9.30 sharp and we're off cos Ian Munnery is buying us all lunch in Brighton at 12.30, so don't be late
Weather forecast is 22° mostly sunny with the possibility of the odd shower
Steady pace down aiming for around 19av to keep the group together, shared workload and attacks will be encouraged on Turner's Hill and Ditchling Beacon with regroups at the top
Worked a treat last year, everyone got down together in good shape with no casualties/punctures. Be warned though, the ride back is arduous and people ALWAYS blow up so the aim is to get everyone down there nice and steady and reasonably fresh so you can get back in one piece. Anybody want a balls-out, high-speed tear up, Marek is waiting to hear from you
We'll go out over Hooley as normal and turn left at Merstham down to Bletchingly, up past the windmill at Outwood then on to Copthorne and Turners Hill. Main road to Haywards Heath and Ditchling Beacon. Beware of the high speed descent into Brighton, we've had crashes down there before. Meet everyone else at the pier between 12 and 1.00 for transfer to the lunch stop.
Return is up over Devils Dyke and through the lanes via Bolney and Slaugham. This is a great route but quite tough. Last year we had an amazing ride back because everybody shared the work and kept it together so let's try and do it again, nice and steady because if everyone's feeling good enough we'll go back via Colgate, then do the club run route in reverse via the Box Hill and Chipstead route back to finish at CSS.
Carry enough food and drinks (people always seem to run out on the way back) money, mobiles, cameras and spare tubes please. Also take a copy of a general map of the area just in case you get lost
Anyone wearing a paper Paul Tunnell mask and attempting to divert the group to Eastbourne will be kicked off the ride
Any further suggestions welcome and please post here if your joining this group so we get an idea of numbers.