26/2- HSLCC Chaingang- Bad Tumble!

Joe Back From Winter Hibernation!

I've missed a few Wednesday night chain gangs of late, so I was very much looking forward to tonight's ride in light and dry winds. And so it seems were lots of others! I think in all that 30 riders set off and at a fair clip, with a fast group emerging on Western Parade, then ripping ahead up South Cliff.

But they didn't get far. A chaos of lights and cries broke out within 100m of the turn and it was soon clear we had a rider down. Thankfully, he had not hit his head but he was clearly in pain and an ambulance was called as we didn't like the look of his right arm.

With plenty of riders in attendance, the rest of us continued the ride, slightly subdued. But it was a beautiful starry night, fresh enough to encourage a warming effort. A dozen or so riders assembled at Pevensey and began the return leg, meeting the riders who had stayed with the casualty, part-way across the marshes.

We pressed on - it's not often that Tom, Kie and myself find ourselves in the lead group (well, ok, never). Malcolm had done a cheeky turnaround and led us home, dashing across the marshes, down Herbrand Walk and along Cooden Drive. He and someone else made it back first, Kie came in third, followed by me and Tom. A new world order! Where was the marvellous Stuart Hodd and Co tonight? Languishing in the rear! Ok, I guess we had a head start...

Well, Stuart and the others eventually rolled in and the chat was inevitably about the poor crash victim. Definite broken arm, it seems, with the crash caused perhaps by a touch of wheels. Whilst we chatted the ambulance carrying him pulled up alongside. The crew opened the door and invited us to say hello, which we duly did. I don't know the name of our injured comrade, but it goes without saying that we all wish you a speedy and full recovery. And let's hope we have good weather again next week!

Neil Smith