Tubby Tuesday Training 24/5 - The Missing Link

A solid turnout of seven riders for more Tubby Tuesday Training and first time for Nigel F who we haven't seen for a while. keri was supposed to be joining us tonight but he does have a bit of reputation for being late so I wasn't totally surprised not to see him there  Those damn traffic lights are still near the bottom of Battery Hill and as usual we got caught by the red light.

Zac finds the missing link

Released from Battery Hill we were moving along the flat road at a good pace especially considering the cold headwind that was buffering us. The pace was too fast for myself and Ricky but the Tubbies are well disciplined and were correctly waiting for us at the first regrouping point.

It was a relief to have the wind now at our backs as we headed out along the lovely float lane and up onto the Broad Oak drag. I was feeling pretty tired as I rolled up to the road junction with Ricky to rejoin the others.

We were not totally sure of the name of the connecting lane between Brede and Sedlescombe, so carefully scanned the partially hidden road sign as we entered it. The name turned out to be 'Pottery Lane' although myself and Patrick thought a more fitting name would be Pot-hole lane!

There are a few sharp little climbs on this lane. One of them proved too much for Zac's chain which unfortunately snapped. Unusually but also fortuitously , it was the connecting link which had broken. Zac wasn't sure what to do and was going to ring 'International Rescue' (his dad) but the others rallied round and Derek dug out an 11 speed 'missing link' . These can be awkward to snap into place but a well timed kick down on the pedal by Patrick did the job.

We all took it pretty easy on the cottage lane climb up to Westfield with some of our party planning an all out assault on Stonestile lane. Their plans worked out brilliantly as our party scored four PBs on stonestile (Patrick, Zac, Derek and Ricky)

Awaiting us at the top of the climb was keri. He had indeed been late and had missed the departure but at least he had done most of the route, having got ahead by cutting out the Sedlescombe part of the route. Hopefully he will be there at the start next week?

Steve C