After recovering from my early week cold, see other thread on getting ill, I was ready for a heavy session on Saturday. Most of the long distance guys were taking it easy in anticipation of the London to Brighton today (thank god I didn't bother with that, the weather looked awful). Cycled at a steady pace to the roundabout before Beare Green with a group of I would say around 30 or so, including Ibbo with his new cranks. They have a ratchet that allow him to dangle both legs down at the same time, very weird, but apparently helps with keeping the power on all around the stroke, (as an aside does anyone have the spec on these would not mind reading about them).
I had in mind a longer ride than going straight to Beare Green, so myself, Luke and the Scot who wears blue, think his name may be Tony but not sure, split off from the group and went down past Ockley and over to White Down. Nice 18%er for all those who don't know it, quite a tough climb. We picked up the pace after we split from the group, with Luke setting the pace. Luke is quite short, and myself and Scottie are reasonably tall (I am 6ft 5ins) so carry a little more weight than Luke. When it comes to climbing I suck, trying to keep up with Luke was a challenge on the climbs, and I have to say one that I could not rise to, Luke was having to wait for me and Scottie after each climb.
After struggling up White Down we made our way over to Box Hill to then stop for a cup of tea. We were blessed with the sight of Alan and a small group of ACCers starting the climb so we climbed Box Hill togetherish. Luke, Scottie and myself then started queuing for a cuppa, but we saw that the group of 6-8 riders were about to leave. As they left Luke and I looked at each other and we decided to forget the tea and chase down the group and ride back to CSS with them. We managed to catch them up and went back to CSS through Kingswood, via private road, Chipstead etc.
All in all a very fun ride, great that you can start out with a group, split off and do a bit on your own to then join back up with part of the ACC group.
How did everyone get on with the Vintage car rally, I bet a few hardcore riders went for it.