Monday- alternative 2

[Ian A4size]

A dozen riders set off from CSS and the Feathers, not all went to Brighton as we had decided to split at Ardingley.
We went up church hill and followed the classic L2B route at first- then we went up to copthorne ,turners hill, back lane and then plunged down past the reservoir- there seems to be some "special" tarmac at the bottom, one which holds onto your wheels- i touched 43mph down the "ski slope"- Ant and Wal probably more, but no matter how fast you go down there is absolutely no chance of gaining momentum to get you up the grind the other side.
A quick re-group at the top of all the hills was the order of the day.
After the split Amy, Nigel and I went up another long drag to Sharpethorne- then another one to the top of the Ashdown forest, super fast descent into Forest Row where we restocked with water.
Another long grind up to Ashurst wood and up to Shovelstrode lane.
You guessed it ... another grind up somewhere to top of dormansland/ lingfield border, passed the race course and into the village.
A request was made from the rear of the ride for a bit of flat please! So we did not go thru to crowhurst- missing tilburstow hill:wink: .
Down to the mormon temple , newchapel- up the 12%er, short and sharp, up the small lump at henhaw farm- the one just before the finish on the nutfield handicap circuit.
Nigel and I duked it out up coopers hill- I lost.

A really nice ride out today, weather was gorgeous- the group out were well disciplined- they had a long way to go. Spring is in full effect, carpets of flowers and fields full of chops!

[Marek]

Nice route, that is my training territory and I know what you mean about the descent towards Weirwood Reservoir. Mind you if you ascend up the right hand side of the reservoir and then at the top turn left this is a sweeping road through the forest that takes you into Forest Row, this is a great road where you can bomb it along, but you have to be careful of deer, the last few times I have been down there in the evenings after work I have been close to coming into contact with one of Bambi's cousins. At over 50kmph I reckon it would be Venison for dinner.

Cheers

Marek....

[Toks]

[quote="Ian MunneryA1size"]A dozen riders set off from CSS and the Feathers, not all went to Brighton as we had decided to split at Ardingley.

Nigel and[color=#FF0000] I duked [/color]it out up coopers hill- I lost.

A really nice ride out today, weather was gorgeous- the group out were well disciplined- they had a long way to go. Spring is in [color=#FF0000]full effect,[/color] carpets of flowers and fields full of chops!

[Amy]

Thank you Bus, Nigel and the Brighton group for waiting for me as I ground my way up all those hills in mostly bottom gear and for keeping the pace down and/or towing me along. Like I've said elsewhere tho I was pleased to have done the ride even tho I was somewhat cream crackered afterwards (OK not the words I used on the ride to describe my condition ). I feel like I'm starting to get back to normal after going backwards for over a year and rides like this one of Bus' and the one I did on Saturday will help me get back with the faster groups and the longer rides.

So thanks again Bus et al

(Of course I won't mention anything about certain people getting on the front of the group and ripping things up at times with no communication about approaching potholes cos you did all wait for me/keep the pace down from what you could have been doing and in the long run it'll help me get my strength and stamina back for similar rides )