Club Run Report - Sunday 5th May

Club Run to Holywell Tea Chalet, Eastbourne

Sunday 5th May by Paget Cohen

A fresh start with warmth promised meant absolutely no consensus on the clothing front amongst the 10 of us to congregate outside Boots.  Ian McG & I felt the need for full-finger mitts;  Carl M was still sporting tights;  there were no overshoes to be seen, but Stuart K went with an oversock (though that could have been a style thing);  Terry, Mark L and Herstmonceux John opted for sh

ort sleeves, although like Martyn C, Mark & John started with gillets and John teamed his with armskins.  All of which should have made Jan the least conspicuous among us except he was the only one in retro Lewes yellow.  Joining us for the first time was a young lad (whose name I didn't catch) new to road riding, but climbing strongly on his Specialized Allez.

Having narrowly failed to bag a rabbit as we headed out over the A22 we swooped en masse into Isfield where as Martyn bumped across the former level-crossing the peace of the morning was shattered by a sound I would liken to shunting shopping trolleys  He pulled up on the grass opposite, the front tyre wasn't (yet) flat, but bizarrely the valve has sheared clean off at the rim.

With Jan providing roadside assistance we were soon heading South again with a brief deviation from the A26 via Wellingham.  Jan left us at Earwig Corner (another boot fair?) and so 9 of us made for the joys of the Rodmell Road via the Southover cycle path.  Leaving Newhaven Carl missed the train at the last roundabout and was left to solo to Seaford where we soft-pedalled by the beautiful blue sea until he was back in the fold.

The Seven Sisters looked equally glorious in the sunshine, but John & Stuart weren't there for the sightseeing so we splintered and regrouped at Friston.  Terry said goodbye here, but we gained a few non-Wombles for the 2nd ascent of Beachy Head in 3 weeks.  Nice Martyn managed to ship his chain opposite the Belle Tout lighthouse which afforded me the luxury of climbing at my own pace without fear of being the one to keep hungry folks waiting.

Having dropped like a stone to Eastbourne seafront Ian then had to wait at the top of the vertiginous path down to the tea stop as neither Carl nor I were sure where it was.  It certainly is tucked away, but well worth seeking out on such a sunny day.  Suitably refreshed Stuart set about remedying the rear flat he arrived with only to tear the valve head off with his pump.  Never fear Mark L had a CO2 canister to aid inflation of the spare only to suffer premature discharge all over his fingers (*insert punch-line of choice here) and leave Martyn to finish the job with his rather splendid mini track-pump.  Spotting our jerseys a lady who knew Derek Agg came over to share some memories;  unluckily for her prior to the Audax Crew and the TN21 trio swelling our numbers.

I'd been quite prepared to sit in the club run wheels most of the way back, but with Gibbo and Captains Carbon and Slow now in attendance I could be escorted to my door for once.  Having safely delivered Bob Coleman through the cross-town traffic to Sovereign Harbour Gibbo led us back across the levels at a healthy lick - just fast enough to prevent me hitting the front;  Simon at least had his half-marathon of the day before as an excuse, Chris M was working on endurance.

As soon as we started uphill however Paul paid for his wind-breaking and Simon and I found ourselves pulling away.  Our joy was short-lived though as CC hit a big hole in Cowbeech and had to pull up outside the Merry Harrier to fix a pinch puncture.  It seemed only fair as we were using their forecourt to patronise their establishment and sample the beer garden.  Whistles whetted and tube replaced t'was but a short burst (excuse the expression) home.  66 thoroughly enjoyable miles for me at yet another club-run PB of 17.5mph, plus 2 lovely red tan lines where my sleeves didn't meet my gloves.

PS 2 things I forgot to mention & would post on the forum if I could:-

Most of you probably shop at the Tri-Store if anywhere in Eastbourne, but there is now a new 'facility' in the Station Car Park - Black Bikes mainly deal with Hire & Maintenance, but do stock some items for sale. Open Mon-Sat 9-5 except Weds am.

bb@blackbikes.uk.com

Don't quite know what it entails as I've only seen the signs and it's nothing to do with me, but there is a 'Bring & Bike' sale at St Lukes Church, Chiddingstone Causeway (adj Penshurst Station), Kent on Saturday 11th May.