Club Run to Battle High Street

Club Run to Battle High Street

Sunday 4th August by Paget Cohen

Knowing whatever route to Battle is sure to be hilly I decided to follow Midgo's example, if not the man himself, and spin my way to the rendezvous.  Coming out of Framfield I met Stuart Anderson, resplendent in full Team GB kit, coming the other way and he needed little persuasion to return to Uckfield even if he couldn't join us as he had a dog show to attend.  Another canine lover is Terry; not fit enough to ride, but sufficient to exercise his  spaniel and in very good spirits considering his broken collarbone.  There to offer some first-hand sympathy was John Miller and, thankful that it wasn't them, Ian McG, Stuart K, Dave Hodgson, Brent and another new boy John - some time resident of Uckfield and keen sportive rider now considering the benefits of membership of a club;  I do hope we sold it well.

Slight variation to last week's out-run as we took the first left at Hawkhurst Common to pass The Star at Waldron then straight on at Lions Green to emerge on the A267 from Furnace Lane rather than Hanging Birch.  New John seemed to cope quite well from the off, not that we were pushing it as Ian was nursing a leg problem, but Brent required a little more consideration.  Peeling left in Horam we cut through to Vines Cross where the new John slipped the chain on his Specialized just as the road headed back downhill.  Once re-engaged he and I had a spell on the front and a chat as we continued via Cowbeech and Trolliloes towards Bodle Street with horses providing the only traffic to contend with.  The route East from Prinkle Lane is a succession of scenic if hairy peaks and troughs through the likes of Brownbread Street, Ponts Green and Penhurst.  Nevertheless we were still just about all together as we passed the octagonal tower at the foot of the last climb.  Some of us looked more 'all-in' by the Steven's Crouch junction with the A271, but from there we were only a brief chain-gang from a cuppa in the shadow of Battle Abbey, or not as the sun was still high in the sky.

As is common we were on the brink of finishing our excellent refreshments when other Wanderers arrived to join us - one of our LEL legends (Gibbo), followed shortly by Mr & Mrs Midgeley and then 4 of the Audax Crew on some surprisingly flashy machinery - a Dedacciai and Scott among them.  The outside seating at Mrs Burton's Tearoom was unsurprisingly popular on such a fine day so most of the club run took their arrival as a cue to free up some tables and chairs whilst I hung around to hear more of Paul's heroics, before he headed off to Exceat and to ride back with Charlie and Chantelle.

Mrs M doesn't get out on the bike as much as us guys so our pace was civilised and convivial.  Not that I couldn't have guided us back through the lanes, but the main road is marginally shorter and easier and far from busy or short of scenery itself.  After turning right for Netherfield and emerging from the tree cover Chantelle had the double misfortune of her back brake binding as her chain came off her Specialized (spot a trend here) unceremoniously dumping her in the road.  No obvious damage to the Dolce once readjusted and nothing serious to Chantelle as far as I could tell as we managed to ride together all the way back to The Beehive with only a brief pause on the hill to Woods Corner and a sensible diversion via Dallington.  Only 45 miles, but a thoroughly sociable and enjoyable morning, who needs Ride London?