SCCU 50 - 23rd July 2013

Now that Nick Dwyer is currently concentrating on his Road Racing, & other TT'ing fast Wombles deciding against the revised SCCU 50 course, it was a reduced team of only 4 who made the trip over to Dial Post for the start of the 2013 edition.

Stevie D was bang on it again, getting the better of Steve Kane by 10 seconds, 1:51:42 & 1:51:52 respectively.

Neither needed to go so fast as I was 3rd with 1:54:37, a MASSIVE 5 secs quicker than Martin Williamson in 1:54:42.

Pete Morris, back in his proper colours was next with 1:57:32 ahead of NKOTB Phil Allen's 1:58:29.

With 3 of Team Womblez in the top 6 we secured the team win & retain the Roberts Sheild for another season.

Good Work Team :o)

*Mr Lloyd was still battling with the A24 when I took this really bad pic, sorry Sir.

Tour de Dorset

Tour de Dorset

An Ian Landless promotion Reporter Richard Thomas (DOWNLOADABLE VERSION WITH PICS)
For the third year in a row Ian has provided a cracking good week on the bike. To say the routes he had chosen were challenging is perhaps an understatement!
We did realise what was ahead of us, but put it to the back of our minds as we set out from various points in Sussex on Monday 13th May to rendezvous at the M27 services near Southampton

So there we were, all 10 of us, with the Lewes Wanderers in the majority, so much so that the Eastbourne Rovers had to recruit two guest riders to match the Lewes in number.
Ian had chosen his squad wisely, with a mix of age and experience. Grimpeur specialists Graham Jeffs and Tony Gale were joined by sprinter extraordinaire Adrian Hills and super domestique John Gallsworthy, riding sans mudguards for greater speed and lightness.
The Rovers relied on powerhouse Kevin Burton and marginally adequate grimpeur Richard Thomas, with back up from Alan Symonds

13th May

Prologue.

marshalling the team in times of disarray. Guests riders were Chris Colyer, brought in as a super domestique to bring the remains of the peleton up to the leaders (usually the Wanderers) once a gap appeared and the rapidly improving Paul Burges, CTC, whose climbing speed and ability improved considerably as the week progressed.
We all arrived at the Royal Hotel, Weymouth in time for lunch in a local cafe before an afternoon ride to Moreton.
Weymouth-Moreton- Weymouth 46.29km

Leaving the seafront and heading east, we were soon on the first climb of the day, which came as a bit of a surprise to some 
The sun shone but the wind had an edge as we swooped through the undulations of the Wessex countryside. Arriving in Moreton, we first visited the grave of TE Lawrence (of Arabia). He was killed in a motor bike accident nearby.

 

We then visited the local church, being unusual in having etched glass windows rather than stained glass. The unusual format was a result of a second world war bomb taking out the side of the church, windows and all. Hence when it came

to rebuilding the result is what you see today.
Thence to the cafe for sustenance before a trip down to the local river for a brief reflection on the day so far, before heading back to our Weymouth Hotel for the evening.

14 May

Stage 1

Weymouth- Abbotsbury-West Bay-Beaminster-near Dorchester- Weymouth

86.92km

The weather forecast was for rain, but we didn't expect quite so much as was delivered! We left our hotel at the appointed time of 9:30am and rode out of town along Granby Way (B3157) and stayed on this road through Chickerell. Soon after, a left turn had us heading to Langton Herring and Rodden on minor roads with occasional views towards Chesil Beach, and thence onto New Barn Road. This took us to Abbotsbury, past the Swannery on our left and into the village. By now the

rain had become a significant factor as we regrouped in Market Street. Adrian had decided to turn back just before Abbotsbury as he was "pedalling squares".
Rejoining the B3157, ahead of us was the daunting climb of Abbotsbury Hill, engage low gear and grovel! The climb has a max gradient of 17% and an average of 8.7%. I was down to 5.2 kph at one point. As

the sign indicates in the above photo in Abbotsbury, before the climb, we were heading for Swyre and Burton Bradstock before a welcome cafe stop in West Bay.
We stayed nearly an hour, most of us stoking up on something cooked. Tony Gale got a bit confused over which garment zipped to which and needed the help of the proprietress. She even took a photo of us all as we were leaving, 9 souls damp in body but not yet in spirits! (see later in the afternoon!).

Suitably refreshed we passed through Bridport on our way to Beaminster, via Bothenhampton, West Allington, and Symondsbury (Alan's hometown maybe?) Broadoak and Stoke Abbot, where the next significant climb was tackled before the downhill run to Beaminster.
The cafe could not take nine of us so whilst Alan and John went into various shops to buy bonk rations for the return we all shivered in the market square, eyeing up a couple of pubs opposite. After much deliberation, and no let up in the rain (12mm that day) we three (Kevin, Graham and Richard) decided to press on. We had covered some 49km. It was seriously uphill for the next 2 km on the B3163 Whitcombe Road, at an average gradient of 7%, to a right turn just south of Toller Wholme. This road took us on the old Roman Road, variously named as Barrowland Lane, past Shatcombe Lane junction (see also Thursday's ride) where Kevin nearly lost his map in the wind and rain, difficult to fold in those conditions! and on to the A35 at Winterbourne Abbas for a short sprint to turn left onto the B3139 through Winterbourne Steepleton and Martinstown then up and over Goulds Hill (140mAOD), climbing at 10-12 km/h, to Upway. We then joined the old Dorchester Road (which is west of the A354) where the signpost read "Weymouth 10 miles". At least we now knew how much further we had to go/endure timewise, passing through Nottington and then the environs of the conurbation that is Weymouth to our hotel.
On arriving back at the hotel cold and wet I put the kettle on, Kevin was first in the shower so I warmed up in front of the hairdryer! Very effective. Having both returned to "normal" we then went out for something to eat, having missed lunch and dinner was not until 7:15pm. In the bar before dinner we caught up with the others and their tales of woe and intrepidity. Adrian made Graham a cup of tea on his return, Alan stood in the shower drinking his and everyone was pleased to have got back without a visit from the p**ct**e fairy, as with cold hands getting the tyre back on the rim would have been a challenge.
Ride stats; Ride time 4:33:59; Ave 19.0km/hr; Max 65.6km/hr, climbing 1977m Min temp 4oC, wind SSW 16km/hr; Distance 86.92km
15 May Stage 2 The "Queen" stage
Weymouth-Bere Regis-Corfe Castle- Lulworth Cove - Weymouth 108.02km
The overnight rain had ceased and the sun was shining and all was right with the world as Ian led us out through Weymouth on the neutralised section, in a north easterley direction on the "main" road (B3155) on a slight drag to Preston. Soon after that the hills appeared and the splits opened up as the peleton, with tired legs, tried to hang on to the mountain goats on the way to Osmington, before descending to Poxwell (don't drink the water!).
Crossing the Wareham Road we proceeded to Warmwell, Crossways and over Pallington Heath (more climbing!) before descending to Affpuddle, to cross the A35 to Milbourne St Andrew where we overshot a right turn so a bit of a retrace thence to Bere Regis and elevenses, sought out by John G. It was in a very pleasant pub "The Drax Arms" with an extremely obliging landlady, who plied us with coffee and cooked fare. It was difficult to tear ourselves away, we were there for over an hour, but our leader was chomping at the bit ,so....Here we are just about to leave, has anyone seen Alan? Alan subsequently appeared so we were on our way to Corfe Castle for lunch.

Minor roads took us up Rye Hill to Lane End and Lower Woodbury onto Sugar Hill which was downhill for us fortuitously, to Trigon and Coldharbour thence to Wareham. We were heading to Ridge via Nutcrack Lane yet our leader's usually impeccable navigational skills deserted him at this point, as we went round the bypass (A351) then left into West Lane and back towards Wareham, past Nutcrack Lane! We got to the bridge over the River Frome when realisation dawned, we turned round and finally got to the Lane. So we did over 4km whereas if we had ridden through Wareham on North Street it would have been 3km shorter! We passed through Ridge and Arne Road took us to Corfe Castle and lunch.
Here we are at lunch, so what is Ian wearing as a safety helmet? 

  

On leaving I stopped to take a photo and lost sight of the rest so stopped at the cross roads and tried to work out how to get to Lulworth Cove. Fortunately I was missed and Tony and Ian came back to find me. They had taken the left turn onto the Tyneham Road before realising I was missing. So we proceeded through Church Knowle up through Steeple (or should that read "Steep Hill!), climbing from 18m elevation at the cross roads to 165 m elevation at the top of the climb.
Our chosen route to Lulworth Cove was closed, due to Army target practice with live amunition and we only found out after negotiating the significant climb that was not to everyone's taste. This meant that we had a detour of over 13km (8 miles) instead of the direct route of 5km (3 miles).

  

for an ice cream 
Not a day for the sprinters and lead out men as the photos show!

So we then went down the other side and on an 8 mile detour to Lulworth Cove.
It was worth it as when we arrived we stopped

 

The chap on the right did an interesting line in painted shells, and after I had taken a photo of him, he got his camera out and took one of me, how bizarre!

 

Alan seems to have the same idea, above!

We stayed some time there and spoke to some people who came from Eastbourne!
Quite a "touristy" place, with no motorised vehicles allowed down the narrow road to the Cove.
The climb out from the Cove was another challenge for tired legs, and we ended up "en ligne", gaining 75m in elevation.

We then came across a "Closed Road" sign. In typical optimistic fashion, we ignored it and went on, to be confronted by several electricity company operatives replacing a cable across the road, with this "currently" at ground level. Some diplomacy ensued which resulted in us being allowed through "as long as you don't touch the cable"
We eventually returned to the B3155 and retraced our outward route back to Weymouth, lining it out and "treading the pedal to the metal". Chris showed commendable enthusiasm which broke the elastic so a bit of "pianissimo" ensued so that we could regroup and reach our hotel all together (some may have felt more "in bits" than together after a hard day with the aggregate amount of climbing being more than 2300m).
Ride stats; Ride time 4:58:51; Ave 21.7km/hr; Max 52.0km/hr, climbing 2382m Ave temp 16.3oC; Distance 108.02km; Overall time 7:54:54; Cals burnt 3520.
That evening your scribe, having inspected his brake blocks, went to Halfords as the shop was near to the hotel, and bought 2 new pairs for the princely sum of £9.98. The conversation with the Bike Hut mechanic went something like this;

Me Mechanic Me Mechanic

"I would like some brake blocks please, Shimano 600,Ultregra, 105" "No mate, don't know what you're talking about"
"Blocks for road bikes!"
"Oh right, here they are" (produces two Clarke Bros products, one in metal shoe (a
la Ian's bike) and one in a rubber block, 105 pattern, these being the one's I bought)

So that's the level of knowledge of Halford's employees who may be more at home with mountain bikes, hybrids etc.
Our leader declined to accompany me even though it was he who pointed out the shop's location. Regrets, he's had a few since then, read on!

Thursday 16th May Stage 3
Weymouth -Cerne Abbas-Litton Cheyney-Portesham-Weymouth 81.54 km
The peleton, now with very tired legs from yesterday's climbing, took some time to get into it's stride as it headed east out of Weymouth, following the same climb as Monday afternoon (Coombe Valley Road), not good for cold legs! At the top we turned left onto Chalky Road (on Monday we went straight on at the cross roads, see past Came Down Golf Course, then through Winterborne erringstone and Winterborne Came. In Puddletown we overshot a left turn to Piddlehinton and had to retrace
to the correct road and then onward to Piddletrenthide then a steep climb just before Cerne Abbas to
our cafe stop for a late "elevenses" at Abbots Cafe.

 

Ian explains to Graham that the rest of the day is just a series of ups and downs, such that soon after we left the cafe, at the crossroads with the Dorchester Road (A352) Adrian and Alan decided to head back to Weymouth. The remains of the group crossed the main road and into
minor roads, tackling three significant climbs (15%) in the next 15km. At the top of the second climb we crossed Long Ash Lane (A37) having ridden the road that runs south of Up Sydling and north of Sydling St Nicholas. We then headed
SW descending to Maiden Newton, doing a bit on A356 before turning left into lanes once more and the third climb via Wynford Eagle to West Compton. It was at this junction on Tuesday afternoon that Kevin had difficulty folding his map in the wind and rain when we were on our way back from Beaminster. So it was that we turned left to follow our Tuesday route for a short while, in much better conditions before turning right. Having crossed the A35 into White Way we descended a very steep hill that included a 25% segment down to the T junction in Litton Cheney. 

Our venerable leader became our vulnerable leader as, with no back brake (the metal shoe dug into the metal rim, not a good omen!), he was relying on the front brake to arrest his progress on the 25% section. The front brake did it's job, but not in the conventional way, choosing to grab at the
front wheel, upend the rear and dump said rider unceremoniously onto the tarmac. Arising, fortunately unscathed, he wondered why the handlebars exhibited a droop on the left hand side, and on closer inspection discovered that they had broken! Fortunately the bar broke at the bend so there was enough straight bit to hang onto, although climbing hills was not easy, Ian did not walk any climb, well done.
Ian walked the rest of the descent to meet Graham and the rest of us, and to regale his tale of woe. 
We then turned left (eastwards) to Long Bredy and Littlebredy before a climb up to Coombe Road and a descent into Portesham. We stopped here to try for a very late lunch but the pub had stopped serving food. Undaunted we went to the local service station and stocked up on bonk rations. 

As it was not too far back to Weymouth we declined a short detour west into Abbotsbury for tea and decided to head back to Weymouth.
Whilst stopped in Portesham we came upon three riders on electric bikes, the proprietor of the firm was one of them. He gave me a leaflet for "Electric bike adventures" Guided tours on said bikes to "wonderful West Dorset destinations" see www.marshwoodtrails.co.uk He said that at least you get an easy ride up hills and can look at the scenery! The bikes have a range of about 40 miles per charge, more if you recharge them whilst having lunch.

Anyway we returned to Weymouth via Brandon Lane through Tatton and Nottington, where we joined the road into Weymouth, just south of our Tuesday joining point. No more hills!
Towards the end of the ride a young lad, riding with bravado, came by us so we had a bit of a "ding dong" with him, all good fun.

So we all got back, then Ian and Tony found a bike shop and after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing got a set of bars, which super mechanic Adrian fitted that evening. The old bars had a reduced section on the top at the break, which may have been caused by corrosion from sweaty hands. A lesson for us all.
Footnote; On returning home, Ian took his bike into Adam at Kontour and was advised to replace the wheels immediately, so quite an expensive set of brake blocks were those!
Ride stats; Ride time 4:18:36; Ave 18.9km/hr; Max 57.5km/hr, climbing 1368m Ave temp 18.0oC, wind km/hr; Distance 81.54km; Overall time 7:54:54; Cals burnt 2775.
Friday 17th Finale Weymouth-Portland Bill-Weymouth 30km
Breakfast at the Royal, les Rouleurs relax in "civvies" 

A morning ride out to the headland, past Chesil Beach before the climb over the top of Portland Bill, past the stone quarry (now disused) to the Lobster Pot cafe for scones and a hot drink. Although sunny the air was still cold, will we ever get a summer?
Here are the intrepid nine (the long and the short and the tall) as Alan decided that he would decline the climb and returned to spend time in the Chesil Beach Visitor Centre. 

We came back across the Bill on the alternative road and once into the outskirts of Weymouth took the cycle path along the route of the former rail track, bringing us out in the harbour area.
Ride stats;
Ave 18.9km/hr;
Max 41.8km/hr, Climbing 449m Wind E 8km/hr; Distance 30.48km Cals burnt 979
And so with one last au revoir to Weymouth's sandy beaches we were loaded up and on our way home. We had a thoroughly enjoyable week with many challenges offered by the terrain and the weather. Many thanks to Ian for organising the trip, so where to next year?
Overall distance 353.25km (220.78 miles)
Climbing excl Mon; 6176m (20,278ft) 

Club Run Report - 16th June 2013

Club Run sans ravitaillement!

Sunday 16th June by Paget Cohen

With Ian away a trip into the unknown was on the cards.  I've devised my own routes often enough through the years, but was hopeful Deputy Martyn would come armed with a plan.  A dry, cool and grey start for June, but at least the wind had finally dropped.  En route to Uckfield I glanced down at my computer to see how I was doing for time only to see my speed being recorded, but time standing still?!  Once outside Boots and upon closer inspection I realised I'd inadvertently left it in the manual stop/start mode rather than automatic.  That problem solved I was just starting to mull over where I might ride when I finally gained company - Terry now in Wanderers kit (a Father's day gift) and Mickey supposedly having already ridden a TT on the A22 that morning, but not left himself on the road.  Unlike myself neither had prioritised more than a couple of hours to ride so I left the destination up to them.  Everest sought a climb so Firle Beacon it was.

The usual route down to Chiddingly with only a young deer running down the road of note.  Terry was riding as if in a hurry and should be flying on his new De Rosa once built.  Far from the cloud forecast conditions were pleasantly sunny, albeit with a very fine drizzle.  Over the A22 at Golden Cross, through Ripe, then across the A27 and we were at the foot of the annual hill climb within an hour.  Mickey stopped for a comfort break and Terry to attend to his rear mech and then we were on.  For the record I just held off Mickey to the summit with Terry hoving into view as we stopped to catch our breath.  Once Terry had caught his and I'd relieved myself at one of Sussex's most scenic outdoor facilities we turned around and made for Glynde.  After pipping Mickey again uphill out of the village his superior strength finally got me on the climb after the opera house.

That's about it really - back to Uckfield via Norlington (past 2 dogs roaming free), Bentley and Pear Tree Corner within 2 hours and without incident.  Terry said goodbye, but as I didn't have kids to get back to to, let alone treat me to a Father's Day pub lunch, I rode with Mickey back to the Fairwarp turning.

Alone again once more I suddenly realised that a) I was struggling without someone to shelter behind and b) I was rather warm, so I pulled into the Duddleswell bus stop to empty the rear pockets of my long-sleeve jersey and (regretting packing my rain jacket) just about managed to cram everything into the pockets of my short-sleeve underneath.  Back on the road North past a throng of Sussex Nomads outside the tea room (why do we never stop there?) and still more racing off the forest to join them.  In for a penny in for a pound I decided to descend Church Hill to Friar's Gate and turn hard right to tackle Marden's Hill from my favoured direction as the descent always catches me out and it's only good fortune that I've never collided with an oncoming vehicle.

Across at Crowborough Cross and down to Jarvis Brook I took Trebler's Road behind Millbrook Garden Centre to attack the west face of Castle Hill.  Typically having shed a layer the weather had to take a turn for the worse and definite rain now started to fall.  I was heading for home anyway, but cooled by the descent to Five Ashes paused to reapply long-sleeves for Meres Lane back to Cross in Hand then home.  Just over 52miles on the clock, not including the missing run to Uckfield first thing, means I'm claiming my 10th 100km ride in the past 11 weeks.

PS : Hear that John Miller broke his collarbone when he crashed at last Thursday's Crit.  I'm sure all of us wish him a full and speedy recovery - Edinburgh awaits.

PPS : Found : 1 sawn-off LWCC bidon rolling in road opposite Beehive PH at junction of A265 Burwash Road & B2096 Battle Road, Heathfield Monday 3rd June 2013. Contains 2 tubes & 3 ancient metal tyre levers wrapped in offcut of denim.

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.

Lewes Wanderers CC Open 30 - Sunday 30th June 2013

Dear Wanderer,

I'd like to invite you to take part in this years LWCC 30, taking place on Sunday 30th June 2013.

Don't forget this is a club championship event also, so there will be specific prizes only for Wanderers & a handicap category. If you want to be eligible for any prizes on HC fill in your entry form correctly. See here how to do it 

An event flyer with all the important information is attached, together with a standard entry form.

Note - for this year entry for women & juniors is FREE (to take advantage of this please post me your entry).

You can also enter online via the CTT website - https://evententry.ctt.org.uk

I look forward to receiving your entry.

Kind regards,

Rob Pelham

Event Secretary

p.s. Please feel free to forward this information to any & all you feel may be interested - Thank you.

p.p.s. If your not racing PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE offer to help - I really need it. Thank you to those who have offered assistance already :o)

Club Run Report - Sunday 26th May

Club Run to Blackstock Farm, Hellingly

Sunday 26th May by Paget Cohen

With Ian away shopping for rare bike parts there was a vacancy for a cat-herd.  Mark L came armed with a plan, I had an idea or two, but nice Martyn was official deputy even if Mr Pelham might have appeared to be in charge to the casual observer.  Our welcome interloper amid 9 Wanderers being Alistair, incredibly on holiday in Hailsham (staying with parents), but more credibly identifying (via our website) an LWCC club run as the best way to spend a sunny morning.

A taste of things to come was Deputy Crawford slipping his chain at Pear Tree Corner; 4 slowed up for him and just about managed to alert the other 5 before they rode off into the distance towards Bentley.  The weather and pace were hot from the off and next it was Mark L's turn to be left behind - losing touch on the climb to the Glyndebourne wind turbine and rejoining after the descent into Glynde.  No sooner had he made contact with the back of the bunch then the chain gang took it as a green light to put the hammer back down on the path alongside the A27 and we split asunder once more.  When Rob then stopped for a P myself, Mark, Stuart K and Alistair figured we may as well carry on to Ripe as he'd soon catch up at the rate he was going.

You can normally rely on the level-crossing at Berwick or at least the Drusillas roundabout to compress or split a group, but we were delayed by neither as we made for Exceat.  We managed to begin the haul to Friston all together, but pretty soon Rob, Herstmonceux John and Alistair took off.  Mickey T and Stuart K 2-upped behind while I found company with Martyn and Simon F.  John Miller (doing a fair impression of a Rover from a distance in his yellow jersey) showed impressive pace on his Kinesis Ti Tripster (see Mark W's Blog report), but the knobbly tyres weren't helping him climb the smooth stuff.  Simon had time to remove his leg-skins before Mark met us chatting opposite the pond.

I began the descent to Jevington near the front, but just as when we rode it in the opposite direction I was dropped before the village and relied on Simon, Mark, John and Alistair to pace me back to the waiting bunch.  As in Berwick we were lucky with the Polegate lights and straight onto the Cuckoo Trail to cross the A27.

It was still too early for tea so rather than traverse Hailsham we turned right onto the Ersham Road.  Passing the Hillier Garden Centre we found ourselves behind one of those golf buggy type things farmers use whereupon Rob took off like a dog after a rabbit in order to grab it's tail, only breaking off the chase when confused by the next junction, where Martyn and I persuaded the fast guys that we ought by now to turn left for Rickney and make for the tea stop.  Try as I might I couldn't stay in the wheel all the way across the levels so sat up to ride at a comfortable pace with Martyn and let the lunatics wait for us when they'd finished playing.  I made one last effort to keep up through Magham Down, but just couldn't follow when the road steepened as we approached Blackstock Farm.

Having found somewhere to park I checked my computer out of interest and found I'd averaged over 20mph for my 52 miles so far - no wonder I was struggling as well as straggling.  Hearing another rider pull up I turned around and found Martyn had turned into Chairman Slow, not that there had been a coup nor snap election, but Chris M had snuck in behind us.  Martyn, Midgo, Graham J and Chris H joined the back of the queue and our crowd retired to the benches out back to enjoy the scenery, sunshine and sustenance - cake plus coffee in a cardboard cup for us Wombles, tomatoes on toast for the non-local.

Once rested and refreshed we returned to the impromptu bicycle showroom out front to make our selections only for Martyn to find his Trek had a front flat and he a ready made excuse for being dropped before.  Lacking a mechanical to blame my performance on I hooked up with Simon and Chris M for an amenable and relatively leisurely loop home, but found I still maintained 18mph for the metric ton.  Pleased to say my legs were up for a 70 miles solo jaunt to Bolney and back the following morning so it must have done me good.

Sunday 26th May Clubrun

Work or racing has stopped me from attending too many club runs recently. However this weekend with the promise of great weather & a rota'd day off had me on the phone to Micky on Saturday evening to see if he was gonna 'do a bit' before the group ride.

A 06:00 alarm had me (nearly) ready for my 06:30 RV with Mr T & we set off into the bright, but still chilly lanes.

Nothing more I can say that Paget won't say a lot more eloquently. Pace did seem a little 'hot' for a clubrun this week - Think we can thank the weather for that :o)

Kinesis Ti Tripster (Demo Prototype)

With the hyper distance London-Edinburgh-London audax on the horizon for a number of our club members I unwittingly found myself helping them find the perfect bike for this event.  It started with me posting a picture of a Kinesis 29er and a Pro 6 on the club forum, a couple of bikes to lust after.

This started some debate and soon I found myself arranging a demo of the Pro 6 for the L-E-L'ers.  The bike was shared around and gained something of a reputation as a cracking bike, that was until Paul managed to blag a demo prototype Kinesis Ti Tripster.  The name suggests that this is a touring bike, worthy of the L-E-L audax, but Paul put some rides in on it and reported it was much more than that, basically a titanium cross bike with all the fixings to do pretty much anything.  “One bike to do it all” he said, impressive from someone that has a bike for every conceivable discipline.  He also said “If you ride it you’ll want to buy it”, I should have listened.

Soon the time came to return the bikes and I had just one evening slot to ride them. It's not often you get the chance to try out a prototype, so I collected them from Steven who reported the Ti bike was every bit as good as Paul was making out.  I had just an hour and a half so I adjusted the saddle and with strict instruction to be back for dinner, headed out.

I packed a camera ready to take some pictures of the bike in its natural environment imagining myself in the role of a bike mag journalist.

The first mile was on road before turning onto the tracks around the South Downs Way and many of my usual cyclo cross routes.  The weather had been overcast all day, but as soon as I hit the dirt the sun came out and I had a great big smile on my face, I suspect only one of these things had anything to do with the bike.

I have never really ridden a titanium bike, well that’s not true, I have ridden one for the sum total of 6 minutes, I’ve always ridden aluminium bikes with the occasional steel bike, so it was fairly exciting to finally get the chance to ride the wonder material for a good period of time.  I don’t usually go in for the latest wonder material BS, and besides, titanium is no longer the wonder material it once was, not with the introduction of that plastic stuff.  A bike is after all just a bike right? 

The outward loop was mostly uphill and the bike just seemed to be urging me to ride faster, it felt that for every ounce of effort I was putting in to the pedals, the bike was matching it.   Maybe there is something about this titanium after all?

Onto the plateau of the South Downs and a bumpy and fast farm track, it felt like I was riding my road bike on the best roads the French could offer, the bike felt alive, stable and comfortable.  Not armchair comfortable but fast comfortable.  I didn't need to be careful in my line choice, just point the bike and pedal.

I noticed I was adjusting my jersey zip across dry and bumpy ruts, something I couldn't do on my usual aluminium cross bike, I usually need 2 hands on the bars to control the bike through these bits.  The Ti Tripster just floated across them. 

Then for the bit I was looking forward to most, I pointed the bike downhill and tested out the disc brakes.

Initially the brakes felt grabby, until I realised that was because I wasn’t used to brakes that work on a cross bike, I soon learned to be gentle on the levers and modulate them, like on a mountain bike rather than just grabbing a handful.   Whilst the brakes were good, when hydraulic sti eventually arrive it is sure to push this bike into a different dimension.

Kinesis cross bikes have been around for years, they know what geometry works and how to spec a bike so it was no surprise that I didn’t need to pay attention to either of these elements, the bike simply performed flawlessly.  I did notice that the wheels felt pretty light when I loaded them in the car, they certainly didn’t complain at the abuse I was dishing out.

With time on my side and the bike repaying my efforts with speed I pushed on and headed for a big climb, I changed into the little ring and with the bike urging me on I made the top in strava troubling time. 

The handling had been faultless, until it was time to turn around and head for home, it just didn’t seem to respond to my command to complete a U turn, or maybe that was just me?  Anything other than steak for dinner and I think I would have continued to Eastbourne and beyond.

I didn't lift off the effort, even finding time for one more loop.  The Garmin told me it was my fastest ever off road ride, my cheek muscles told me I hadn't stopped smiling.   

Talking to Dom when I returned the bike he mentioned the Ti Tripster was never really designed with cyclo cross in mind, but given the production frame will come with even more clearance I think the bikes intentions are clear.

Is it really one bike to do it all?  I dunno, I’ll let you know when mine is delivered.

PS – sorry for lack of pictures, I didn't want to stop riding even for a minute.

Club Run Report - Sunday 19th May

Club Run to Llama Farm, Wych Cross

Sunday 19th may by Paget Cohen

12 degrees C, winds light, cloudy with outside chance of rain or shine.  10 of us assembled outside Boots at 8:30 including Matt from Lewes (brown curly hair, red & black Trek Madone) on his first club ride for a year and Rob P choosing to slum it with the also-rans.  That of course meant quite a high tempo from the off and a tough reintroduction.  The few drops of moisture nice Martyn noted as we departed were just about all we experienced, not that the sun was much more forthcoming.

The first third of the ride followed the exact same route as late last year (see the December 2012 issue 262 of The Wanderer) and passed quickly and without incident.  From setting the pace Rob found himself pipped by yours truly to the prime at the top of Slugwash Lane and promptly hung up his wheels and headed off on foot into the hedgerow never to be seen again;  I'm not sure I want to know what he was doing.

First deviation from last Autumn's route occurred at the top of Plummerden Lane where we headed back towards Horsted Keynes.  After stringing out on the climb we regrouped by Ludwell Spring for some to take a leak.  The second variation came after the climb to Plaw Hatch Lane where, too early for tea, we cut straight across down Grinstead Lane, round Wier Wood Reservoir and up to Deer's Leap.

After waiting at the junction for Carl, who was struggling on the climbs for some reason, we hung a right past Standen and dived down in to the East Grinstead suburbs.  A right turn saw us climbing through a meandering housing estate.  Ian later admitted that even he was lost at this point and I thought he was leading.

For the second time in three days I found myself on a former railway line as we escaped suburbia via the Forest Way.  It's not quite the Strada Bianchi, more like the Strada Arancione, but irrespective of hue I'm not a fan of loose surfaces.  Once in Forest Row Ian spared us the harder climbs in order that we could keep our weekly appointment with Mr Contrary Jeffs heading the opposite way out of Coleman's Hatch.

We almost timed our arrival at the Llama Farm perfectly - just behind Tony G and Chris H, but ahead in the queue of half-a-dozen or so from Redhill CC, and, more importantly, our hungry LEL trainees Messrs Gibbons and Miller.

Unlike November I avoided being shamefully dropped down the A275 and sat comfortably on Stuart K's white-walled rear wheel as we watched Mark L and Ian race to the Chelwood Gate turn.  Carl had left us for Graham's company so 8 of us were left on the roads to Nutley and Down Street;  pausing only briefly for a brake test to avoid two horses.

Either I was now struggling or Hertmonceux John was finally warmed up as I only caught him back in Uckfield thanks to a red light and he plus Simon F left me again on the Bird-in-Eye climb.  I kept the gap to within 100metres through Blackboys, but John went his own way from Sharlands leaving Simon to drag me home.  Shouldn't complain with two 100k rides in 3 days, the second 2 hours quicker than the first.

Pagets Downs Link Ride - 17th May

Works Outing along Downs Link

Friday 17th May by Paget Cohen

I'll admit that strictly speaking it isn't an official works outing;  we aren't representing the firm we work for, let alone promoting it, but once a month myself and some like-minded colleagues like to take a well-earned day off to share our love of cycling.  Normally this entails putting bikes in cars and meeting at a car park somewhere to explore the lanes of Kent or Surrey for a change.

May 2013 saw a slight twist to that theme as we'd agreed to ride the Downs Link from Henfield to Guildford and back.  I'd presumed the path would be much like East Sussex's own Cuckoo Trail, but seeds of doubt were sown when one colleague said he'd bring a change of clothes as it was so muddy last time he rode it.  Still we'd had a dry week so how bad could it be?  I've only got smooth road tyres for my mountain bike anyway so it was the Marin hybrid in the Focus and off to West Sussex.

Four of us met outside the library at 09:30 having just heard on the radio of Wiggo's withdrawal from the Giro.  It should have been 5 of us, but there's always one who goes to the wrong car park.  Thus, later than we'd hoped, we hit the road then shortly the trail.  Immediately my fears were realised as the surface was fine loose gravel and the trail narrow.  Before long we had to stop for a gate into a grassy field with no path beyond a 6inch wide strip of mud worn by previous cyclists.  Thankfully there were only two stretches like this and at least it wasn't wet.

The route as a whole is relatively easy to follow with signage adequate and only a few brief road detours.  Unsurprisingly for a former railway line there is barely a gradient worth mentioning apart from several short inclines down to and up from roads where bridges have been removed.

Or so I thought until we saw ahead an overgrown tunnel entrance with a muddy path peeling steeply away to the left.  One of our number found he couldn't engage the small chain ring on his rarely employed Ridgeback. My over-inflated narrow tyres were too clogged with debris to afford enough traction.  Two didn't have the legs, but one found he had a natural aptitude for the rough stuff and impressively stayed in the saddle to the summit.

One edge the Downs Link has on the Cuckoo Trail is the more varied scenery and odd pieces of industrial archaeology with accompanying information boards.  The Cuckoo Trail though no longer has anywhere so boggy that even mountain bikers have to get off and clamber along the embankment.  On the outskirts of Guildford we encountered yet another fork in the path.  The 2 then in the vanguard went right, I spotted the sign pointing left, but not the strip of wood embedded in the path to retain the gravel surface and endured the lone spill of the day - yet another shin scar to add to the collection.

Our regular road rides are run at a leisurely 13-14mph which isn't usually any problem for me as there's always regular opportunity to stretch my legs, but on such a poor surface with such frequent encounters with dog walkers, joggers and casual cyclists there had barely been a chance to top 15mph so far.  As such with it being so overcast and me having not eaten for 6 hours I was actually shivering with cold by the time we entered Guildford.  Just when I thought it couldn't get worse I realised our notional ride organiser hadn't organised anywhere to get lunch.  Fail to prepare, prepare to fail;  or to put it in cycling terms let the tea stop define the route, not the route the tea stop.

Hence we found ourselves looking for a relatively quiet and inexpensive cafe we all liked the look of in a town we barely knew and on a Friday lunch time.  Just for good measure, one of our number got caught by a red light, two of us noticed and waited and the other two disappeared into the one-way system.  Eventually 1 hour after we arrived in Guildford and with no small thanks to the wonders of the mobile phone we met up outside the station to consume over-priced sarnies, pastries and coffee on the pavement.

I felt much better once fed, but was so fed up before then that there was no way I was going to put up with the slow rumble of the Downs Link all the way back.  I was prepared to find my own way by road solo, but found an ally and, after making use of the path to escape the traffic, we parted ways with the other 3 at Shalford.  Almost immediately we found a lovely quiet country lane and started to make good progress.  The B-road through Wonersh and Rowly was slightly busier, but still relatively smooth and far from hilly.  Once in Cranleigh we were on familiar territory and even the sun was out to brighten the unavoidable stretches along the As 281 and 29.

We rejoined the link to make use of the facilities at Southwater Country Park, but returned to the lanes after West Grinstead station and arrived back at the cars by 5:30 with the off-roaders nowhere to be seen.  Can't say I really enjoyed my semi-off-road experience.  The Marin performed admirably in the circumstances (I did apologise), but a knobbly tired mountain bike with at least front shocks would have been more appropriate as my shoulders and hands took a pounding.  I'd wrongly assumed the slow pace would negate the need to feed whereas I should have overcompensated with extra layers to account for reduced effort;  we live and (ought to) learn.  Chatting today (Monday) with my co-workers who'd become separated from us in Guildford and they'd discovered retrospectively that they'd got within 50 yards of a greasy-spoon before turning the other way.

Press Release 7th & 12th May 2013

A strong Lewes team headed out to Hampshire to compete in the Charlotteville 50 mile time trial based around Bentley.  The course is reputed to be one of the fastest circuits in the South of England and the prospect of this attracted a quality field of 120 riders.  Unfortunately the profile and road surfaces are only two constituent factors in the fast speed equation, the crucial third part, the weather, conspired against the riders, with a stiff wind precluding lightning fast times.

Lewes top gun Nick Dwyer set off strongly and many thought he would fade over the latter part of the course, but Nick battled on superbly against the headwind to gain a fabulous victory in a time of 1:50:29, a wonderful achievement in the conditions.  The ebullient Rob Pelham has definitely rediscovered his old sparkle and had a brilliant ride finishing in an impressive fifth place in a time of 1:52:40.  Duncan Fuller battled around the course to finish bravely in a time of 2:04:03 despite suffering with severe pain in the feet.  Duncan teamed up with Rob and Nick to pull off a great team victory.  Mark Frost completed the Lewes rides with an impressive 2:05:00 time.

The remaining racers on the day headed out to Broadbridge Heath to compete in the Norwood Paragon 25 mile event.  Due to roadworks, the original fast course has been substituted with a tough hilly circuit, which is considerably slower than the original.  A nagging crosswind hindered progress, and most riders agreed that it was a slow day to race.  Brighton Excelsior’s Steve Kane was first man home in 55:08,with Lewes powerhouse Tom Glandfield coming home in seventh position in a time of 57:23.  Other Lewes times were Mark Patton 59:35, Dom Lowden 1:01:08, Alan Lloyd 1:03:05 and Stephen Gaston 1:06:28.

The Lewes evening ten series kicked off last Tuesday in glorious weather, and the welcome sight of the sun coupled with a vastly improved road surface combined in equal measures to ensure fast times were set on the night.  Tom Glandfield set the scene with a 21:36.  If you are interested in riding a time trial, a club evening ten is the ideal testing ground where riders can ride on a “come and try it basis”.  All you need is a bike (any bike will do) and a helmet (compulsory).  Riders need to sign on at East Hoathly Sports ground on a Monday night (excluding Bank Holidays) from 6:00 pm.  Please note that in the early rounds the field is limited to thirty riders due to light considerations, so to guarantee a ride it is advisable to sign on as early as possible.

Press Release 4th & 5th May 2013

The local time trial scene was thrilled to have both a National Champion and a 2012 Olympic Gold medallist competing over the weekend in the SCA 10 and 25 mile events, expertly organised by Mike Anton of the East Grinstead Cycling Club.

Racing kicked off early Saturday morning with a ten mile blast on the fast course near Stenying.  Unseasonal Bank Holiday weather (i.e. warm) set the backdrop for the contest and fast times looked on the cards.  The Lewes Wanderers participants made most of the good conditions and set some blistering times on the day.  Lewes front man Nick Dwyer posted a scintillating 20:42 to finish third overall, a time fast enough to scoop the veteran’s award. Rob Pelham rediscovered his best form to clock an impressive time of 21:13, and these two along with powerhouse Tom Glandfield (21:25) all received winners medals for the fastest team of three.  Some other notable Lewes time worthy of note were, James Ryan 21:58 and Kaye Dwyer 28:07.

The following day was blessed with warmer weather and a noticeable absence of wind; signs were set for a fast day.  Illuminating the start sheet were Olympic superstar Joanna Roswell (Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling) and National 25 mile champion Michael Hutchinson (In-Gear). Both riders had phenomenal rides, with both the women’s and course records being smashed by Joanna (55:38) and Michael (49:31) respectively.  The longstanding course record had remained stubbornly in the archives for many years, having been set by Tour De France stage winner Sean Yates, an indication of the calibre of Michael’s win.

The 25 course starts with a series of nasty climbs along to Partridge Green, following what must be some of the most pot holed and scarred roads in the country.  A faster section on the A24 to Washington replaces the technical stretch of seven miles, before re-joining the ten-mile course for a fast finishing burst of speed.  Nick Dwyer was first Lewes man home, finishing fourth overall and first on Standard in 54:06.  Rob Pelham had a superb outing, posting his fastest time on this course with a splendid time of 54:23.  Rob had an extra incentive of trying to catch Joanna Roswell who started a minute ahead of the Lewes flyer, and he had to fight all of the way to pass the Olympian on the final leg of the course.  Other Lewes times were Pete Morris 55:42, Phil Allen 56:41, Duncan Fuller 58:37, Mark Frost 58:40, Mark Patton 59:32, Sam Ramsey 1:00:37, Alan Lloyd 1:02:05, Michael Turner 1:03:24, Tony Sinnett 1:04:08 (PB) and Stephen Gaston 1:05:22.