Stravaigin* with the Hastings chaingang

 Ivan, Simon N, Steve D, Paul B.Good to see return of longtime club time trial champion and fixed gear hardman Ivan. When I joined Hastings CC about six years ago, the chaingang was basically us drafting Ivan on his winter bike - a hardtail off roader, powering big noisy dirt tyres across the tarmac like some relentless diesel express. Next to Simon N on his Roberts training bike is Steve D with a stealthy new carbon blade. Our Eastbourne contingent were missing due to foul weather over there, but Rover Kevin was over and Dave H-H fresh from his Andalucian Mountain bike stage race.

Trevor, Matt, Simon

Easterly wind chased away spits of rain and slung a bunch of seventeen along shingle and across marsh in pursuit of Matt R.  Monstering up South Cliff and dropping all of us bar Nathan F, who strava'd "Pain and Blindness" and Barney "the Quick and the Dread"! Matt's on fire.
Stuart H, Trevor and I gave chase - working well together taking short spells and keeping momentum up - felt like we were closing but couldn't get across in the last.
Way back was a bigger bunch, with some good efforts by all. I think I spotted one or two new faces - or maybe old friends in new kit? Sorry if I didn't say hello, was out of breath at both stops!

Nathan F, Matt R, Barney, Simon N, Trevor

Stravaigin* - an old Scots word - Matt R's tortuous allover route from yesterday pretty much defines it!