Club Run Report - Sunday 2nd June

Club Run to Bodiam Castle

Sunday 2nd June by Paget Cohen

A glorious start to the day with the garden thermometer already showing double figures before breakfast meant it was time to give the LWCC mitts their first outing.  I was hardly late, but there was a crowd eager for the off outside Boots and soon 10 of us heading South into the countryside with only Terry letting the side down by not being in uniform.

With Ian back at the helm, and no Rob, the pace was brisk, but not such as to make a selection.  The fresh brown balls of dung on the road to Foxhunt Green should have been a warning to any of us with agricultural experience as we shortly found our way barred (or should that be 'baa-ed'?) by a slow moving flock of sheep and lambs being shepherded to a (thankfully) nearby field.

Once the road was clear we were able to continue our merry way through Horam, Vines Cross and Old Heathfield, pretty much following the course of last year's ESCA Reliability for those who remember it.  Unsurprisingly the gradient spoilt our previously tight-knit formation, but allowed Mickey T a chance to relieve himself outside the Heathfield School 6th Form Block - careful with that sort of thing Mickey.  In his defence he had been in the saddle for some 5 hours by now - leaving home at 4am to get some decent LEL training mileage in before lunch.  Stuart K had less time to spare so headed home rather than sample Broad Oak.

Still retracing the Reliability route we ducked down Swife Lane only to come up behind a car+trailer, though sensing we were going the quicker they kindly pulled over to let us pass.  Whether the 4x4 coming up the final chute stopped voluntarily I didn't see as I was off the back, but I squeezed past comfortably enough;  judging by the facial expressions of some of the daredevil descenders when I caught up with them they had something of a closer shave.  No such problems through Witherenden and Stonegate, but David Hodgson almost got wiped out by a blind driver pulling out in Ticehurst.

At the red light in Flimwell our captain briefed us all that we could look forward to a fast blast to Hawkhurst.  Despite making sure to put myself near the front within 1/2 mile I was spat out the back and forced to solo to the next lights - I would get my revenge.  Staying on the A268 East, but at a more reasonable rate, I was safely among the bunch when we took a right just before Sandhurst and took the opportunity to hit the front as the small lane went uphill.  We were now on the route of my first (proper) ride on the Giant (this time minus the sleet showers) so I knew quite what to expect - allowing the pack to overtake me on the drop into the valley only to blast past on the steep ramp out to pip Ian and Simon F to the Bodiam prime.

I've visited the Castle many times before, but never the cafe which is a shame as there was a good choice, fair prices (for NT) and a pleasant sheltered courtyard complete with a variety of birdlife for entertainment;  pity there's not much of a view.  Just as most of us were finishing our teas Chairman Slow and Gibbo rolled up which meant:- a) an extended chat and b) all 4 LEL trainees were now among us.

Back out towards Hurst Green and Chris was soon dropped never quite to return, our progress only slightly marred by yet more animal excreta on the plunging road to Salehurst.  We were delayed by neither A21 nor railway in Robertsbridge as we headed for Brightling, which, to paraphrase nice Martyn, is a lovely village, shame it's on top of such a hill;  it also seemed to be a mecca for hikers this particular morning.  Shunning Willingford Lane we veered left for Woods Corner then right for Dallington.  Once more motorised traffic enlivened our descent and knowing there's a tricky corner at the bottom I hung off the back.  Sure enough Mark L overshot onto the verge and was just resuming shaken, but not stirred when I arrived.  6 turned left for Rushlake Green while Mickey T joined the trio heading home to TN21, but even with 100 miles on the clock it was still an effort for me to stay with him.  57 miles for me, but I'm happy with that.