Hilly 50K.

[Andrew G]

Was great to see so many Addiscombe riders at Ryka's for the start, must have been 12 - 15 which is more than a lot get for their official CRs.

Can't complain about the advertiser's description it was hilly. Also very well organised with a good sign on (someone said 92 starters) and good directions. I rode with Tim who knew most of the route which helped greatly.

A lot of climbing (I think I nearly cried when I saw the 18 percent sign at the bottom of that hill) and when we hit the only bit of flat along Ranmore Common we were greated by a slight head wind, lovely. Finally clambered up Boxhill to the finish for a very enjoyable pasty and coffee.

Thanks to Amy for highlighting this ride, definitely one for the diary next year.

Andrew.

[Yohan]

...now in the comfort of my home I can say I enjoyed this Hilly ride.......but it was defianately one of the most punishing (if not the most) ride I've ever done......one hill after the next!
Just when I thought the end was nigh, the White Down 18 percenter loomed.....but its ok tho, cos the rider from another club I was working with about a mile from this climb advised me it was 20%....so it was a blessed relief to see it was only 18% on approach

..still, the gentle slope of Box Hill on the final straight was almost pleasant in comparison

..planned a gentle spin back to Croydon after this workout....silly dream really, considering Tok's the 'Punisher' lead our team of 7 on our way. We cruised out of Box hill winding up as we went, then as chipsted approached the pace was frantic with several attacks within the group from Mark, Toks, myself and Greg? from Addiscombe (excuse my memory) who is a very strong rider to watch out for.
Resting today, loking forward to more 'fun' next week!

Cheers
Yohan

[George]

Great ride out yesterday was a bit cold initially descending the hill to Rykas. Soon warmed up though on ranmore hill. managed to keep with Toks all day, you sure love thoes hills.

Most of the hills were short and sharp, Whitedown was a teeth gritting brute towards the end. We were riding an a group Mark, Yohan, Toks and a couple of others from various clubs.

The distance seemed just right and didn't go on forever. We even met up with a few guys from the clubrun who came home via the finish.

Had some fun up box when I clipped the guys wheel infront i was hugging I heard a bit of excitement behind! So decided to try catch Toks but he was long gone.

Took loads of food which really makes a difference to endurance, thanks for that energy bar last week Sean.

Heard talk at box about giving it some down chipstead valley, so duley obliged.

thanks George

[Toks]

George mate I don't know where you get your 'strength' from but by summer I'm expecting to get a real kicking from you. You were super strong yesterday; 'hats off' for the excellent navigating as well, it was nice to keep things together with at least six ACC guys in our group for most of the ride.

I've gotta mention great efforts from Mark and Dave (sorry about the end mate!) and for the second half of the Hilly 50k good showings from Neil, Steve B (just hanging in there!), Yohan (just a few mins behind us) and the fella with Jens Voigt pedal busting style, sorry can't remember your name...we took things easy on the way back from BoxHill and then blasted away in the Chipstead to Coulson Tear Up!. The chief protagonists in the speed train were George (of course ), Mark, myself, Neil and Yohan. A great ride, cheers guys

[David Lombari]

Hilly 50k.

Got to the café in Coulsden at 8.20 to find that they don?t open til 9am. Stood waiting outside until the owner saw me and invited me in for the first espresso form the machine (she can obviously spot a man in desperate need when she sees one!) She was effectively open by 8.35 so ?chapeau? to her for that (does anyone know the name of the café?).

Got to Ryker's with the gang by 9.45, where there were loadsa ACC! The weather was chilly but calm, even a little sun. The ride for me went ok. I knew I would struggle at some stage due to my lack of climbing form, even less than usual, and any real endurance, but got as far as Whitedown (18%) before having to accept the inevitable.

Took it real gentle up Box Hill too for fear of blowing. Got to the café in about 2 hrs 15 mins and was happy with that. The group I was with until the base of Whitedown, (Toks, Mark, Neil, Georges, etc) beat me back by around 10 mins. I?d seen them pull away on Ranmore(?) but I just didn?t have the ?jump? to get back to them. Same thing happened on the way home, where they put the hammer down just after Walton, but I was happy to spin out a steady 17/18 mph home.

Got home tired, though not knackered, and happy.

Need to step up the skyward miles in March, April and May in readiness for the Polka Dot, but was please that I still have the legs and determination to grind up some testing hills.

Big thanks to the other riders for making it a good laugh as well as a test.

D.

[Mike I]

Well, it was hilly and it was 50km. Think of it as TOSH-lite. But when did CTC get so hardcore?! I'm sure it used to be all canvas saddlebags and mudguards. And how did Steve 'the Shadow' finish before me, given that I passed him at Coldharbour and never saw him again until Box Hill? Some skulduggery at work, methinks.

My favourite bit was telling some guy who had stopped and was slumped over his bars at the side of White Down that he was nearly at the top. He was actually about one third of the way up; I suspect he never got going again, because I have made the same mistake myself!

[Alan M]

Lots of addiscombe pics here. Toks, Yohan, Steve, Amy and others spotted.

Road warriors enjoy!

Alan

http://www.samanthalamb.co.uk/photogall ... /index.htm:

[Elliot M]

of course some of us are pictured even though we were just on the club run! Like myself and Nigel (that's right isn't it, I'm terrible with names) here:

http://www.samanthalamb.co.uk/photogall ... G_9420.htm

[mark mclaughlin]

Met up with the new super tandem duo AJ&Ninder at West Norwood. First Climb of the day, Knights Hill always a good warm up but not so easy for the duo, the Talk of the doing the "HILLY" was being mulled over.
Linked up with Phil K, just had his pins out of his collarbone last week so he was taking it easy on fixed!
Got to Coulsdon and every ACC seemed to be joining in every direction. AJ&N made the right move to do the club run the thought of takling those climbs would be a nightmare! I did mention the dodgy decents with AJ stearing but Ninder calmly mentioned she closes her eye's!!
Highlights, just great to savour a big group scattered through the lanes of Surrey jockeying for position. Trying to keep are front ACC's group together as Toks blazed the trail and George for his map reading. Managed to lift the front wheel twice on the many short sharp climbs!! Nearly took Dave L out on a sharp decent and Toks attacking White Down! I've forgotten how nasty that climb is.
All in all a great day and great blast back.Well done to everyone who rode..Ps did anyone see Robbie and Terry?