tabs on it, one of which is the 'Calendar of Events' & I'm pretty pleased with it :o)

You can use it in a number of ways, but please just have a little click around for yourself & see what it does.

At its simplest its just a calendar which I have (laboriously) populated with a selection of events in the upcoming season. These include events from LWCC, ESCA, SCA & SCCU (acronym overload!!!).

I've tried to include accurate information for each event (such as course where appropriate & start time etc). You can change the view from week/month/agenda. For the LWCC events I've included a bit more info. If you click on the actual entry & select 'more details' you should get info on the HQ & also links to where you can find a map of the course.

By clicking the little +Google Calendar button at the bottom right corner it takes you through to the actual Google calendar this is taken from. This calendar is public, so (I believe) you can import into your own software / google calendar. You could incorporate it to view on your smartphone, you could  print it out to stick on the fridge, you could just forget you ever wasted your time reading this - but I hope someone finds it useful?

TTFN

LWCC Annual Dinner & Awards Presentation - Sat 16th February 2012 - 18:30 for 19:00

The Roebuck Inn, Laughton - Collect your awards - cheer on our winners - catch up with old mates - £15 per head - 32 different Wanderers have trophies and or medals to collect - See our November mag for the full details of all our winners.

Starters
Winter vegetable soup
Duck pate and toast
Prawn Mary Rose
Main Course
Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding
Chicken breast in white wine and mushroom sauce
Pan fried salmon Stuffed peppers
Deserts
Chocolate brownie with cream or custard
Treacle tart with cream or custard
Apple crumble with cream or custard
Tea or coffee and mints 

Please book your tickets with: Simon Yates, The Old Stables, Crowborough Hill, Crowborough, TN6 2HlL
Cheques made payable to Lewes Wanderers Cycling Club

Reliability Trial - 27th January 2013

The Lewes Wanderers CC Reliability Trial is this year taking place on Sunday 27th January 2013.

Entries cost only £2.50 in advance or £5.00 on the line.
A copy of the entry form is here

The HQ including Start & Finish for the event will be Chailey Parish Hall (next to the Five Bells PH).

There are 2 routes this year - 53 miles or 35 miles - Route sheets with directions can be seen
here for the 53 - www.bit.ly/lwcc53

& here for the 35 -  www.bit.ly/lwcc35

Look forward to seeing you on the start line.

2013 Local Time Trial schedule

A provisional list of the local (London South District) OPEN time trials is on-line & available to view HERE

The Last Mag

A brief history of 'The Lewes Wanderer'

Michael Rabbetts started 'The Lewes Wanderer' our Club's monthly Newsletter in Jan 1990. You can view all editions from Jan 1999 (No 108) on our Archive Pages. Michael & Megan moved from Crowborough to live in Market Harborough, Leicestershire towards the end of 2003. Michael sadly died on 11th Sept 2004. (Obituary)

Sarah Baker Edited the Newsletter from October 2003 - February 2005.

Lesley May-Hills Edited the Newsletter from March 2005 to December 2005.


Chris Martin became the Newsletter's fourth Editor with the January 2006 (No. 190) publication. 'The Lewes Wanderer' is available as a ‘PDF’ download. The Magazine file size is displayed next to the view button.

Chris last magazine is the December 2012 (No. 262) publication which can be downloaded, as can all the other editions, from the club website.