Ditchling Beacon was fun. Dead chuffed to see (well I didn’t actually see it as I was still half –way down the hill but you get the idea) my boy, Sam, beat Monty ‘the Mountain Goat’ to the top. Monty “I’ve only just recovered from a heavy cold†the Mountain Goat was magnanimous in defeat. (He only flicked Bolognaise sauce in my face. It could have been so much worse.)
Fabo the Italian Skier was last up – his first CR, first time on a bike in a year, pushing a big 39/25 gear – his awesome effort inspired the rest of the group to spontaneous applause, cries of Bravo!! Forza!! Forza!!! and a rendition of Nessun Dorma.
Quick photos on the pier and then a mad dash on to the Regency to ensure we got there first to get the best tables – in the sun and out of the wind – and avoid the queues.
Grilled plaice and chips, and a pint of Pepsi was probably not the best choice of meal before a ride of 50 odd gruelling miles but I must say that the plaice was absolutely delicious – fresh, fresh, fresh (you could almost taste the raw sewage) and done to perfection.
Untangled the bikes (one unforeseen problem of being the first to arrive), photos in the garden and then we (now 20 with an additional four joining our group) headed back.
Unfortunately we had a crash – the peleton slowed suddenly - she touched a wheel and she was off. Fortunately, not too badly hurt (I hope?) – bruises and grazes. As Fabo says a w*nker in a bl**ding great big car tried to push through us honking his horn as we helped her to her feet. T*sser!!!
We all got to Faygate together (well almost – someone had to get the train and one or two went with them) and in one piece then after a brief rest to regroup we were off again. The pace noticeably quickened as Connor finally warmed up!
I went through a real rough patch as my stomach manfully tried to digest the Piscean delight and couldn’t keep up. I had to ease off for 5 minutes and then despite a huge effort I couldn’t get back to the main group – god knows where they got to but they weren’t waiting for anyone! We passed several of the group who were spat out the back but in the end we gave up and Sam and I decided to make our own way home.
We waited for a few minutes at the turning to Leigh for any stragglers – sorry Fabo didn’t know if you were in front or behind us. Rode gently to Reigate and then blitzed it to SE25 along the A23 picking up Richard on the way.
Home by 5.45. 104 miles door-to-door at just over 15 mph average. Really enjoyed it. Thanks to everyone for another Agreeable day! Fantastic!!
The others assured me you would tag on to someone's wheel. Sounds like you've not been put off too much and will come out with us again. Look forward to seeing you again soon. 
! I can't wait to have more milage in my heavy skier's legs! 
Cheers, Fabo
