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.
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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!
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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.
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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