15mph group outward:Arrived at CSS at 8.35am to meet up with those heading off at 8.45am. In the end, we waited an extra 5 minutes for a contact of Bo-Gilly who didn't arrive. So the six of us set off: self and son Phil, Tim2, Bob, Stephanie and Cameron on his MTB. As we left CSS we met a NP rider on his way to a rendezvous at Merstham. "Bit early for you guys isn't it?". We're pottering down to Brighton I replied, to which he wished us a nice day. Still, it gave me an opportunity to make some arrangements for the Interclub TT. We passed a group of about 10 cyclists at the Feathers, including some ACC jerseys.
On the road towards Bletchingly, we started passing cyclists on a L2B charity ride. This was a source of encouragement to those in the group concerned about their ability to make it - Phil has only done 1 ride of 20 miles this year, on Monday night - Stephanie had only riden with the J4F group - Bob was only on his third ride with the club since sustaining serious injuries in an accident at the end of March
.
We reached Turner's Hill about 10am and had a 10 minute rest while we watched some of the the charity riders walking up the hill
Continuing onwards and downwards past Wakehurst to Ardingly, we had a nice tight group with Bob, Tim2 and myself sharing the front as we cruised, with Cameron having to pedal quite hard on the downhill.
Things went a bit awry at Haywards Heath, 10:50am.
Cameron needed to buy some water, so I pointed out the exit to take from the southern roundabout while we waited for Bob and Stephanie to join us, having dropped back on the climb up from the first roundabout. We then moved on to wait just after the roundabout where a fully laden scaffold lorry carried out a spectacular and panic-stricken 3-point turn in front of us. We were sure we saw Cameron cross the road to a shop just up the rode from us, just as the first of 2 groups of ACCers sped passed. We waited a few minutes and then started off slowly, expecting to see him waiting for us. Neither he or his bike were anywhere to be seen, so we concluded he must have set off after one of the groups that had gone through
Soon, Nigel Williams joined us having dropped off of one of the groups that had passed us. He hadn't seen Cameron in Haywards Heath either, so we carried on. Just after Wivlesfield, Monty's group passed us. He slowed a little to chat and again hadn't seen Cameron. I started to feel quite bad at this point, having expected to have caught him if he was ahead
Monty had arranged for a re-group at Ditchling before climbing the hill, but when we arrived there was no sign of anyone (they had gone up a side road to answer nature's call it turned out later). Bob had dropped back to accompany Stephanie on the run into Ditchling, so Monty, Phil, Tim2 and myself rode up the hill chatting as we passed some of the charity riders. At the top we turned into the Beacon car park and joined the other ACCers already there, 11:40. Bob and Stephanie must have come by soon afterwards, obscured from view by a bus which was turning round in the entrance. After resting awhile Monty and the others set off, while we waited for Bob and Stephanie to arrive. We waited and waited and waited. Other ACCers and charity riders came and went, Alex's group and others arrived. Still no sign
I began to get a bit concerned, remembering last summer's ride when we had waited for Mark & Will Leadham to arrive at the Beacon, eventually assumed they were ahead and continued. They never arrived at the pier
and we found out later they had touched wheels and crashed on the steep descent to Brighton, with Mark breaking his wrist etc
At 12:15 We continued, descending to the A27 quite quickly. Although windy, it was nothing like the last time I was there on the March Friday Night Ride To The Coast, when we were pelted by hail and had to lean at crasy angles into the wind just to stay upright! I clocked 46mph freewheeling down the hill to the traffic lights on my new GBcycle
Turning into a strong headwind, everyone was happy to sit behind me for the last 4 or 5 miles to the pier where we arrived at 12:35.
Along to the Regency, Cafe Addiscombe. Had to sit at the front in a howling wind which kept blowing the substantial signs over. Not a cloud in the sky, not surprising with that wind! Great to see so many Agreeables there - including Marky Mark. Got news that Cameron had made it too, much relief
After a Spag Bol and photos, it was time to head for home.
The ReturnSet off along the front to Hove and up the hill. The faster bods disappearing ahead as we crested the hill to cross the A27,. Steve (The Shadow) waited for the tailenders. Everyone headed along to ridge to Devils Dyke, rather than bearing right to cut the corner and enjoy maxing out on the descent, so I followed suit so as not to confuse those behind. We had a group of about 20 waiting at the Tee junction. This soon broke up on the lanes to Wineham, leaving a select group of Sam & Jon Camden, Myself and Phil, Tim2, Bob, Conner, Amy, Bridget, Jeff Messie and The Shadow. I was feeling a bit wrecked at this time, wondering if I had overdone it on the stretch into Brighton and having been losing energy shivering in the "breeze" at the Regency. Bob and Jeff also seemed to be finding the lumps a bit tough. We had a couple of re-groups on the way and at Warninglid decided to head to Handcross for provisions and the dual carriageway round Crawley rather than the lump by the Hammer Ponds and Colgate Forest to Faygate.
Having stocked up with Bananas, water etc. Bob and Jeff were revived and we proceeded via Ifield to Charlwood and the return of the clubrun. This had the advantage of everyone knowing the route and being able to pace themselves accordingly. We said our farewells at the junction of the A23/M23 as different ones were going different ways at the Coulsdon ByPass.
Arrived home just after 6pm in time for a quick shower and off out to a dinner-party
Well done to everyone: especially Phil Coales on his first ever Brighton & Back, and only his second ride this year (
); Sam Camden on his 2nd Brighton & Back; Bob on his 3rd ride and 1st Brighton & Back since his accident; Bridget on her first Brighton & Back (I think); Stephanie on her first 15's ride. Now you
know you can do it
Big thanks to Steve Broomfield for his gentlemanly support on the way back.
Brighton and Back was my first coastal ride. I followed it up with Littlehampton, Eastbourne, Battle and Chichester so there's lots of possibilites for even the 15's