Club Run to Brighton - 23rd August

[Keith]

Well the Training Group was a little down on numbers. I'd just ridden up the route in reverse from Bletchingly encountering about 35 in the 17's, and 25 in both the 18's and 19's.

At 9:59 there was just me. Fortunately at 10am sharp Stu arrived. Sylv had also texted saying he was on his way after watching the Olympics.

So 3 of us set off. We were down to 2 by the Renault Garage . Stu had a mechanical. Sylv & I had a quick coffee whilst Stu nipped home for repairs, but it wasn't to be.

With just 2 of us we kept it to smooth fast pace. Well up until the bottom of Ditchling anyway when Sylv launched an attack. Round the stationary cars and the remains of the 18's. There were 2 casualties; one car's clutch which was pouring out smoke, and Sylv's gear lever after he went into the back of the same car which stopped for no apparent reason other than to give its clutch another pasting trying to set off on the steepest part of the hill.

We picked up a few passengers for the speedy descent down to Brighton - a road which never fails to put a smile on my face.

Just under 2 hours CSS to The Regency. After the pasta fest, back home at a more sensible pace with a larger group over Devil's Dyke. Michelle and I peeled off at Handcross for a more direct route home.

Thanks Sylv for a great ride down, and to everyone for the sociable ride back.

[Stu Merckx Man]

i was so gutted to have got that mechanical. i hadn't tightened the lock ring enough, and i couldn't find the tool to tighten it with for ages! eventually got it done and did the club run route all on my own

sorry for keeping you guys waiting!

[Keith]

[quote="Stu Merckx Man"]sorry for keeping you guys waiting!

[Marek]

Hard luck Stu, we were really lucky with the weather today. I went with the 19s and we took it really steady only the odd fast burst when the road was facing downwards, but in Haywards Heath the group stopped and I carried on with Alan and Ajay, I think someone may have punctured and I was running out of time, the misses had given me orders on when to be home.

Lots of riders strung out up Ditchling, I carried on over the top and think I got my top speed of the day going into Brighton. I was in a bit of a rush today so ordered just a Banoffee Pie in the cafe. Unfortunately my order was amalgamated with someone having a grilled trout, it therefore took quite long. So I scoffed it down and headed back on my lonesome over Devils Dyke, Ansty, Worth, Turners Hill and into East Grinstead. Just under 100 miles on the clock.

Cheers

Marek.....

[Kasper]

I was in a bit of a rush today so ordered just a Banoffee Pie in the cafe. Unfortunately my order was amalgamated with someone having a grilled trout, it therefore took quite long.

It must have tasted a little odd as well I imagine!!!!

The ride down with the 19's was indeed quite a fast one with the lack of a B training group I think we were within our rights to have a little dig on the downhill sections. Apart from the two punctures we were moving along quite swiftly. I'm sure it was the stopping and waiting which kept the group together and the group momentum good which meant we could barrel along well over the average 19 we were meant to be doing.

Regency restaurant served up a blinding bit of cod and chips and i was reluctant to leave Sunny Brighton so good was the weather and general environs.
Anyway the group gradually got faster and faster until I could hang on no more, actually I felt quite good once over Devils Dyke and into the lanes doing several stints on the front. After a quick pee stop when I could hold the Stella I'd had for lunch in no longer, I got dropped but it wasn't long before I caught everyone up at the next junction, using Mark McC as the carrot that drew me back to the group. Once past Turners Hill coming back through Crawley was a bit of an unknown to me after recognising the section of dual carriageway we do on the club run; in retrospect I think that would have been a better way to come back. As it was the pace in the group I was in gradually wound up until I could no longer hold the wheel in front and dropped back riding at a pace I was more comfortable with. Seeing I was not the only one in a little difficulty brought some respite as I caught Kevin R up and we carried on for a bit until coming into Redhill we saw the station and thought the suffering must end!!!

A short train journey later after recording our top speed for the whole trip , we disembarked at Coulsdon South Station. Our hopes that we may by some cruel twist of fate have overtaken our group's charge for home were soon dashed as we saw Alan M casually sipping a coffee outside The Rectory pub in Purley.

Cheers for a great day out one and all,
Kasper

[Sylv]

cheers Keith that was an excellent ride to Brighton

i got home dead last though hopefully a week without riding will sort out my knee

sorry about your mishap Stu - I hope you didn't damage my quick link

[Andrew G]

Had a spin down in the 18s and felt pretty good sitting up front for most of the way. A big thanks to PVT for directing us down some cracking lanes. For some reason people decided to keep leaving us . Just before Turners Hill Paul called straight on, half did but for some reason the rear half turned left, presumably to keep to the official L2B route, but missing out of some stunning scenery and quiet narrow lanes in preference for main roads.

Turning down Slugwash (you have to on a Brighton ride) and a couple didn't and went straight on. We waited a bit but they didn't reappear so left them to follow the main road in. Oddly one of them was Ben who's been on countless PVT CBCs where we always go down the glory that is Slugwash.

Up the Beacon and I was wrestling my bike a bit (and choking on burnt clutch fumes for half of it with everyone else). Keith came passed and for some stupid reason I decided to accelerate on to his wheel. Held it for all of a few seconds 'til he accelerated again and left me. Michelle was on my wheel so I tried a crap attempt at a dig but my legs said no, Michelle nipped passed to pip me to the top to John Czs enthusiastic shouts. Quick regroup and said hello to my Dad who was having a well earned sit down on the grass munching his kendal mint cake (nice retro food ).

Sylv and Keith did a fantastic job of towing Michelle, PVT, and myself along the top road at a blistering pace. Then the descent - 52.6mph today. Followed up with another motor(Keith and Sylv) paced run to the beach for pasta and a chat with the masses. Top showing from Amy and John L taking a J4F to Brighton and the 2 ladies who'd ridden down on shopping bikes complete with basket.

Jumped in with Shadow, and Mark McLs group for the return. I always hate the start, a long drag up to the top of the dyke with my legs still heavy from the rest and food. Trouble was they didn't get any better and the effects of last week's rather long race were being felt. Managed to hang on for grim death, although whenever the road went up by even 0.5% I slipped off and had to get back on on the flat, until near Redhill.

The pace was getting wound up, Kasper and Dombo slipped off followed by Ben. I think I went next but not by too much and went by Kevin who'd engaged a low gear as his legs fell off. Mine finally fell in a ditch on the drags up to Redhill and it was just a gentle ride back from there. I got caught at a few sets of lights and Ben came back so we just rode in together. Sadly we also caught Sylv, sad as he was suffering really badly with his knee which was hurting like hell.

Knowing how important nutrition is I've made sure to replenish stocks tonight with a couple of Black Sheep for carbs and a trip to the local fish n chip emporium for my Omega 3.

[Alan M]

A fairly brief comment from me - felt very slow and uninspired on the way there, adopting a survival strategy that just about kept me with the 19s, although in truth the pace wasn't that fast.

On the way back I 'matured in the barrel' and by the end was feeling quite competitive and enjoyed the fast pace towards and beyond Redhill. Adam was the man of the match - first up Dichling and always in command on the return.

Had coffee outside the Rectory pub in Purley and met up with Kevin and Kasper who arrived somewhat abashed at resorting to the train from Redhill - eventually Robbie passed by and told us of his detour via East Grinstead. Watched the rest passing by and now, well into the evening, feel pleasantly Pino Grigioed.

[Alboy]

My first ACC CR and out to Brighton in the slow group headed by John the Old en and Amy.
I must say what a fantastic time I had yesterday. Great quiet and hilly route by Amy. Nearly four hours to get there.
That Devils dyke is bloody hard.
Great Fish and chips at the Regency. Loads of ACC shirts and bikes. I didn't realise this club is so big.
Thanks everyone. Nicest bunch of people I could wish to spend a day with after not feeling myself with the split with my grilfriend.

I slept well last night.

See you all soon and thanks

AL

[Grahame]

I was having a lovely ride down with a (very) large 17s group when, on the fist climb after Turner's Hill, I found a huge piece of glass which caused the largest bang I've heard since witnessing a 2CV backfiring on the race circuit at Vallelunga (long story). Anyway, as well as the puncture, I had a 5mm tear in the casing of my tyre. So, in true Bodgeit and Run style, it was out with the duct tape - 4 layers inside the tyre looked like it would be enough and inflate. The bulge in the tyre looked a bit too dodgy to trust on the way down from Ditchling Beacon, so let the tyre back down to 1/2 pressure and accept that (apart from the slow speed limp to Haywards Heath station) my ride was over.

Got passed by the 19s and the B training group whilst slow pedalling to the station. Had a consolation bacon roll and caught the train back to ECBR.

[Dombo]

Great ride down with the 18s ably led by PVT and Andrew G. A couple of p*******s provided welcome rest stops (thanks Mr T ) and our huge group slowly diminished as various people turned off or in my case missed turnings. In my case that was Slugwash which Paul, Ben (I think) and I sailed past until we realised we were heading back to HH, chucked a U-ey and rejoined the correct route. Got directions to Ditchling from what I now know to be Wivelsfield, and as we joined the main road a couple of Agreeables (Sylv and Keith I think) swept past at some ungodly speed.
Ben (?) shot off towards Ditchling while I tucked in behind Paul for a steady run to the village and the legendary climb. Met the others at the top and managed to lose them again at the main road so I took a wrong turn and came down the slower Ditchling Road into Brighton, eventually finding the cafe and possibly the best plaice and chips I've ever had.
Suddenly the cafe emptied and no sign of any 18s to go back with; one group left with a cheery "just ride along here and turn right, you'll catch us on the Dyke". Great. Mapless I set off with John, took the first reasonable looking right turn and eventually found myself alone on the Dyke Road. A swift descent and found some lost Agreeables and we ambled North before being swept up with Andrew's huge group. A very fast return ensued, passing Monty's (stationary) group and then the picturesque route via central Crawley where I fell off the back spent and meandered up the A23 alone towards home. Stopped on the Merstham drag for a brief rest and refreshing pork pie portion before the final climb to Netherne and a hot shower. 89 miles total at average 17mph.
Thanks to all for organising a great day out

[Phil L]

I decided to go with the 18s as I did on the June run. PVT was volunteered to lead the group to much initial resistance, but lead us out with Andrew G at a comfortable pace. Two punctures within minutes of each other in the lanes before Smallfield. The first of the PVT detours was to head towards Copthorne rather than Effingham Park, which caused confusion at the back as to whether this was in error (as happened with the 18s on the June run) or whether we were off on a gruelling PVT special mystery tour. Half a dozen of us at the back decided to stick to the "London to Brighton" official route and headed for Turners Hill via Effingham Park. Unlike in June where the whole club seemed to meet at Turners Hill together, it was deserted this time. After waiting about 7 or 8 minutes wondering whether the 18's would turn up, a lead breakaway group of 4 or 5 arrived, and a minute or two later followed by PVT to tell us that the 18s were waiting at the junction down the road and were going an alternative route. Though tempted, the consensus was that the down hill blast from Turners Hill to Haywards Heath would be far more pleasant (on the legs and not necessarily the scenery), so the now two breakaway groups set off together along the official route again. Not far down the road we blended into the 17s who had just stopped to deal with a puncture.

For the ascent up Ditchling Beacon , we had become a strung out line up the hill. Being towards the front I missed the commotion with the cars, and the arrival of the 19s and training group. I heaved my way up on my unsympathetic gear ratio (must change it before I hit the Pyrenees next week). At the top, I didn’t have to wait long before what seemed like half the club was arriving, followed by plenty of frustrated motorists, with the odd one or two flooring their gas guzzling throttles in annoyance as they passed. Usual great blast into Brighton. Only managed 43mph past the speed camera (40mph limit) which didn't set it off (probably would in North Wales!!!). It would be quite amusing if a stream of several dozen cyclists could trip it - would be a fantastic strobe effect. Not sure how they would issue tickets though, a crouched bum identity parade in full Addiscombe kit may be?

At Brighton, I indulged in a much regretted full portion of spag bog at the highly efficient Regency (should have stuck with the kiddies’ portion like last time). I departed with a mixture of 17s and 18s. The climb up to Devil's Dyke was hindered by the rather full stomach and repeats of the spag bog, though once settled proved to be a good energy store. The ride home in the lanes seemed to go quickly. Caught the 16s just before the drag up to Warninglid. A ten minute wait at the top allowed at least a couple of dozen of us to congregated by the pond. It was easy to forgot that we were on a ride, and most of happily chatted away, with no worries of cooling down, or whether we were disturbing the sleepy tranquillity of the village. The 17/18s were given a head start and didn't see any more ACCers until we reached Rusper where an equal number of the club were re-stocking at the general store. Another ten minute rest, and away we all went at a blistering rate along the reverse club run. However, after a mile out of Newdigate, the pack was moving far too quick to hear any shouts from the back that we had missed the left turn. Half a dozen of us tentatively followed trying to recall whether this was actually a quicker route, but realising we were heading straight back to Charlwood, we looped back at the next junction, adding some more unnecessary miles for our weary legs to absorb. With around 90 miles on the clock going up the Merstham drag, I seemed to feel stronger than I normally do on any club run. I don't know why it is, probably because my legs begin to blank out pain after several hours of pedalling, but the final blast home seemed to be quicker and more pleasant than any club run. I’m really getting into these long club runs and we should do more of them to different destinations – every bank holiday week end should have one.

[John the old'un]

What a great day out. Amy providing a great route there and back which was, in essence, the usual route in reverse, a group of seven of us set out on our epic journey.
Ably assisted by Graham and directed by Amy, Newbies Allan (Allboy), Anna, Claudine plus regular Michelle kept a nice steady pace aiming to make it to Brighton in a fit state to enjoy a pleasant lunch at the Regency.
Well, after a terrific effort by Claudine on her shopping bike complete with 3 gears and a shopping basket plus rucksack, Allan making it look like he had done all this before, Anna making light work of it, and Michelle laughing and joking all the way, we all made it up over Devil's Dyke, and then enjoyed the fast run in to Hove and along the seafront to the cafe.
What an achievement. All 3 Newbies were over the moon at having made such a trip.
Needless to say, they decided to relax for the afternoon and let the train take the strain on the way back.
So that left the four of us to make the return trip. This time up the drag to the top of Ditchling Beacon, then Haywards Heath, Turners Hill, Crawley Down,
and back via Bletchingly.
By six pm I was enjoying a nice hot bath with a glass of Merlot.
What a way to spend a Saturday.!!!!!!

[Marky Mark]

[size=200]The 15 Group, 08.30[/size]

Cheshire Cat grin super smile John C took us on a great route, we even loved the hilly detour!! .

[img]http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/kingdomhearts/images/thumb/e/ea/Cheshire_Cat.jpg/250px-Cheshire_Cat.jpg[/img]

CSS - Ditchling Beacon - Brighton

Bald-Rick, 'Earbud' Max, Dave, Mr Roy , Rob on his new bike and Myself. Superb route all the way through Surrey, John shouted at me all the way up Ditchling Beacon, I COULD NOT of got up there without his support and encouragement, many thanks to you John and glad to have you back after your mini break.

That was Earbuds (13 years old) longest ever ride and only really got into trouble once with a slight lack of oxygen , Well done Max the human Earbud for completing the Brighton run and you did deserve that sleep you had in the car on the way back

What a great site it is to see a mass of Yellow in the Regency restaurant, the family known as the Addiscombe Cycling Club . The sun was shining down on us that day. Roll on the next one.

Brighton - Devils Dyke - Charlwood - Home

Mr : So much power in him that he snapped his own chain on Devils Dyke, I managed to get it back together for him but he was forced to get the train back out of pure safety, I was good while it lasted and you're a pleasure to ride with Sir.
Cheshire cat John C : Mr motivator and the endless support you give to everybody, it does not go unnoticed.
Dave (known to his friends as John) : Sorry for getting your name wrong for so long Dave, great ride considering your bike had more rattles than a kindergarten.
Bald-Rick : I gave him no option to ride back even though he had the offer of a lift home, well done even though the last 20 miles after the pub stop were hard.
Marky Mark. I had a fantastic day, over the moon with getting up Ditchling non stop. And I will not be boring you about my mechanical failure , lets just say that the sooooooothing powers of Sudocrem are a great relief for me this morning Wink Wink

Mechanical Failures
Mr Green...............Broken chain
Dave....................Iffy spoke
Dave....................Lock ring fell off his Cassette
Marky Mark............Saddle 1, Bottom 0
Bald-Rick...............Drinks bottle was child proof, ha ha ha

My ride ended with me getting off my bike exactly 3 feet away from my friends barby. I had a beer in my hand before my cleat and touched the ground. That's what friends are for.

[size=150]Quality day, big smiles all round[/size]

[Fabobiker]

Great day for me too! It was my first club run, and even though I was out of training, I really wanted to make it down to Brighton.
I joined the 16 mph group and I have to say thanks to everyone in the group. Everybody was very friendly and very strong at attacking the hills.
I tried to get ahead on the flatter roads, to try to get some advantage at the start of the hills, but as I watched everyone pass me, for some reason I always made it up last.. thanks for waiting at the top and always making sure that everybody (myself in particular) was there.
On the way back, probably on the last hill, my legs didn't respond anymore, therefore as I reached the top the group had just disappeared. Thought I spotted a few cyclists in the distance from the club, but when I caught up with them I realised that they weren't part of Addiscome. Discovered I was at Gatwick airport, so I made my way slowly back through the A23 to South Croydon. (A bit of extra milage for me..got home at 6.30). Done 106 MILES !
Anyway I really enjoyed the day out, and am looking forward for the next Club run and thanks again to the Captains (sorry I'm very bad in remembering names..) and to all the people in the 16 mph group.
BEST MOMENT OF THE DAY:reaching the top of Ditchling Beacon hill, and seeing the painted Pantani sign on the road, the view of the sea and knowing that we made it!!!
WORST MOMENT OF THE DAY:Feeling sorry for the girl in our group who crashed, followed by an idiot in his car yelling and hollering at everyone, just because we were all in the road trying to help her. Bastardo!!
Cheers, CIAO Fabo (Fabrizio the skier)
[img]http://i34.tinypic.com/2zoxmjq.jpg[/img]