26 Oct-Ups & Downs of The Sunday Club Ride

A group of 9 enthusiastic cyclists set off from the Harrow at 8 am to do battle with hills of East Sussex. It was good to see some new faces amongst the regular ones, maybe due in part to the friendlier start time of 8.00am and hopefully by awareness from the club blog & regular email alerts.Simon G & Ivan were great additions to the regular Sunday field, as were "newbies" Gary & Adam. We set off, heading down Queensway, taking the turning towards Crowhurst and our first set of hills, as we climbed all the way back up Forewood Lane to Telham. The long drag fragmented the group and we regrouped at the main road. This would be the pattern for the rest of the ride, with riders pursuing Ivan up the hills and regrouping at the top.
Through Catsfield, before the climb up to the North Trade Road took us further inland through Penhurst, followed by the pleasurable ascent of Brightling Hill. A timely saddle problem for Dan H & puncture for Nick S gave the group a chance to rest the legs briefly at the top.

 Descending into the Darwell valley could mean just one thing, another climb. This time it was to be Eatenden Lane, over the Mountfield level crossing and all the way up to Netherfield Church, before the fast drop & slow climb up towards Battle.Through Whattlington to Cripps corner, we then took Poppinghole lane to Robertsbridge, where we had our second equine encounter with a rather jittery horse that kept scuttling sideways as we tried to pass. Cautiously we all made it through without spooking the horse or jockey to much. Yet another tough hill took us towards The Curlew, with Nick attacking Ivan at the start of the climb and then running out of gusto, as Ivan camly rode past and disappeared into the distance, as did most of us at that point, to the amusement of the whole group, with the usual barrage of abuse that such a failed move deserves.The sight of the Curlew Pub meant that we only had a short descent to Bodiam Castle, and a well earned stop at the Castle cafe. It was here that newbie "Adam" informed me that I know his sister-in-law, the gutsy & courageous "Iron Man" competitor "Nicky Wood", whom I have ridden with on several occasions as part her training. Having a sister-in-law with a never quit attitude, puts Adam in the rather uneviable position of never being able to chuck in the towel, whatever the ride threw at him, or face ridicule from the family!
After resting the legs, we remounted and took the steady climbing lanes to Northiam, followed by the newly resurfaced Furnace lane climb to Broadoak. Nearly done, all we had left was the drop through Brede, before the climb into Westfield and back out again up to the Ridge.
Heart rates were raised & legs truly tested, with all 9 riders finishing with slightly weary smiles on their faces. A tough ride & a baptism of fire for Gary & Adam on their maiden club outing with 52 miles & 4850ft of climbing!!
J.V