by Andrew G » Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:26 pm
[quote="Andrew G"]- A bit lumpy/rolling in places but not what I'd call hilly.
Okay a bit of a lie, there was 1,250 metres of climbing
. There are actually only 4 or 5 real climbs as such but a lot of the rest of the route is very rolling and draggy so can sap your legs somewhat, one of those routes where you seem to gain a lot more elevation than you lose
.
[quote="Dombo"]Usual Blair Witch/Dambusters format where a dozen or so set off from GBs and gradually get picked off.
"Binky, we've lost another one"
, There was 10 at Butler's.
- We lost Amy early as she was struggling today and her legs refused to wake up (the dreaded legs of wood feeling that either goes after 5 miles or stays all day)
.
- Adrian and Jon around the Four Elms area as they had to get back.
- A chap who I know and has been out with me a few times but shamefully I can't remember his name
on the climbs near Cowden (we waited for a few minutes at the Hartfield junction but no reappearance so we moved on).
- Paul Ingram turned right for home at Ashdown Forest when we turned left and headed through Friar's Gate for Groombridge. Nipping up the climbs well today, needs a few pies in him
.
- Dombo's legs as he said finally waved a white flag at Penshurst after valiantly hanging on for a while trying to shout down the complaints they must have been making.
Rather than the usual climb over Old Farleigh Rd at the start I took us down a couple of back roads and then out via Featherbed Lane to climb out to Titsey through the quiet lanes. From there it was down Crockham and straight line all the way to Ashdown Forest over the incredibly rolling B2026, although it feels like all gradual climbing, before the final kick up to the car parks (where Paul, Ant, and Graham had to wait for those of us who were struggling up it a bit more), before cutting back down the great decent (Black Lane I think it's called) before the climb up out of Groombridge. On to Fordcombe and Penshurst, and a couple more climbs, then Four Elms where we turned off Pootings for the really tough climb up past Chartwell and the final kick of Hosey Common. After Westerham the remaining four of us (Graham, Ant, Ben, and myself) headed for the final climb up Botley but I confused them nicely by ducking left down Pilgrims Way and first right to climb up a different way (Rectory Lane) which brings you out at the base of the third step of Botley. It was on this that Graham's legs told him where to go and he blew and groveled briefly, no surprise as he'd been driving it up every climb until that stage. A nice roll back from there.
A very enjoyable day on the bike, possibly the last outing of the good bike for the year. Great company, shame some of it dropped off at various stages but hope everyone got home okay. Nice blue sky in the main and a bit of sun up there too.
Ta,
Andrew.