Club Run to Camelia Botnar, West Grinstead
Sunday 18th August by Paget Cohen
6:45 and I opened 1 curtain to bright sunshine (hurray!) and wet roads (boo!). Still there looked to be a fresh breeze so it should dry up quickly. As with a fortnight ago I turned left in Cross-in-Hand to spy a LWCC jersey in the distance. Unlike 2 weeks before I didn't catch up until after we'd both wished a good morning to Yates & Sons at Bird-in-Eye and it wasn't Midgo ahead, but our illustrious chairman - back in the saddle for the first time since having to abandon his brave LEL attempt. Also ready for the off were Ian McG, Matt from Lewes, Darren, Dr Stu, Mark L and Terry having made a miraculous recovery from his supposed broken collarbone. Along for the ride was Paul, down from Cockermouth partly to enjoy the apparently superior road surfaces of Sussex!
For those who were there and can remember, or those who read my report, we took the same pleasant way out to Cuckfield as we followed when heading for Stanmer Park - Piltdown Pond, Fletching, Sheffield Green, Mascalls, Walstead and Lindfield. This time, however, I avoided getting unhitched and hopped on the Westward express down the B2115, over the M23, across at Warninglid and onto some roads I'd never ridden before through Lower Beeding. Back onto some familiar swooping lanes around Mannings Heath Golf Club and back through the village itself I was feeling relatively good on the succession of short sharp climbs so took a turn on the front for the brief burst down the A281 to Monk's Gate. More villages I'd not had the pleasure of riding through before - Nuthurst and Maplehurst - brought us to our tea stop before 10:30 and the crowds. Plenty of choice of refreshments and places to sit, but we settled on some damp tables and chairs out back and a range of fare from the old favourites to a cappuccino and a bacon butty.
We were just getting clipped back in when Bob Evans rolled up expecting elevenses. Cursing us and his misfortune he exacted partial revenge on those with heavy bellies by hitting the front after Partridge Green and setting a keen pace through the drizzle back to Albourne. Beyond Hurstpierpoint our ride became somewhat more hazardous as we encountered numerous horse-riders down New Way Lane, then the heavens opened in Clayton and we faced a ridiculous amount of oncoming cars (including a convoy of MX5s) down Underhill Lane, much to Chris's chagrin. My Giant's handling became decidedly disconcerting in the downpour, to the extent that I feared I had a puncture, but as the rain passed come Westmeston so normal service was resumed.
We waved cheerio to Stu at the Streat turning and so ensued the anticipated B2116 burn-up. The nine-man TTT maintained formation until the slight slope past the Half Moon, then split into a 4 and a 3 with Paul and I just about keeping the others in sight. Heading back into the wind had been a steady stream of sportive riders and there were more to be found amongst the motorised traffic in Cooksbridge, although our group had lost Matt and Bob to the lure of Lewes. Heading for Hamsey Mark suddenly pulled up in pain - a legacy of the 100mile Haywards Heath Howler he rode last week. We left Terry in charge of nursing him and Paul back to Uckfield and the remaining 4 turned right for Barcombe and Ringmer. Darren veered left for the Broyle and then there were 3 enjoying the tailwind to Laughton where Ian took his leave.
From past experience I'd been looking forward to riding 2up back to Heathfield with Chris, but without a group to hide behind my exertions caught up with me come Muddles Green and I suffered the ignominy of being dropped by Chairman Slow on the uphill version of the freewheel course! The next time I saw him he was standing at the end of his driveway, slippers (well shower-sandals) on and a pint (of water) in his hand, where he managed to keep me chatting just long enough for the latest shower to cool my final 1/2 mile home. 72 satisfying miles up to then; 8am meet for Box Hill next week.
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