Brighton Monday

[Rob Taylor]

im doing a brighton ride on monday - CSS leaving at 9:00 if anyone wants to join me.

not too fast not too slow and not stopping long when we get there.

wont be going if its raining hard

[Wal]

Forecast on Metcheck looks ok so far; I'll probably join you.

However, I have a builder coming to start some work in my house on Monday and I'm not sure exactly what time he'll arrive, so there's a chance I won't make CSS by 9am. If that's the case then just set off without me.

What sort of speed were you thinking of? I'm happy with 18-19ish mph, but can cope with faster if need be.

[Antloony]

ok as there seems little interest so far in Jon Averys monday ride thread a ride to Brighton sounds like a jolly good idea. Just caught the weather on the beeb and it looks fine, no rain forecast and nice and warm with the odd sunny spell.

Come on folks, dont be shy and make the most of the long weekend and a bit of decent weather.

[Del]

Ok Ant.

I'll join you guys as well.

See you at CSS at 9:00. If you guys are coming down the A23 then I might meet you a little further South on the way.

[Ian A4size]

I am up for a decent monday ride- but not to brighton.

[George]

[quote] but not to brighton.

[Antloony]

[quote="Del"]Ok Ant.

I'll join you guys as well.

See you at CSS at 9:00. If you guys are coming down the A23 then I might meet you a little further South on the way.

[Del]

Ok Ant.

I've decided to come up to CSS. I'll be there at 9:00. Andy K is coming along too, but has to be back home around lunchtime, so will probably turn off early.

We should go past Ian at the Feathers at 9:15. If we can find enough challenging hills perhaps we could drag him along as well.

[Ian A4size]

How about we go out to Brightonish direction, i can take you out via turners hill, back lane ,loop down past Ardingly resv. then thru to the village- the brighton group can then go straight down the usual L2B route, i can then go back via sharpethorne, ashdown, shovelstode!, lingfield ,newchapel outwood, bletchingley.

I dont want to hi -jack anyones ride, so if thats not what you want say so.

[Del]

[quote="Ian MunneryA1size"]How about we go out to Brightonish direction, i can take you out via turners hill, back lane ,loop down past Ardingly resv. then thru to the village- the brighton group can then go straight down the usual L2B route, i can then go back via sharpethorne, ashdown, shovelstode!, lingfield ,newchapel outwood, bletchingley.

I dont want to hi -jack anyones ride, so if thats not what you want say so.

[Antloony]

Ian, Im happy to do that, gives people more options on the day then, see what the others think though I guess.

[Del]

Just thought I'd post a quick thanks for an enjoyable and agreeable run down to Brighton yesterday.

Andy K and I met up with Rob, Wal, Ben, Ant and Aidan at CSS and we almost got off on time at 9:00.

We romped down to the Feathers at Merstham, where we met Ian, Amy and Nigel. Ian led us off through Nutfield along the L2B run until Burstow, then off through Copthorne and up to the top of Turners HIll, where Ian and I decided it was far too hot for arm warmers and took them off. Ben had already decided this, but went much further later in the ride by losing them on the road just south of Haywards Heath.

The whole group then headed down to Ardingly through the reservoir, where a 3 way split took place. Andy had set up an exciting afternoon mowing his mother-in-law's lawn and nothing could stop him roaring back home via Turner's Hill to get his lawnfest under way.

Ian led Amy and Nigel off on an exploration of the Ashdown Forest, which left Rob, Wal, Ben (with arm warmers at that time), Ant, Aidan and me to continue down to Brighton via LIndfield, Haywards Heath and Ditchling to Brighton. We set a fair pace down through to Lindfield, as a smooth and agreeable train, interrupted only momentarily when Aidan, Ant, Ben and Wal tried to head off down a wrong turning, quickly addressed by a loud, leader-style shout from Rob, which brought things back together.

I then managed to get detached at Haywards Heath when I got caught at a roundabout. I gave up chasing as they'd pulled away, passed one of Ben's arm warmers on the way (didn't realise it at the time) and found the rest of the guys waiting for me in a pub car park (but with no beer ).

We then rolled on to Ditchling, up the Beacon and down towards Brighton, where I was last men turning out of the uphill junction that meets the A27 slip road/road that descends fast down to the Lewes Road. I got caught by the traffic again and was in the wrong gear to get moving. I hate that junction! Got to the bottom and met Aidan and we caught up with the rest of the guys about a mile down the Lewes Road.

Onwards to the Sea Front. Ben went speed-paddling and somebody took a photo to prove we arrived and then we were off. We stopped at the Patcham BP service station to get food and drink, just as they were closing it! No food and drink!

We carried on up a small lane called the A23 to Pyecombe and filled up with food and drink at the Texaco garage. From there, Rob led us home. He told us he had no idea where he was, but he knew the roads he had to be on, which is a great test in placing your trust in your leader . Rob led us up the Henfield Road, turning off to take a long uphill drag through Slaugham, Warninglid and Handcross.

By this time, I was just starting to tire a little. I was going ok, but couldn't quite stay with the pace that Rob and the guys were setting, so let them get away between Handcross and Pease Pottage , as I only had to make it back to Horley and was ok to make it back by myself - which was just as well as I lost them at Pease Pottage anyway!!

Went back via the Dual Carriageway through and off route to Ifield, past the Charlwood cafe and back home. Hope all the rest of the guys got back ok and hope you didn't hang around trying to find me at Pease Pottage?

Great ride for me, as I was being pulled along at a pace just a little above what I was comfortable with. Dropped off at times, but stayed up at others. Good training for the Etape, as I try to avoid the Broom Wagon for as long as possible this year. I do feel the fitness is getting better and that rides like this are making a big contribution.

Finally, Ant has been intrigued by my previously low HRM readings. Well I can tell you Ant that I hit 199 on this ride, which is not bad for 52 year-old, certainly higher than the 168 that the 220 - age calculation gives........and I felt fine! I'm going to assume this is good and a reflection of playing squash for years, before quitting to take up the bike. If I keep going like this, I'm convinced my HRM will explode and I'll have to start working out what Power training is all about!

[Andrew G]

Great report Del.
[quote] From there, Rob led us home. He told us he had no idea where he was, but he knew the roads he had to be on, which is a great test in placing your trust in your leader .

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

"Trust me I know the way"

Oooohhhh am so jealous that I missed a cracking Brighton ride. Well done guys, glad you had a great time. Must do it again soon....where's the diary

[Marky Mark]

[quote="Del"]Just thought I'd post a quick thanks for an enjoyable and agreeable run down to Brighton yesterday.