Brighton Hack Ride December 30 2010

Thanks to everyone who came on the brighton hackbike ride: Paul K, Malcolm, Ivan, Duncan, Simon, Colin, Pete T, Pete B, paul F, myself. We had a really good day. The weather was very kind with a reasonable temperature and a moderate tail wind all the way to Brighton. Pace was steady rather than quick, my garmin says our average speed was only 14.4 mph but that was ideal for a hack bike ride. Welcome to Duncan on one of his first group rides and well done to Pete Byrne who hadn't ridden for about a year and was on a new bike. Pub stops were enjoyed at East Dean, Seaford and Rottindean. There was thick fog on Beachy Head which made for a difficult decent for me and Colin who wear specs. We nearly got squished by an impatient bus driver on the road between East Dean and the 'Golden Galleon' who decided to overtake us when a lorry was coming the other way and then had to find space to pull in. Unlike the last couple of years, the undercliff route to brighton was open so that cut out much of the busy road between Rottindean and Brighton. On arrival at brighton we ate at our usual cheapo Chinese restaurant before having a few beers. Ivan was the first to leave, which surprised me until I found out it was because he was riding back home!!!
If you want to see the photos, just click on the slideshow to the right.
S.C

Simon chaingangs alone Dec 29th

Icy weather and a persistent cough has kept me off the bike for a month so I was keen to get out. With an hour to go I whipped the mudguards from an old frame in the the attic and wrangled them on to the Scot. Of course this turned out to be more troublesome than I anticipated and I arrived late. Set off in hot pursuit helped by a good tailwind -but as the fog cleared I couldn't see any tail lamps up ahead so paused to replace a weak headlamp battery, spare was flat! Soon after I met Simon Grogan returning alone and we rode back to Bexhill together, Simon said he felt unfit after the hols but was steadily powering through the headwind alright, my legs were wooden by the end, but felt good to break the ice of a long lay-off. See you next week.
Chris Watson

Sunday Run 2 January

I aim to be at the Harrow at 9.00 to set off by 9.10am. I have not been too well over Christmas, from what I have read it might have been the vomitting bug ...., so I may well not be up for too long or hard ride but I really do need to get out for some fresh air and to spin the legs.
Chris Parker

Brighton hack Bike is on

The Brighton hack ride is on. Meet at the little car park at ravenside near the 'cafe on the beach' by the railway bridge at 11:30 sharp on Thursday 30 December.
SC

Post xmas early bird ride

Myself, Ivan and malcolm went out and did an early bird ride today (45 miles) despite the constant light rain and drizzle. Normally we would have called it off but were deperate to get out after all the snow and ice. It was so foggy on top of beachy head that the three of us got seperated when Ivan and Malcolm stopped at the top. They didnt see me as I cycled past and i didnt see them waiting at the side of the road. Despite being completely soaked we were all glad to finally get out again, amazingly there was still some snow on the road between between beachy head and East Dean!
SC

A brace of Simons on Chain Gangs

Only a brace of the three Simons were brave enough to venture out on the weds chaingang (22 Dec). Despite the cold they were able to do the normal Norman's bay route as there was no ice. Looking ahead to the weather , temperatures should be around normal next week so hopefully attendance will improve.
S.C

The previous week (15 Dec) the brace had already set off when I arrived a few minutes late (train delays, no surprise) but they turned back to get me. They are too strong for me and I said go ahead but they held back for me a regain a wheel a few times before they pulled too far ahead coming out of Bexhill. My front tire was going flat so I stopped outside the Star Inn to change the tube. I set out to Pevensey but soon turned round to tag along with the returning brace. Unfortunately I had not been able to find the source of the puncture and by Cooden it was flat again. This time the minute flint was found so I was OK for the return run in to Hastings after a dry ride in reasonable temperatures. Those that were put off by a damp afternoon missed out on a good evening.
Chris Parker

Friday Chaingang 10 dec

A very enjoyable Friday chaingang last night.There were five riders (me, Paul K, Simon G, Malcom and Ivan)The temperature was up to a sweltering 5 degrees. Good to welcome Paul Keineder to his frist friday chaingang, Paul really enjoyed it so hopefully will be a regular. There was a hideous disco going on in our usual post ride drinking venue so we had to ride up yet another hill to get to the fairlight lodge for a drink instead (a strange place to drink as you feel you are sitting in someones front room). those who have never tried the friday chaingang should give it a go as its a very different beast to the weds chaingang.
SC

December 30 hack bike ride

The next hack bike ride is Thursday dec 30

This will be a ride to brighton (kemp town) where we will go for something to eat before more drinks and the train ride home.

You will need to take a lock with you and good lights. You will need a change of clothes in a a back pack

I will plan the route. I am torn between a ride along the coast or a ride inland.

It would be good to do the ride along the coast as its a bit milder and we havent done it for a few years and it will take us straight into kemp town, on the other hand the ride inland goes through lewes and passes the wonderful half moon inn just before the fabulous climb up Ditchling beacon before the long descent down to Brighton

I will leave it up to you which ride we do (whichever gets most votes)
email me your choice- coast route or inland route


I will check the weather two days before. if the weather forecast is bad, I will cancel the ride there and then. if the forecast turns out to be wrong, thats too bad, i think its better for everyone to know for sure whether its off or on.

steve

Freezing Chaingang

Only six brave souls decided to ride the chaingang tonight: myself, Chris P, Simon G, Simon N, Paul and jay. Earlier Simon G had spotted a lot of ice patches on Herbrand Walk. We therefore decided to ride to the pevensey roundabout on the main road. This route completely free of ice. On the way back we avoided galley hill because that also had ice. Despite the cold, a very enjoyable ride. I would strongly recommend that every time the temperature is hovering around zero, we avoid Herbrand Walk and galley hill.
S.C

Sunday Run 5 December

I was one of those that dropped out of the hack ride, not fancying a very wet backside (from the melted snow) on the stops and heavy rain was forecast. [I made it for the curry and drinks in the evening though] Sunday's weather was as expected dry but cold and no frost. I was at the Harrow as usual. So where was everyone that dropped out of the hack ride?!!?

I had a good ride with five Bayeux tops. Normans Bay, Hankham, Hailsham, Arlington tea rooms. Once or twice I thought I might not hold on but I kept with them all the way out. After coffee we went up to Lower Dicker then took the main road back to Glynde Gap. I and one of the other guys were off the pace and rode together from Herstmonceux until we met up with the front four at the top of Standard Hill.

It was not a long ride but the roads were mostly dry apart from a few places where there were floods of melt water.

I was pleased to have finally got some overshoes. I ordered some from Ozzo/Mike Dyason at 6.30am Monday morning and had a card through my letter box when I got home Tuesday evening to say my neighbour had the parcel of goodies. I did not realise Mike Dyason had retired and sold the business to IMP. The prices seem a bit higher but for basic es they are still pretty good.

I will not be having a bacon butty ride on Saturday 11th and am not able to ride Sunday 12th. Hopefully some of you will meet at the Harrow and organise your own route.

Chris Parker

Very Wet hack Bike Ride

Only three hardy souls turned up for the tenth anniversery of the hack bike rides. This was me (steve curtis), Pete Tadros and Colin Henderson. In a way this was very appropriate as it was the same three who started the twice annual hackbike rides 10 years ago.A lot of riders were worried about the ice but in the end it was the rain that was the problem. We managed to get to Battle via Rye and Broadoak where we stopped for our first drink. When we looked outside it was torrential rain, so we decided to have another two drinks and then head straight home.The ride home was 'interesting' with flooding of the road due to the rain and the melting snow. All three of my rear LEDs packed up so I had to ride back without them (looks like Ivan and PT were right , those new 7 LED smart lights are crap!).We still completed 30 miles, so not too shabby considering the conditions. Pete wants to organise another one around the Xmas/New year period, hopefully the weather will be kind and we will have a much larger turnout.
S.C

Hack bike ride this saturday reminder

A reminder that this saturday is the first hack bike ride of the season
This will be a very gentle pace, there are some people coming e.g steve standen, pete byrne, ben corbishley who havent done much riding lately, so the pace will be ideal for any newcomers (e.g duncan).

Pete tadros is organising this one (not me) ,petes mobile is +447872513941 so direct any questions to him

It is up to you to sort your own locks out. I would advise you take a lock with you so you can lock the bike up at the pub

As described in petes details below, I will check the weather later on this week. If the weather looks dodgy, pete tadros will make the final decision on saturday morning and once I have heard from him I will email you all

Some of you may decide to go for a meal afterwards. if so it is up to you to make sure you have a lock


Details on the Hack bike ride December 4th
Pete tadros is organising the first Hack bike ride of this season.
Here are the details.

1. The Route

- Meet at smugglers at 11.00am for an 11.15 departure
- Ride to Rye
- Take the road to Broad Oak
- Cross the road to Cripps Corner
- Cross the road to Watlington
- Climb the hill to Battle*
- Pub stop at Kings Head Battle
- Ride to Netherfield up Netherfield Hill*
- Take a right to three cups corner
- Pub stop at The Three Cups
- Take a left to Rushlake Green
- Left to Bodle Street Green
- Through Bodle Street Green towards Windmill Hill
- Left towards Boreham Street and Ninfield
- Climb Standard Hill*
- Pub stop Blacksmiths Inn Ninfield
- Ride back through Sidley and along the Seafront to Bay Spice,
Hastings

(approx 45 miles total)

2. You will need:

- A bike capable of 16/17 mph average
- Some good lights
- Money for the beer kitty and curry
- Snack bars (there is no lunch stop)
- Change of clothes (optional and weather dependant)

3. Speed and gearing

This is mainly a social ride with three "*catogarised climbs" for a bit
of healthy competition (optional). The rest of the time a speed of
16/17 mph with be all that is done. I will gear my fixed down to 46/18
(about 68") which limits comfortable spinning to sub 20 mph. I suggest
other fit fixies do the same.

4. Weather

Steve "Michael Fish" Curtis will keep an eye on the weather forecast
and will put us on "yellow alert" on previous Thursday if the forecast
is bad.
A final decision will be made Saturday morning so keep an eye on the
blog and keep your phones on

Steve Curtis

Sunday's run and fair weather riders !!

Having found some new winter tyres lying around in the garage (whilst looking for overshoes) I got up early to replace my light racing tyres and noticed that the frost was not very heavy so a ride would be OK. Just before 8.30 I had a text to ask if the run was going ahead in the snow. I looked out to see a few flakes and texted "yep". There was no one at the Harrow so I set out to Battle, seeing Shaun Reed and one other Bayeux top on their way to Hastings. I decided on a short run. North Trade Road and Wartling were OK but on approaching Pevensey roundabout the road was covered in a thin layer of snow so I decided to take the main road back to Bexhill. There was quite a bit of ice in the gutter and it was a bit touchy in Bexhill. When I go to St Leonards the side roads were newly covered in snow and I had to walk down Reedswood Road carefully. So it was a good to have had a bit of fresh air and some sunlight but my toes were shrammed, hopefully not next week now I have finally ordered some overshoes to replace the tatty ones I must have thrown away in the spring.

Some riders do not go out if the temperature is below 5 degrees. It will have to be lower and with a hard frost, particularly if on previously wet roads, before I will miss out on some fresh air.

Saturday 4 December is the Christmas hack ride so no bacon butty run. I aim to be at the Harrow at 9.00am to depart by 9.10am Sunday morning.

Chris Parker

Saturday's Bacon Butty Ride in the Snow

I am not easily put off when the scent of bacon butty is in the air. Chatting to a neighbour who had been on the phone before defrosting her car I heard reports on a half inch of snow on the ground in Pett but all clear in Bexhill. Four of us set out but by the time we were crossing Pevensey Marsh, where the waterways were frozen, snow/sleet was stinging the eyes. After a cosy chat in Pevensey bakery we set back only to find a near white out on the way in to Bexhill with Cooden Drive completely covered and in places a bit interesting with a thin layer of snow compacted by cars. But after snow covered Galley Hill it was all clear in St Leonards.

It was well worth the ride, the first for a chap who came along for a chat at the Harrow last Sunday at 9 and was on a mountain bike with slicks. He is looking for a road bike and should be up for joining in more rides before long.

The steady paced shorter Saturday rides are a great way to find out if club riding and any of our various activities might be suitable to newcomers. They are held most weeks with a 10.00am meet and back in Hastings before 1.00pm.

Chris Parker 27 November 2010

Chaingang Report Nov 24th

A very chilly evening with temperatures hovering about zero. Fortunately the ground was dry and there was no ice to be seen. A few riders including Pete Tadros decided it was too cold to ride but we still had a good turn out with 13 riders. Tony has improved tremendously in what is only his second chaingang, depite working together Chris P and Steve were unable to keep with him on the way out. We met two gritter lorries, don't forget to blink as they pass by or you get an eyeful of salt, you'd think they might have waited till Matt got his best summer wheels safely home.
Big Stuart gave us a shout as Simon N then Matt upped the pace to string us out approaching Bexhill, with gaps opening on the hill and a group of four reaching the rest stop first.
Steve is keeping an eye on weather for Friday,
Contact Chris Parker for details of this Saturdays Bacon Butty run and will be at Harrow for Sunday run 9am.
ride safe be seen, see you next week
posted by SC & CW

Early bird ride and Harrow run Sunday Nov 21

First early bird ride of the season today. Excellent weather with no wind and some sunshine.The 43 mile route took the six of us from Bexhill to Catsfield, on to Battle, Robertsbridge, Salehurst, Bodium, Beckley, Broad oak, Three oaks, finally finishing at the Fairlight coast guard cafe.There was a lot of hill climbing including the fabulous Doleham hill. We were completely done in and running on empty when we arrived at the cafe. Carrot cake never tasted so good!!
S.C

Those that were not so keen on the early start met at the Harrow at 9. Three of us set off with 4 Bayeux guys (who were planning to go Hythe) with the intention of cutting off, which we did earlier than anticipated in Pett when we came across an alternative run of 4 guys fixing a puncture. The same person punctured at Pett Level and again along the Military Canal when, rather than get cold again, we did some through and off with club 10, 25, and 100 mile record holder former member Paul Panagi. We had a good chat in the Appledore cafe before the others joined us. Having lost a fair amount of time we went back through Stone to Rye and by Icklesham windmill.

On Saturday 27 November there will be a short steady bacon butty run meeting at 10.00am. Contact Chris Parker (07902 630574) to find where the meet is. As usual I will be at the Harrow at 9 on Sunday.

Chris Parker

Chaingang Nov 17th

Chapeau or Bunnet as they say in Scotchland, to the eleven hardy riders who braved strong winds and patchy drizzle. Max took an early flier and soloed to Galley Hill where a crowd of joggers were running toward us. A strong SouthWesterly wind made for a fast first leg and a group of four made it to the roundabout first, Matt , then Max, then CW had a dig. Return leg was harder into the wind of course, nice surprise to see club chairman Stuart Crabbe give us a cheer at the roadside as we passed his house! Simon Newell broke up the bunch with a strong ride over Cooden rise, seven regrouped by the the stoplight at Bexhill.
One good thing about the gusty drizzle, all the dog walkers stayed at home and we crossed Galley hill safely without any daft hounds diving under our wheels!

Details on the Hack bike ride December 4th

Pete tadros is organising the first Hack bike ride of this season.
Here are the details.

1. The Route

- Meet at smugglers at 11.00am for an 11.15 departure
- Ride to Rye
- Take the road to Broad Oak
- Cross the road to Cripps Corner
- Cross the road to Watlington
- Climb the hill to Battle*
- Pub stop at Kings Head Battle
- Ride to Netherfield up Netherfield Hill*
- Take a right to three cups corner
- Pub stop at The Three Cups
- Take a left to Rushlake Green
- Left to Bodle Street Green
- Through Bodle Street Green towards Windmill Hill
- Left towards Boreham Street and Ninfield
- Climb Standard Hill*
- Pub stop Blacksmiths Inn Ninfield
- Ride back through Sidley and along the Seafront to Bay Spice,
Hastings

(approx 45 miles total)

2. You will need:

- A bike capable of 16/17 mph average
- Some good lights
- Money for the beer kitty and curry
- Snack bars (there is no lunch stop)
- Change of clothes (optional and weather dependant)

3. Speed and gearing

This is mainly a social ride with three "*catogarised climbs" for a bit
of healthy competition (optional). The rest of the time a speed of
16/17 mph with be all that is done. I will gear my fixed down to 46/18
(about 68") which limits comfortable spinning to sub 20 mph. I suggest
other fit fixies do the same.

4. Weather

Steve "Michael Fish" Curtis will keep an eye on the weather forecast
and will put us on "yellow alert" on previous Thursday if the forecast
is bad.
A final decision will be made Saturday morning so keep an eye on the
blog and keep your phones on

Happy Hacking

Club run Sunday 14 November 2010

The radar forcast had the SE covered in light blue so several people decided to get their ride in on Saturday. But over night rain died away and 3 of us were at the Harrow in quite reasonable conditions. We set off up Netherfield Hill then on to Darwell Hole and up to Brightling before doing a variation on the usual route by cutting across to Boddle Street Gree. By then the rain had set in and we started to get wet and wetter. After Rushlake Green, Herstmonceux and Rickney we went directly home rather than have a cafe stop.

I aim to turn up at 9.00am almost every week at the Harrow without always e-mailing so check with me by text on 07902 630574 if you want to be sure someone suitable will be available for a ride. Steve has an early bird on Sunday 21 November (if forcast dry) but I will be at the Harrow as usual since I like the extra time in bed after a week of commuting to London.

Chris Parker

First 'Hack Bike' ride of the year

Twice a year we organise what we call a 'hack bike' ride. Our first 'hack bike' ride was ten years ago and involved a few of us getting out our old bikes and doing a route where we stopped at a few pubs before finishing off with a meal. These days, people tend to take their normal chaingang bikes, so maybe a better name would be 'chaingang special edition'?
Our first one of the season is on saturday December 4th. Pete Tadros is planning a local 45 mile route around Hastings. We will set off in the late morning. On the route we will stop off in two or three pubs before going down to Hastings for a curry (Bayspice is highly recommended). I will post out meeting details a week before. If the weather is wet, we will cancel this date and try again later in the season (last year Ivan almost died of hypothermia!).
To wet your appetite, you can view some past photos of the rides at
http://s932.photobucket.com/albums/ad162/cyclecurt3/Pre%202010%20hackbike%20rides/
or look at them on the slide show.
SC

Chaingang Nov 10th

A fantastic turnout tonight with 20 riders, smashing our previous record of 17. We have gained a lot of new riders recently; welcome to Paul from Hastings, Paul from Bexhill and Karen and her friends. It's very different to the old days when just 3 or 4 of us would turn up.
Welcome back to Mike Plowman and Jay Miles who both did the chaingang tonight after some absence (Jay was impressively fast) Jozef and all the others we haven't seen for a while. It was a still clear night, with an icy edge to the cold but it didn't feel so bad once we were warmed up. Matt and Alex set the pace at the front early on stringing out the group by Glyne Gap, Ivan and the usual suspects took spells to the roundabout where a bunch of seven led out by Paul arrived at the rest stop first.
On return Chris W broke away at beginning of Cooden Drive, the group caught him by the final hill and spun to the rest stop together.
At the back of the group Mike, Steve and Chris P just managed to catch up with Rob before arrival at Pevensey. Rob got his own back by reaching Cooden Drive before Chris P and Steve on the return.
Simon Tyler has laid down a timely challenge to all you Turbo trainers here
Chris Parker is doing the club run as usual this Sunday. We had a good turn out and a very good ride last week. Meet at the Harrow pub on the Ridge at 9.00am.

Photographs from this record breaking chaingang can be seen in the slide show or viewed at this adress
http://s932.photobucket.com/albums/ad162/cyclecurt3/Chaingang%202010/
SC & CW

Club Run Sunday 7 November 2010

The autumn club runs are often the best of the year. With short runs after the East Sussex and then club hill climbs in October the last two runs have been good sociable rides. With a couple of new riders out on Sunday 31 October the ride weaved through quiet lanes to the north on a damp morning before taking the main road from Hurst Green to Heathfield. For the first time ever we stopped at the garden centre just west of Burwash Weald for a chat, coffee and rather nice cheese scones etc. Ivan was on fixed so we decided to go on to Heathfield and back along the main road to Battle rather than back to Burwash Weald and up the long climb to Brightling Observatory past Sarah Ravens's farm.

We had seven riders out on Sunday 7 November setting out to Battle, taking in Whattlington, Poppinghole Lane, Salehurst, Sandhurst, Rolvenden, Wittersham, Rye and then up Battery Hill to the Coastguard Tea Rooms by Fairlight Church, again a first for a Sunday run. All seven went in for bacon butties, egg on toast or highly recommended carrot cake. A late stop can be a good idea if there are those that need to get home for family lunches. We had a chain break out in the wilds and normally it would have been a phone call to get a lift back but unusually someone had a chain link tool so it was fixed.

The aim will be to meet every week at 9.00am a the Harrow on the Ridge to set off by 9.10am. Some weeks there may be other events on. If anyone new wants to come along please contact Chris Parker (07902 630574) to see which of our various rides are the best starting point and that we will have someone there to ride with you at a pace suitable for you.

Chris Parker

Chaingang report Nov 3rd

On a warm, windy night with drizzle threatening but never amounting to much eight determined riders turned out, five on fixed. Pete Tadros opened a gap on Galley hill and set the pace at the front for most of the way out. Chasers Max, Ivan and Simon bravely battled a strong headwind to rejoin at the Delawarr. A strong tailwind assisted a very quick spin back, and a couple of fixed riders were able to spin fast enough to hold our places in the light evening traffic flow.

Chaingang Report 27 Oct

Fewer riders than our record breaking number last week but still a decent turnout last night with 11 riders, the early damp weather probabally put a few off? Conrad's front wheel slipped on the curb as he entered the bridge at the start of galley hill and he came crashing down. Luckily he was only a bit bruised and the bike was fine. In the end the weather was actually dry and mild with a head wind on the way out.

Sportives, Audax and Relibility Rides

I've posted a list of some of these events coming up in the next few months, see below right. The Hailsham Audax rides are all fairly local for us, I did one of these a while back, there were about 80 riders and two very well catered food stops.
posted by Chris Watson

Member's photos of the Hill Climb

Some of the black and white photos from Battery Hill, Sunday 24 October 2010, are now in "member's pics" at the bottom on the right. Many thanks to Simon and Jess for taking them and Chris Watson for uploading them. Posted by Chris Parker.

Hill Climb on Battery Hill Fairlight Sunday 22 October 2010

Sunday's hill climb on Battery Hill had a great turn out of 14 riders with plenty of supporters out giving encouragement on a bright but chilly morning. Some great photos were taken and we hope to see one or two of them in this week's Hastings Observer. In Gear's Pete Tadros had the fastest ascent by far of his "home" climb, he can look down from the viewpoint to see his back garden in Pett. Chris Watson won the club's Grimpeur Trophy and was convincing winner, for the first time, of the season long time trial series points competition for the Ken Apps Cycles trophy. Posted by Chris Parker.