Monday 23 December 2013
Monday 9 December 2013
Club Run Report - 8th Dec 2013
Club Run to Blackstock Farm, Grove Hill
Sunday 8th December by Paget Cohen
Resisting Paul Gibbons' tempting offer of joining him churning the Friston Forest mud I resumed my Club Run routine for the first time in 5 weeks! The sunny skies had clearly dragged many more cyclists out as I'd passed 3 before I received a toot from John Miller in Cross in Hand, presumably driving to meet Gibbo for some off-road antics. Clouds may have been few and far between, but the roads bore an ominously slick sheen and it was mighty raw on the shady descents.
Turning right at the lights I was concerned by the apparent lack of green-and-white amongst the huddled cyclists that in my absence the club had been usurped from it's Sunday muster point. Upon closer inspection I needn't have worried for amongst the usual suspects in winter gear (Mark L, Terry, Brett, Dave Hodgson, Keyser Soze, Old Uncle Tom Cobley) were some Wombles rarely seen on a club run (Rob Rollings and Charlie Middleton) plus 5 (FIVE!) guests I'd yet to have the pleasure of being introduced to. Whilst exchanging pleasantries Darren and Ian McG rocked up and once, in light of last week's events (Get Well Soon Matt), our club runs leader had performed his Hill Street Blues routine - "Lets' be careful out there" - we set off Northwards.
Not for long though as we were merely embarking on an anticlockwise loop round to Isfield, before crossing the A26, past Bentley and down to the Broyle. I seem to recall that last time we emerged from Half Mile Drove bound for Glynde Ian took us left then right into Moor Lane. He's probably wishing he'd done so again as the right/left variation took us down a horribly messy Neaves Lane at the end of which three of our number came a (slow-motion) cropper behind me; apparently guest 'Gerry' low-sided forcing young guest Joe to muddy the shins of his jeans (!?) and Terry to be thankful for his motorcycle gauntlets(?!). No harm was done, but we'd barely all clipped back in when Dave Hodgson reported the latest in his spate of Autumn punctures. After seemingly an eternity of standing in the cold watching the passing (Bayeux) landscape we set off again towards the A27 cycle path. Leaving Middle Farm behind us we were making haste for Ripe when another guest - Joe's dad Martin - suffered our second flint induced deflation of the day; Dave putting his unfortunate recent experience to good use in assisting with tube replacement.
What further delights Ian had in store he'll have to save for another day as with 11 o'clock rapidly approaching we wasted little time making for cake via The Dicker, Michelham, Hailsham and, thankfully without incident, the site of last week's accident. Some familiar steeds were waiting patiently outside the tea stop and some familiar faces were to be found amongst the crowd inside - Messrs Mead, Leaney, Matthews, Martin, Armstrong & Watts. Breeze sufficiently shot we wrapped up to ward off the chill and set off once more to annoy any local motorists. Myself and Chairman Slow bade farewell in Horam to make our own way up through Vines Cross and Old Heathfield. Only 42 miles, but enough to sneak past my personal target of 4,000 for the year with still plenty of rides to come.
Wednesday 27 November 2013
If your feeling charitable, heres a good cause.....
From Ashley Leaney -
I've just had my 5th monthly chemotherapy cycle and have one more to go. Oddly, despite horrible side effects, I've kept all my hair and it's currently longer than it's been since 1996 so I've decided to ask people to sponsor me to shave it all off at a date to be arranged - possibly in the new year. Following which, I'm hoping to get back on the bike! Trying to be positive.
I'm doing it in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support who nursed my sister a few years back, have already given me some assistance and whose help I will doubtless need at some point in the future.
People can donate at: www.justgiving.com/
or by texting: TOSH52 followed by either £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070
Thanks in anticipation.
Cheers,
Ashley
Reg Porter Trophy - Round 1
Reg Porter Competition Round 1 : Tourist Trail
Sunday 10th November 2013
A bright sunny day greeted our contestants, but with a distinct nip in the air I was glad I wasn't going to have to fumble with pencil and paper out on the road. Twelve plucky souls (plus Nico along for the ride) assembled for the 9 o'clock start with Mr McGuckin noticeably keen to hare off before anyone could grab his wheel and take advantage of his navigational skills as per the norm on a Sunday morning. Only Graham Jeffs took the time to consider the challenge before clipping in so it was little surprise to me that the first competitors I should come across, as I set off to enjoy the roads less travelled, were him and the late-starting John Miller desperately seeking Potters Green. Ahead at the junction with the A272 I encountered a more confident Paul Gibbons, then John again in a valley as I headed back towards Blackboys. Beyond there I saw but Micky T, Terry (& Nico) at Lions Green before I assumed my seat by the door in the Dicker cafe.
Terry arrived with 10 minutes to spare having obviously given in to the cold judging by his half-finished answer sheet, but he had picked up Midgo by way of consolation. I counted them all out and I counted them all back with only Mr Miller incurring a penalty for lateness to the tune of 5 minutes. To his credit, whether he guessed it or not, he was the only one to get the Hale Green sign that had no other mileage references to help, but also the only one to fail to bag the Palehouse Common sign 50metres from his home! Nobody ever did find the sign for Potters Green nor follow me through Chalvington where they would have found the sign for Ripe. Worst guess was more likely a misreading or misunderstanding as, even at the pace he rides, I doubt Rob P was at any point 17 miles from Hawkhurst Common; he was however clearly the only one to make it as far South as Arlington Reservoir and yet somehow returned to the Dicker without logging the sign 500 yards from the finish, although 3 others failed here also!
As evidenced by the closeness of the final scores, and the similarity in their answers, several of our competitors almost certainly rode together and their strategy may well have paid off had they a) not been delayed helping Dr Stu heal a puncture, or b) managed a single correct guess amongst them. As it was the man with the winning combination of local knowledge and hard-riding ability was Mr Gibbons, just pipping Ian McG + Mr Jeffs, with the awesome foursome a further point behind. Without his time penalty Mr Miller would have been mid-table and not left Rob adn Micky quite so well placed ahead of the free-wheeling. Chairman Slow failed to cover himself in glory, but was still pondering whether the marks for the Tourist Rail should be weighted next year in light of it's demands, and at least he took part and is thus still in the running for this.
1st Paul Gibbons 13
=2nd Graham Jeffs 12
=2nd Ian McGuckin 12
=4th Stuart Anderson 11
=4th Brett Davis 11
=4th Alan Lloyd 11
=4th Mark Longhurst 11
=8th Rob Pelham 6
=8th Micky Turner 6
10th Terry Everest 5
11th Chris Martin 3
12th John Miller 2*
* including 5 points deducted for lateness.
SDW - The long awaited part 3 !!!
Day 3 : Saturday 13th July
A fantastic experience which I'd thoroughly recommend, and I'm not just talking about the beers afterwards. The SDW is raideable on a hybrid, never mind a suspension-free MTB, but is probably easier on a lightweight machine with at least front shocks - the Tri-Store Eastbourne has some of those very snazzy Cannondale Leftys with the single front fork - very tempting. It can be ridden unsupported, but a support vehicle with food, spares and a friendly face to meet you at every road crossing is good for confidence and morale so long as you keep stops to a minimum. Finally, as with most cycling, it's best done in the company of friends and riders of a similar ability; Phil and Kev did tremendously well given their bikes and lack of experience and already we're discussing doing it again next year, perhaps in 2 days.
Monday 4 November 2013
Club Run Report - 3rd Nov 2013
Club Run to Middle Farm, Firle
Sunday 3rd November by Paget Cohen
Having filled my Friday off with an 80 mile ride in the rain I'd had to pass up Mark Winton's offer of a Saturday MTB taster session in Stanmer Park in order to devote the time to cleaning the Marin again in preparation for Sunday. To my surprise I opened the curtains to not just sunshine, but apparently dry roads and a chance to get back out on the Giant. As I've reported before if I'm up early it almost guarantees I'll leave late and any attempt to make up time on the road was rendered impossible by a stiff headwind that had me churning a small gear just to maintain a sensation of making forward progress.
A large crowd awaited; so much so that I won't name them even if I could, but suffice to say they were all cyclists and all male as an excited female jogger noted. Terry had apparently already been for a ride so only joined us as far as the cinema while we held up traffic en route to Piltdown Pond. Turning left opposite the church in Fletching we crossed the A275 just North of North Chailey, but rather than head downhill towards The Sloop those on the front at the time - Gibbo and Pete Morris (slumming it with the also-rans) had us turn back uphill to rejoin the main road just before the roundabouts.
Whilst it's always good to have such a healthy turnout on a club-run it's rare that a large group stays together for long. If people aren't tailed off due to being differently-able then they can alternatively lose touch at junctions when others pull away ahead of approaching traffic. We experienced the flipsides to these scenarios in the next few miles as crossing Wivelsfield Common those in the vanguard missed Ian's exhortation to take a left and had to double back and make chase; then once together again and galloping South through Plumpton we passed the Winning Post only for Ian to have us hard a left onto a concrete farm track on which we encountered not a concrete cow, but a very much alive and startled horse that some of us thought best to give way to.
My gleaming white Giant may now have gained brown spots for effect (thanks Ian), but as no showers materialised I was happy with my choice to Defy the weather, unlike Brett who'd joined the winter-bike majority, but was consistently struggling to keep up on ill-fitting heavyweight. At least we were now back on tarmac and with the wind supposedly behind us all the way back to the tea stop. Having wended our way down to Cooksbridge we tacked North East to Barcombe then South East to Ringmer; albeit dropping a handful as we pulled out onto the A26. Never fear their loss had been noted and those ahead pulled in to wait once off the main highway. That of course creates it's own hazards as Matt occupied the piece of road Mark L wanted to move into and left him only a muddy verge to bail out onto.
Once all back in the saddle we climbed past the wind turbine, regrouped past the opera house then made our way back to the Laughton Road where Pete bagged the sprint for the sign, although Dom claimed to be riding for a different sign - one for the stewards. Into Middle Farm by the tradesmen's entrance to a further throng of Wombles drawn from far and wide by the mouth-watering morsels on offer. Back on the road we lost some, but briefly gained others for the attempted chain-gang back to Golden Cross. Once over the A22 Brett again started to wane so come Hale Green we let those Uckfield-bound go on and Ian, then Paul + myself took it upon ourselves to escort our comrade home. 54 dry and sunny miles in November - can't be bad.
Saturday 26 October 2013
ESCA Reliability Trial - Sunday 17th November 2013 - PRE-ENTRY REQUIRED BEFORE 8th NOV
The following is from ESCA's racing secretary, Ann Human
Please find attached details of this year’s East Sussex CA Reliability Trial to be held on Sunday 17th November 2013. At just £4 to enter, the event offers fantastic value for money for a 48 mile route covering some of the most scenic routes in the heart of East Sussex.
In fine ESCA tradition, the Reliability Trial is promoted by the club that holds the presidency and this year our 2013 President, Esther Carpenter, will be organising the event herself on behalf of Southborough & District Wheelers.
This information has been sent to a number of riders for whom I have email addresses, but would club secretaries please feel free to distribute amongst their members and post on their websites etc.
Kind regards
Ann
ESCA Racing Secretary
Entry Form can be downloaded from HERE
Route Details & Map can be downloaded from HERE
RidewithGPS details to download to GPS devices HERE
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS FRIDAY 8th NOVEMBER
Wednesday 23 October 2013
Club Run Report - 20th October 2013
Club Run to Petals for Plants, Broad Oak
Sunday 20th October by Paget Cohen
After last week's exploits I'd clearly need one heck of an excuse not to be out this Sunday, but I'd have preferred not to get soaked to the skin again. The forecast made choice of attire tricky - potential thunderstorms, but mild for the time of year. Not expecting to be standing about this week I decided to chance shorts, but go for layers up top. Out into light rain I was glad of the jacket, but come Framfield the sun was out and I was feeling distinctly overdressed. Passing 2 ladies planting (presumably bulbs) around the base of the village sign I could see no watering can between them, but there was no need as the heavens had reopened before I got to The Hare & Hounds and I had wet feet and streams across the road to contend with by Birdineye. Huddled under Boots canopy were 2 others who didn't learn their lesson last week - Ian & Mark, plus Bob Evans out for some punishment. The distinctive, hunched, elbows-out, blurred-legged figure of Gibbo on a single-speed appeared through the curtain of water soon after reporting much the same conditions and gardening that I had witnessed. As the rain intensified it occurred to me that we were waiting in a spot renowned locally for flooding, but as it abated slightly we set off South, picked up Darren coming the other way and it was bright and dry again by Palehouse Common. As we made West for Chiddingly the visibility issue was less due to spray than glare off the slick tarmac for those of us too cool for shades.
Darren was buoyant from a new 15second PB up Firle Beacon on the ESCA Hill Climb the day before, but was starting to regret the rain jacket as we approached Cogger's Cross. Ian ordered a halt for him to adjust his wardrobe, but with only a single layer underneath and no pocket large enough to pouch it he decided against disrobing. I took the opportunity, however, and was instantly recompensed as Ian & Paul pulled out onto the A267 ahead of a fast-approaching Range-Rover and, almost as if to spite Darren for holding us up, put the hammer down; although working together the 4 of us bridged before we peeled left for Hellingly village. Around this point the Rhino-Tape on my homemade mud-flap became detached and the remaining section cut from a rubber-glove began fouling the tyre; annoying as the whine was I figured it unlikely I'd be going far nor fast enough for it to penetrate a Schwalbe Marathon and I was right.
What goes down must go up, at least on Club Runs, so from Amberstone we ascended Cowbeech Hill, back down to Stunts Green, then North East towards Bodle Street. Turning North no sooner had Mark reported being struck on the head by an acorn then Bob must have run it over (the acorn that is) as he pulled up with a front puncture. Darren did start to remove his jacket again until we pointed to the clouds and reminded him of the inevitable consequence of doing so, and thanks to Bob's years of experience we were quickly back rolling on the reverse of the Hardriders course. Ian did toy with cutting through to Woods Corner, but took pity on Mark and settled for crossing Rushlake Green and attempting Flitterbrook Lane instead. Not that you can carry much speed through the s-bend in the valley, but we could have done without meeting a horse-rider down there. From Punnett's Town it was a straightforward route past Simon Farmer's and skirting Broad Oak with only a mountain-biker carrying a small dog under one arm providing anything noteworthy before we met Alan Lloyd turning into the garden centre car park.
Three instantly recognisable bikes were already tethered in the lobby and we found Tony G, Chris H and Bob Coleman hiding in a corner of the cafe, but imposed ourselves anyway for char and chat. The Audax crew had some more miles to cram in, but it was the direct route home for the rest of us; less than 40 miles, but enjoyable nevertheless.
Wednesday 16 October 2013
Club Run Report - 13/10/13
Club Run to Catford Hill Climb
Sunday 13th October by Paget Cohen
Yes there was one and, fool that I am, as I know that part of Kent well I had offered to devise a route so felt that despite the heavy rain forecast I ought to at least ride out to Uckfield just in case anyone else was daft enough to want to go further. The rain held off until after breakfast; starting just as I left the house straight into a headwind. I'd expected/hoped to find only Ian sheltering outside Boots, but there was a small crowd of the committed. Winter bikes and clothing were the order of the day. Micky T on his Australian Merida and wearing gillet over a jacket as is his fashion plus neoprene gloves. Mark was back on his Carrera and suited and booted for the elements. Terry brought along his new winter steed and a gillet with rear pockets specially designed for those with short arms. Brett had his top half sorted, but no tights or overshoes until his birthday on Tuesday, nor was he able to sort mudguards in time. Ian chose to ride his 'guardless' Tomassini and started without a jacket. Pretty-in-pink Peter Baker paused to say hello before continuing his merry way to wherever - I suspect Ide Hill was too close for his liking.
Passing their store (while it lasts) Ian did invite 2 In Gear riders to join us, but they declined to their detriment. We got as far as Ringles Cross before Mark pulled over with a screw loose - that attaching his rear disco light to his carrier - but he and his cycle-therapist Terry soon caught up. Our Tel only had time to accompany us up on to the forest so the hardcore half-dozen became the fearless five forging into the fog. Back down in Hartfield the visibility improved, but the rain was relentless. Past The Pantry we pressed on Northwards then took the left into Butcherfields Lane to emerge on the A264 to cross Holtye Golf Club. Into Cowden we took the left turn for the gentle gradient up to Cowden Pound. We were overhauled by a lone rider approaching the Queens Arms crossroads, but our interloper turned left for Hever while we kept on the ridge road to Mark Beech. Conditions were now sufficiently bad for Ian to don his postman's jacket, but despite being given the option to turn back the other four followed my order to charge down into the next valley for Chiddingstone.
I'd been feeling fine on the incline, but as we went downhill so did my mood as the acceleration brought home just how saturated my shoes and socks were. On top of that the mini ice-age we were experiencing had caused me to devolve to such an extent that I no longer had an opposable right thumb and had to change gear left handed. I could still pull the brake levers, but by now my brakes were more spongy than anything Mr Kipling has ever put his name to. Bough Beech was welcomingly familiar to some of my companions, but any lifting of spirits Mark and Brett might have experienced evaporated on Ide Hill. It had crossed my mind that the event we were going to see may have been cancelled, but there were too many cyclists about for that to be likely and indeed the roads and hilltop were heaving. Rider 50 or 51 was just crossing the line as we joined the throng, but much as we would have loved to have been there to cheer on our club-mates the chattering of our teeth told us that getting us inside and food inside us should be the priority.
Chartwell Barns Four Elms was surprisingly quiet, with only 3 GS Avanti riders amongst the more sane general public enjoying the fare. Toasted tea cake would never suffice on such a day - Ian, Micky and Mark selecting the, highly appropriate leek/leak soup; Brett a toastie in the hope he'd soon feel the same and good old beans on toast for myself. All were delicious and would no doubt have been served sooner if the staff didn't have to keep stopping to mop the floor around us.
Heading back out the rain seemed to have eased, but the first slight downhill to How Green was chilling indeed. Saving the sights of Hever Castle for another day we returned, up the long drag, to Mark Beech then made a bee-line along the B-roads back over the border and into Hartfield. Back in the summer the crawl through Chuck Hatch had found me out, but today I'd remembered not to leave my legs at the tea stop plus I had non-climbers Mark & Brett to make me look good. Pulling up in a lay-by on the forest (not that we could see more than a few feet of it) my computer was showing a nice round 50 miles with nothing but downhill for Micky and Mark, a rolling route for Ian and an incessant ramp for Brett and myself as I didn't fancy tackling the lanes without any brakes. Having chaperoned Brett to the end of his drive in Cross-in-Hand I was still meeting mad cyclists on my final few miles to home some 6 sodden hours after I departed.
PS. Sorry we weren't there to give you just that added extra, but congratulations to Mr Lowden Jnr on his splendid 3rd place on the hill climb and the photo plus mention on the Cycling Weekly website.
PPS. If you or anyone else you know are inspired to regale your club-mates, and the wider world, with tales of your cycling related exploits or interests then why not email them to Rob Pelham leweswandererscc@gmail.com for inclusion on the LWCC Blog.
Monday 7 October 2013
Club Run Report - 6/10/13
Club Run to LWCC Gents Grand Prix, Laughton
Sunday 6th October by Paget Cohen
First of the 'winter' schedule, but with bright sunny weather and 20 degrees forecast for later I braved short-fingered gloves and short-sleeved summer jersey plus gillet. Given the 9am rendezvous I had intended to get up at the same time as usual and take in an extra loop towards Jarvis Brook, but despite getting up in time for whatever reasons I failed to hit the road until 8:25 so only had time to take in Hadlow Down and Buxted. To my relief I wasn't alone as Dave Hodgson was waiting and Micky T, complete with log-fingered mitts, long-sleeves and leg-warmers, soon rolled in. Darren was next up, but come 9:05 with no Ian nor anyone else showing we had to decide between ourselves which way to go. Waldron then Horam was the consensus and Micky took it upon himself to lead us back the way I normally come through Framfield, and Blackboys. My choice of attire was vindicated uphill and in the sun, but it was still relatively 'freezing' in the shade and downhill.
Fed up with the poor surface of the B2102 we took Possingworth Lane to Waldron then the familiar route through Lions Green to Horam. My legs had felt tight from the off, but I now started sensing a slight pain behind my left knee so was glad of some horse-riders temporarily delaying our train as we turned left for Marle Green. Anticipating Grove Hill I removed my gillet on the approach and caught up on the steep bit. Past Hellingly Hospital Dave and I though better of following Micky across the bows of an oncoming Fiesta and just about made the right hander to the village in its wake. Buoyed by his last week's victory on handicap Darren now resumed time-trial mode and dragged us down the A22 all the way to Golden Cross from where we rejoined the quiet lanes to Laughton.
A disappointing turn out for the 2up, but no shortage of Yateses; congratulations to Messrs Morris and Lowden Snr on a home win. Micky had to be home early so made his own way back, but we gained Ian, Midgo and the last and first on GC from a late 40s Giro d'Italia - Gibbo in the now defunct black shirt and the pink jersey on the shoulders of Darren's better half. With a guest in our midst, but a lack of miles in the legs of those on earlier TT duties the easiest solution was to head back the way we came, albeit with a diversion to Selmeston for a change. Close formation and a high tempo were maintained pretty much all the way to The Dicker, where Darren and his good lady bade farewell. Ian stopped for a chat so was still behind when we met the A22 again so Gibbo announced he was nipping off for a comfort break. We expected to see his Kinesis up ahead, with or without him astride it, as we wended our way up through Gun Hill, but that was the last we saw of him for our ride so I do hope he's okay. I slipped off the back as the road levelled into Horam, but Ian & Dave sat up to say cheerio and Midgo to drag me back through Vines Cross and Old Heathfield; a healthy 53 miles in 3 hours of riding.
Friday 4 October 2013
Club AGM - 14th January 2014 at Laughton Village Hall, 19:30
The Club AGM will be held at Laughton Village Hall on 14th January 2014 starting at 7:30pm
An agenda will be available on the day and I shall endeavour to circulate an agenda to everyone in advance (not so easy without a magazine)
In the mean time if any member has an issue/motion to include on the agenda please contact Mark Winton by 30th November 2013
Telephone 01273 584973.
email mark.winton1@tiscali.co.uk
Letters to: 9 Swannee Close, Peacehaven, East Sussex, BN10 8EZ
An agenda will be available on the day and I shall endeavour to circulate an agenda to everyone in advance (not so easy without a magazine)
In the mean time if any member has an issue/motion to include on the agenda please contact Mark Winton by 30th November 2013
Telephone 01273 584973.
email mark.winton1@tiscali.co.uk
Letters to: 9 Swannee Close, Peacehaven, East Sussex, BN10 8EZ
Wednesday 2 October 2013
Circuit of Chailey - Perspective of a TT virgin
Circuit of Chailey - Perspective of a TT virgin
Sunday 29th September by Paget Cohen
I didn't join the club in order to ride time trials as it had never appealed to me, plus I didn't think I'd be any good. I thought I might do relatively better at hill climbs, but I really wasn't in sufficiently good shape to consider the ESCA Hardriders and I missed the club's annual assault on Firle Beacon due to a major c**k up on my part as to Bank Holidays - I glanced at the calendar over a leisurely late Monday breakfast to realise I should have been at work! As it had always been my intention to participate in at least one competitive event this year that only left Chailey, whose lumpy profile might at least suit my riding ability and compact road bike, even if a 50:12 top ratio might see me hitting the 'rev-limiter' downhill. Ride preparation consisted of no more than Sunday Club Runs and the occasional commute from Heathfield to Eastbourne; the 20 mile scenic route I opt for should at least have prepared my body for the duration of effort required, although I normally 'die' on the slight incline from Rushlake Green to Three Cups.
Conditions on the day were as good as could be wished for - dry, bright, 15 degrees or so (warm enough for short sleeves) and what wind there was coming from the East (so no headwinds). I'd have been embarrassed not to complete the 17.58miles within an hour, I'd have been happy with 55 minutes and I dreamed of 52:44 to average 20mph. Looking at the start sheet and last year's result I doubted I'd be able to catch anybody starting ahead and fully expected the 6 behind to pass me before the finish so I'd have to concentrate on how I was feeling in order to pace myself.
In hindsight I needn't have arrived so early as an hour was plenty of time to get ready, but also for the butterflies to build. At 9:14 I was off, on the small chain-ring as I felt sure the lactic acid would kick in if I even attempted to power up the first climb. My minuteman Rob Rollings roared past me before we even reached the support of Micky T and Gibbo on the A272, a taste of things to come I feared. I pegged the gap to Rob on the slight uphill and left turn, but he was out of sight for good by the time John Miller directed me South onto the A275 and I braced myself into becoming a mobile chicane for others. I had a nervy moment on the incline past the Horns Lodge Inn to the brickworks when a Volkswagen Golf threatened to reverse into my path, but still I hadn't been jumped by Mr Jeffs. Instead to my surprise I crested the rise to espy another competitor up ahead. I felt I was going well, but assumed they must have had some trouble for me to have them in sight, but it helped to have someone to chase.
Common wisdom would have it that when venturing into the unknown you should stick as much a possible to what you already know, but I'd acquired some free gels with my Tour de France preview pack last year and today seemed like as good a day as any to try them particularly as they were now just past their best before. I can assure you some of it went in my mouth as I tasted something sweet and fruity even if it looked like I'd just squirted the contents over myself. Up the hill after The Rainbow I was finally caught (by Lawrence Watts on camera), but lost my rabbit as number 8 pulled over to chat to a marshal - turns out Mike Hannay had followed a sportive arrow in South Chailey and spent several minutes going the wrong way before rejoining just in front of me. I may have lost my rabbit, but I'd gained 4 non-competitors to now chase down who I was on the brink of catching at Holman's Bridge when Pete Morris passed me for 6 minutes. Both of us were through them by the next mini-summit only for 2 of them on bikes fitted with tri-bars to retake me just before the junction Chris Hough was manning. This proved a blessing in disguise however as they weren't slow on the flat and I was able to tuck in behind them for some shelter down Markstakes Lane.
Turning left I was back on my own, but still feeling good and again through South Chailey I spotted another time-triallist to aim for in the distance. Having emptied my second gel down my front and the bike I overtook Keith Walker at the last crest before The Rainbow and immediately saw yet another race number to home in on. The excellent marshals by the pub not only stopped a 4x4 from turning across me, but confirmed my next target as our resident triathlete Debbie Evers. I certainly found the second ascent of Deadmantree Hill harder than the first as I felt the need to stand on the pedals near the top, but it helped morale to have someone even slower to overhaul. To my astonishment I'd now gained more places than I'd lost, but if I was feeling the crosswind on exposed sections of the Northbound leg it must have been worse for those with disc wheels. Out of the last junction I got out of the saddle to accelerate into one final effort and found a train of female sportive riders in front of me. Sadly they weren't quick enough to provide any sort of tow, but they did provide me with a succession of intermediate targets to take me all the way to the finish line. I forgot to look at my computer as I passed Richard Mead, but since it read 52:13 when I pulled up at the end of the road I assumed I must have either found a shortcut or still had another lap to do, not that I was keen at the time.
Having exceeded my wildest expectations one wonders if I could have gone any quicker. Things definitely went my way in terms of the traffic, both motorised and self-propelled. Even without heart-rate monitor or cadence meter I feel I paced it very well; I wasn't dead on the line, although Dave Hodgson was kind enough to remark on how knackered I looked, but it's hard to see how I could have gone faster anywhere on the same equipment. There's some room for improvement in gear selection now I know the course, and perhaps with tri-bars and a bigger top gear I could beat 50. Certainly with a machine of the sort most others rode I'd like to think that would be the bare minimum I could achieve, but while I enjoyed it more than I anticipated I think I've left it a bit late to get seriously into this pointy hat lark, but I'll undoubtedly do it again sometime. Many thanks to all the pushers-off, marshals, time-keepers, caterers and Alan Lloyd for organising it all and the apology.
Monday 23 September 2013
Club Run Report - 22nd Sept 2013
Club Run to Middle Farm, Firle
Sunday 22nd September by Paget Cohen
My tyres didn't need much pumping to get them up to maximum pressure, but either I had the beginnings of a fever or it was a lot milder than the grey skies made out; either way I decided at the last minute to leave the armskins on the kitchen table. The ride to Uckfield persuaded me that I wouldn't need the gillet for long either and the arrival of Mr Pelham at Boots was all the convincing I needed to stash it in a back pocket. The clement weather had caught most on the hop as the majority of the 9 who set out sported long sleeves and Rob and Terry had even gone with 3/4 length tights.
Once it was clear that neither au pair nor Dr Stu were going to join us Ian signalled for the off Northwards towards Piltdown with an acquaintance of Rob's tagging along on a single-speed cruiser. We'd dropped him and Ollie by The Peacock, but waited for the Wanderer as were about to turn right past the golf club for Down Street. Detour to avoid Fletching complete we tacked West for Sheffield Green, Freshfield Crossways and Walstead where we encountered our first jogger. Up Snowdrop Lane we passed so many more I half thought we'd found ourselves amidst a fun run. Slugwash Lane passed with only a hairy moment for Darren as he ran wide and a long wait for the fast men as Mark was trying to ride off a hangover. Up to now there had been so little worth writing home about that I took matters into my own hands; at the bottom of the land heading South out of Wivelsfield the road we had to cross had been freshly dressed with loose chippings, the guys ahead braked harder than I expected, I ran out of spare tarmac, failed to unclip and had time to call 'timber' before I hit the deck - serves me right for not wearing my Womble costume.
Returning to the vertical I rejoined the pack making for Streat, a lane popular with horse-riders also. With no delays of note it was far too early to turn in the direction of the tea stop so Ditchling Beacon it was. Ian had reassured Mark that we'd all stay behind him, but that lasted as far as the first ramp. For the record Rob took the prime and maximum KOM points followed by Midgo and Terry, with Dave Hodgson just pipping me for 4th. Over the top I received proof, if it were ever needed, of the benefit of drafting when as Mr P blew by me I dug in to grab his wheel and had to ease up to avoid going into the back of him. Yuriy Tymchenko made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance at the top of Coldean Hill, but didn't join us for the freewheel. From Stanmer Park it was the usual blast along the A27 and into Lewes. Having impressed me with his climbing earlier Dave showed off his bike-handling skills in town when taking drastic action to avoid the cars ahead that had stopped for no apparent reason. Having briefly lost Rob and Darren to the distraction of the brewery we lost Midgo completely as he hared off down the A27 cycle-path without us. We lost Rob again before the tea stop, this time to a rear flat (should have ridden a Giant); just for once I was on the front and didn't notice so it was left to Terry and Ollie to provide roadside assistance.
Middle Farm was as good as ever, particularly the slab of apricot flapjack I treated myself to, and before long we were joined by Chairman Slow, the Audax Crew and Gibbo + Windy with some soil samples fresh from the South Downs. The mudpluggers + Chris joined us for the race home with riders peeling off from Laughton onwards. Having lost CM & Gibbo somewhere near Halland, Midgo and I delivered John to his door before resuming our now traditional 2up back to Heathfield. Just shy of 60 miles for me, but a thoroughly enjoyable ride despite the fall.
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