11/10 Audax- Autumn Tints

Dave 'El supremo' Hudson has severely cut back on what audaxes he organises. This is a great shame as Dave spoils everyone with lots of lovely grub and endless cups of tea. This is the only one he now does in our area.

Our entry numbers were down a bit on last year with just myself, Malc C, Gary L, Gareth (riding with friend Dan), and Tom .

Like most local audaxes, the event started at the leisure centre at Hailsham. After a quick hot cup of tea we were off and rolling at the official 9:00 departure time.

The route headed out back to Hastings and along the weds chain-gang route back to bexhill . On the way the six of us ended up splitting into three ability groups: Gary/Tom, Steve/Malc, Gareth/Dan .

Tom On His Third Cup Of Tea!

Malc was having to ride his heavy old commuter bike so when I pulled over for a pee and to adjust my saddle I fully expected to be able to catch up with him but had forgotten just how well he rides on  the flat.

With no chance of catching Malc, I teamed up with a couple of female cyclists instead but on reaching the old town I split away from the official route up Harold road  to head up the steeper but nicer barley lane. After a moments hesitation the ladies decided to stick to the official route as the start of barley lane looked intimidatingly steep.

From there until Winchelsea I had to ride alone, passing the occasional audax rider fighting into a mild headwind from the east.

Refuelling By El Supremo!

On reaching Winchelsea we were treated to El Supremo's impressive array of snacks and hot drinks. Tom was in his element and by the time we left he had been there for about an hour, eaten several pork pies and three cups of tea.

Myself, Malc, Gary and Tom were all back together again and were soon onto the familiar 'Friday night' broad Oak drag. It seemed strange going straight over the Broad-oak junction instead of left towards Westfield. From this point on its endless rolling hills all the way to Heathfield. This is one of my favourite roads to ride, although Tom thinks the traffic makes it a bit dangerous.

Malc Suffering At 'Three Cups'!

Tom and Gary eventually pulled away from myself and Malc. The extra weight of Malc's bike plus the high mileage he had ridden this week was now beginning to tell on him. I could have ridden away from him as well but was perfectly happy repeatedly riding ahead  then waiting for him to catch up, before riding ahead again.

Turning south after Heathfield, only about ten miles of riding through some attractive villages was left. When we got to a small village name Waldron we spied an attractive pub where Gary and Tom were sitting in the sunshine enjoying a pint. It would have been rude not to join them so myself and Malc ordered some beers and enjoyed a chat, taking in the lovely autumn sunshine and waving out to all the audaxers who kept riding past the pub . Just as we finished our drinks Gareth and Dan appeared. We felt a bit guilty leaving them drinking on their own but if we had stayed we would have ended up drinking another pint and we still had seven lumpy miles plus the drive home to do.

Making The Most Of The Autumn Sunshine!

All too soon, the ride was over and it was time to hand in our brevet cards to El supremo's accolytes. Once again we guzzled several cups of tea as well as several pieces of cheese on toast that Dave was cooking over his micro grill.

The fabulous weather made this a fantastic day out, I thoroughly recommend audaxing to club members who have yet to try them .Next week lee and Tom are doing the Mid Sussex hillier audax., its too late to enter now but there is another one you can enter on 29 of November
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-363/


Steve C