3/4 Mayfield Mayhem- Improver's Special

Good dry, sunny (but still quite cold) weather for the first Improver's Spring special ( Mayfield Mayhem). Out of all the rides in my collection this one has got the second highest hill density at 106 feet per mile (only the mad jack audax has more). We had a good turnout of eight riders ,including for the first time on an improver's ride, Kim brown. Most of the group had ridden out to the start (Robertsbridge) making the ride even harder.

John stretches his legs

To help avoid riders getting lost, I had encouraged everyone to put the route on their gamins but most of the riders had failed to do so (tut tut). Sure enough within a couple of miles Andy had got separated from us when he thoughtfully waited for stragglers , not realising that he was now the last man.We were now out of sight and he didn't know which way we had gone , unfortunately he didn't have anyone's mobile number. Fortunately Facebook came to his rescue as I received notification of his predicament on my mobile and I was able to Facebook him my number.

Our pace was quite slow and steady as we wound our way up towards Wadhurst (500 feet). The roads were mostly dry and devoid of traffic. We were really getting into the swing of things now and enjoying the spring sunshine and the non existent wind.

Kim leads the 'Improvers'

We were not alone, as our route overlapped with riders doing the Velo sportive. We felt rather smug as we were enjoying the same lanes but were not paying twenty pounds for the privilege.

We were shaken out of our serenity when we narrowly missed a massive pot hole spread across the middle of a fast decent towards Eridge. I dread to think what state rider and bike would have ended up in if they had hit this chasm .

Kim suffered our one and only puncture but the combination of rim tyre and tube proved to be difficult and it took the combined efforts of four riders and a big chunk of time to finally get it fixed.

Our pace increased a little as we headed into Ashdown forest. Before long we reached Hartfield . From here there is a 400 feet climb to the top of the forest. There are two options, the famous Kidd's hill (known locally as the wall) or the better surfaced longer but kinder hill past  Chuck's Hatch. Much to my surprise Kim informed me that she had never ridden the wall, unfortunately she will have to save that pleasure for another time as the gpx directed us past Chuck's hatch. I really enjoyed the feeling of getting into a rhythm up this lovely hill and was actually disappointed to reach Kings Standing at the top.

Another hill to grind up

We now enjoyed a superfast three mile decent down to Fairwrap. Some of the car drivers didn't appreciate having to overtake so many cyclists and one driver of a Morgan sports car had his hand permanently pressed down on his horn until he finally disappeared into the distance.

The road through Fairwrap is very narrow and twisty. Great care needs to be taken. Pete was not amused to be nearly taken out by a car coming around a blind bend.This is something we will have to remember for next year .

Riders were now getting tired, hungry and thirsty. Kim was directing us towards a cafe at Mayfield but it never seemed to get any closer, as we carefully wound our way through narrow country lane avoiding puddles and gravelly areas.

Andy enjoys the initial decent from Burwash 

Finally we did arrive at Mayfield and the excellent 'Pink cabbage cafe' . Here we refuelled on cake and coffee before setting out for the final and hardest leg of our journey. To get back to Robertsbridge we would have to tackle the two mile continuous climb from Burwash to Brightling . Derek was really struggling now and just like Captain Oates on Scott's fatal Antarctic expedition, asked us to "leave me outside as I may be gone some time"!
Myself and David are about the same weight and a good match for each other as we ground  up the relentless slopes, leaving the lighter riders to shoot ahead.

At last we reached Brightling, all the hard work was done. From here it was downhill in all directions as we said goodbye to each other and headed for home.

Many thanks to those who came on the first improver's spring special of 2016, the next one is on Sunday April 10- North Down's Nemesis.

Steve C