31/3 Tour Of The Weald Sportive

Cold But ready To Ride!

As we drove up to Staplehurst, myself Paul B and Steve B were worried about the amount of ice on the road and knew that the further inland we got the worse it was likely to be. Was this route going to be safe? After signing in we joined up with Steve D, Metin, Andy, Derek and Metin’s friend Stuart before all setting off together. The air was so cold that our fingers soon became frozen so we all rode gently together hoping to warm up. Just three miles into the route the dreaded East Hall Hill appeared in front of us rising up like the lower slopes of the Matterhorn at around 16% elevation. With cold leg muscles nowhere near warmed up, this made the climb even harder. We were all out of the saddle and plodding our way up when I heard heavy breathing and looked round to see that Derek had caught up with me, I was just thinking that Derek was really going for it when next moment he blew up and had to pull over. Determined to avoid the same fate I carried on steadily riding out of the saddle with the objective of just getting to the top without blowing a gasket, I was just going fast enough to slowly pass Steve D and remain in sight of the others. All that height was lost in a steep decent back down to just 60 feet above sea level. Being a poor decender, Steve D had caught me up and the main group lead by Andy had pulled away from me a little. Over the next 5 miles I slowly lost sight of the leading group but had Steve D for company. Another longer but slightly smaller gradient hill appeared. I managed to drop Steve D and rode on my own for the next 5 miles before recognising the upright cycling figure of Metin in the distance. Having passed Metin it wasn’t long before Steve D caught up with me only for me to drop him again on Goudhurst hill. Having discovered the cause of my noisy derailleur to simply be loose bolts my bike’s running gear was working almost perfectly and the old fashioned 36 spoke wheel I had recently put on the front mad for a much plusher ride than the lighter but harsher square rim wheel I had thrown out the day before, unfortunately my back was letting me down and at one point it was so bad I had to pull over to stretch it. This gave Steve D time to catch up with me and we rode into the only refreshment stop together. Here we met up with peter H who had been in the front group but had had to stop to reposition a cleat. Peter said he didn’t want to ride alone so I rode with him all the way back, leaving Steve D and Metin to their own devices. The route was really well way marked so I switched my Garmin to elevation mode which gave a useful heads up for any more hills. At one point we had to shout out our numbers to an official at the side of the road. Why did they want our numbers we thought? The answer soon became apparent when what looked like a cliff face soon came into view on the profile screen. Yet another large hill was going to have to be overcome and this one looked the biggest yet. Saving our energy on the approach we began the climb of what was to be the highest and longest of all the hills. Fortunately the gradient never reached higher than 6.7% so we were able to remain seated for most of it. What goes up must come down and a very steep decent on a wide road followed. Looking at the elevation profile I could see that all that remained was 3 miles of flat riding to the finish but even these proved hard as they were into a cold head wind and the road surface was that rough high friction surface you sometimes get when the council have laid a surface with too many chippings and not enough tarmac. Finally we arrived back at HQ where we met up with Andy, Steve B, Stuart and Paul B. Steve B had been the first one in having dropped the others who came in together. Within the next 15 minutes everyone else arrived safely. This was a tough but excellent ride, my memory had played tricks with me and I only had recollection of the first hill from 2012, I won’t make that mistake again. An excellent well organised event, we will be back next year.

29/3 Early Bird-Guestling Double

Good Turnout Despite The Cold

Taking A Breather After Doleham Halt

Good turnout today despite it being very cold for the time of year . This was only Nick S's second ride with us and also it was good to see Josef back riding with us again. Paul Baxter was late and was half way up Battery Hill as we were descending, so had to quickly turn around and catch us up. This was a brand new 30 miler early bird, 'The Guesting Double'. I wasn't sure what the road surface would be like but I needn't have worried as most of the roads were surprisingly smooth and free of potholes. With it not having rained for a while they were also mainly dry. Nick was nursing a bad hangover having drunk eight pints of crofters bitter (F.I.L.O) from the night before and was hoping the ride would help improve the headache (which only partly worked).This was a nice lumpy route that saved the hardest hills for the end, as it had to finish with the climb up Peter James lane and the last bit of Battery Hill. Myself, Trevor, Paul B and Malc decided to treat ourselves to bacon butties, tea , coffee and cakes in the coast guard cafe at fairlight, putting back all the calories we had just used up!When we came out it was snowing a little. This ride was a nice little warm up for the much harder sportive ride on Sunday (Tour of the Weald) when it is going to be even colder!!!Lets hope that now we are entering April things must surely begin to warm up?

Weds Chaingang 27/3- The South Cliff Slog

Duncan Coulter Rides His Second Chaingang

With Chris "ChainGang" Watson unavailable, Steve was forced to scrape the barrel for a CG report so here briefly is my view of the action.

Most aggressive rider Simon N once again set the pace initially going out to Pevensey,  with Malcolm behind on fixed and the rest of the group strung out behind.

The South Cliff Slog formed a smaller group as Malcolm raced up the slope on his steel fixie, forcing those riders not quite prepared off the back. From there on out Stuart D and I took turns on the front out to Spooky Hill, Stuart riding strongly into a wind that seemed to change direction often, never being helpful.

On the descent of Spooky I took to the front and went as fast as my little legs would allow, continuing until a K or so from the finish, where I promptly blew up and was immediately passed by the bunch and spit out the back. From my distant vantage point I saw the group wind up for the sprint, Stuart Hodd looking strong, but couldn't see who pipped it, sorry!

Reaching Pevensey I took the route through Wartling home, so missed the return action, see you all next week.

Matt

PS- Tadros Alert Tadros Alert Tadros Alert Tadros Alert Tadros Alert Tadros Alert Tadros Alert
Pete Intends to do the chaingang next Wednesfield and intends to record it on Starva !!!!

Liege -Bastogne - Liege Sportive?

 Simon Grogan writes "  I have been looking into doing one of the Spring Classics challenges but went off line for a week and now its getting a bit late especially for the Paris-Roubaix. I would go with Trevor but I do want to enter the challenge (sportive event) the day before the race  and now all the shuttles are fully booked,  so maybe next year on that one. 
Looking around I found the Cyclosport review of Liege-Bastogne-Liege ,its well worth a look. It's the day before the race proper, 20th April, with most of the riders entering on the day. Entry is 20 euros for the 80k ride, 25 for 155k and 30 for the full 270k.There are 5 feed stations,  free insurance, tee-shirt and a kiss from the Mayor or was that a mare? 270k is a bit of a monster but the others are not bad.The fare from Dover is about £85 per car and its 2hr from Dunkirk to Liege. Am not asking for conscripts but just putting it out there,  cheers Simon G."

http://sport.be.msn.com/lblcyclo/2013/eng/

HSCC Time Trial Series And Close Of Season For The Weds Chaingang

Hi All
Chris Parker has asked me to remind everyone that Wednesday 24th April will be the last HSCC Wednesday Chaingang of the current season. We switch to the HSCC Wednesday time trial season instead.

The Friday Chaingang continues until the end of May.

Please see details of the time trial season below (these have also been placed onto the calendar) . Please note that only members of HSCC or other official cycle clubs are insured to ride the time trials. We hope that  many of our friends from the HSCC Wednesday Chaingang will join us.

Lets hope we have a warm summer this year with some balmy evenings where we can all enjoy a post TT pint in the beer garden!

The HSCC Wednesday Chaingang starts up again on August 28th.


DATE COURSE CODE MEET START

Wed 1 May Broad Oak circuit (8) QS/19 1830 1900
Wed 8 May Broad Oak circuit (8) QS/19 1830 1900
Wed 15 May Ninfield circuit (14) GS/883 1830 1900
Wed 22 May Ninfield circuit (14) GS/883 1830 1900
Wed 29 May Ninfield circuit (14) GS/883 1830 1900
Wed 5 June Ninfield circuit (14) GS/883 1830 1900
Wed 12 June Hastings - Rye - Hastings (18) QS/27 1900 1930 late
Wed 19 June Hastings - Rye - Hastings (18) QS/27 1900 1930 late
Wed 26 June Hastings - Rye - Hastings (18) QS/27 1900 1930 late
Wed 3 July Pevensey 10 G10/83 1900 1930 late
Wed 10 July Pevensey 10 G10/83 1900 1930 late
Wed 17 July Ninfield circuit (14) GS/883 1830 1900
Wed 24 July Ninfield circuit (14) GS/883 1830 1900
Wed 31 July   Ninfield circuit (14) GS/883 1830 1900
Wed 7 August Broad Oak circuit (8) QS/19 1830 1900
Wed 14 August Broad Oak circuit (8) QS/19 1830 1900
Wed 21 August Broad Oak circuit (8) QS/19 1815 1845 early
Sun 20 October Battery Hill - hill climb QHC/16 0900 0930


The Club’s Points Trophy is based on the events listed above.  Points are awarded to first claim members for each event as follows:
1st = 12 points, 2nd = 10 pts, 3rd = 9 pts etc.   11th and all finishers = 1 point.

Junior and women's (J/W) competitions (subject to revision if too few members / rides):
1st = 6 points, 2nd = 4 pts, 3rd = 3pts, 4th = 2 pts, 5th and all finishers = 1 point

The winner of the series is the rider with the highest score from their ten (*) best scoring events.
In the event of a tie on points the outcome of all head to head contests shall decide the placings.
(*)  Riders are required to timekeep or marshal at least one event, otherwise a maximum of 9 count.

ENTRY FEES:  All riders must be members of a club affiliated to Cycling Time Trials (CTT).

Senior riders (H&StL plus private TTs):  £3.00 Hill climb:  £2.00     Junior riders:  £1.00


COURSE CODE Car Parking (if you must!) / Meeting Place

Broad Oak circuit (8) QS/19 North of Broad Oak crossroads, Oakfield Close
Ninfield circuit (14) GS/883 Downs View off Church Lane, Ninfield
Hastings - Rye - Hastings (18) QS/27 Nr. Hillcrest School in Old Winchelsea Road
Pevensey 10 G10/83 Lane by west gate of Pevensey castle (Rovers meet)
Ivychurch 10 Q10/8 Newchurch Village Hall
Battery Hill - hill climb QHC/16 Country Park car park by Fairlight Church or V. Hall

Final Score: Potholes - 2, Chaingang - 13. March 20

Fifteen riders, two degrees above freezing.  Those that rode in Hardriders on Sunday seemed to be on form and nice to see return of some regulars we haven't seen in a while, among them Shaun, Nathan R and Paul H-H with a new job road testing a flash german carbon bike for a website. Unpadded carbon fiber saddle has added bonus of a free pound of raw mince with every long ride. In fact the exotica arms race just got hotter as Barney unveiled  his new racebike; 6.2 kg with the good wheels on, shaking it down for upcoming Tour of Malta. If this keeps up I'll have to consider putting my 9.5 kg  1970s steel winter bike out to pasture or on a diet, could lose the comfy brooks saddle for 600g for starters, but then again, as the Great Boffo himself always said,

 "Remember, its the man not the machine"

so maybe I'll keep training and crashing into ditches on old clunkers and save the race bike for best, tho' it could stand lose a kilo or two as well.

Simon N punctured first on Herbrand walk, lots of  stray pebbles and pot holes along here, then Stuart Hodd, while ripping along in the lead. Otherwise a lively enjoyable ride, large-ish front group with Nathan R riding strong on the front but enough room for a bit of tactical fun for the rest of us.

All the best to our Time Trial team this Sat in the Southborough "10" and to Tom Norris riding the 200km "Men of Kent" Audax on Sunday.

Chris Watson

Blog Reaches New Heights!

Our blog goes from strength to strength. For the first time that I have seen, we have gone over 700 weekly page views. looking at the all time chart you can see the upward growth of our readership (the profile is looking like that of K2!). Great to see contributions from new blog authors such as Dave HH, Chris C, Simon G and most of all from the gifted pen of Trevor Deeble! keep the reports coming lads. If anyone else wants to be considered for access  to the blog as a blog author, send an email to Steve Curtis.

The Grand Depart

17 MARCH 2013. THE GRAND DEPART.

Jean Bobet, brother of the great Louison (first to win three consecutive Tours), once remarked ‘One is not a real bike racer until one has pinned a number on’.

Alpe d’Huez, Champs-Elysees, Mont Ventoux. Names that strike fear and magic into the hearts of riders and racers all over the world. Most will never know what the Grand Depart feels like. Fewer still the sensation of a kiss on both cheeks by yellow clad girls, champagne, bouquets or stuffed lions.  

Bodle St. Green. A Village hall on a cold and drizzly Sunday morning. A trestle table festooned with lists of names beside numbers and pins. Tea and cakes served from a hatch in chipped cups and serviettes.

“Number 73 Mr. Deeble? I’ve been told to tell you there’s a jersey for you on the chair in the corner.” I’d forgotten about the jersey. Sign the list. Illuminous number. Team colours for the first time. Zipped up. Pinned on.

Outside the usually quiet country lane is bustling with lycra clad figures. The rumble and roar of carbon fibre machines and their men whirring into action, like great sleeping monsters awaking from hibernation. Men on rolling roads in the back of builders vans, sipping energy drinks. Shaven legs and wizard-like pointy helmets. The subtle scent of espresso coffee and anticipation.

I’ve christened by bike Giulia, after Fausto Coppi’s famous and controversial mistress. And a mistress to me she is. My machine is a Bianchi, the team Coppi raced for, and means ‘white’ in Italian. His mistress was nicknamed ‘The White Lady’ due to her appearing amid the peasant-lined steep slopes of the Tour in a gregarious white fur coat to the outrage of Italian society.      

I copy the others warming up, shuttling up and down in the area surrounding the normally sleepy white weatherboard village pub, beside the church and red telephone box. 11.13am I am to make my Grand Depart, not just in today’s time trial, but into the fully-fledged world of bicycle racing. I take my place in the starting queue.

Like so many who have come before me; Anquetil, Merckx, Bobet, Coppi, Simpson, Pantani, Armstrong, Wiggins, I’m sure none will ever forget their first countdown.

“30” calls a man in a high-visibility coat, clipboard and stopwatch in hand. I Clip in. Turn my pedals to ten and two. Check my gear. Don’t fall over at the start. Whatever you do, do not fall over at the start. Eyes fixed where the road falls away ahead of me. Visualising going over the edge, over the top. I glance at my arm where I’ve written in marker pen the distances to each turn.   

“15, ready?” I reach around to check my number. It’s there. It’s there.   

“5,4,3,2…” Eternity. No more sound, besides the steady thump of my heart, like a racehorse kicking against the traps. 

“1. Off you go, good luck.”

      The mind is subservient to the body. The tender orb that masquerades as master is no match for the will of flesh, blood and muscle. All the tension, the anxiety, the feverous churning over and over of what could go wrong are silenced by the inexorable desires of heart and lungs.

      There’s a strong and blustery south-south-easterly wind. I tuck in and imagine I’m riding in the slipstream of a rushing peloton. Elbows in. Knees grazing the cross bar. A light rain is falling. I’m racing. In pursuit of the man in front, waiting for the distant thunderous rumble of the machine behind.

First rise summitted, onto the first main drag. My slight, grimpeur figure lacks the raw power of the big men. The ones who turn great dinner-plate size gears like steam engines. The course has the famous ‘Agony Hill’ later on, this is where I’ll make up time. Be patient. Don’t waste my legs. My minute-man and team-mate appears, however not due to my catching him, but a broken jockey wheel. Black Aero-suit, bike and pointy hat, languishing in a hedgerow edging a ploughed field, looking like a crash-landed spaceman. I ask if he needs help. Despite the long painful hours of winter training, hundreds of miles in preparation for this moment, any cyclist worth his salt would stop to help a fellow racer ahead of his competitive ambitions. He waves me on.

      A rip and a roar and I’m passed at high speed. Patience Giulia. Patience. Left-turn and onto my favoured section. Steep hills give with one hand take with the other. They shelter you from the wind yet grow and grow as you reach the summit. Agony Hill. Maybe it’s the adrenaline, maybe the scientific mixture of tri-carbohydrate energy drink, coffee and Snickers bar, but the hill barely registers. Don’t blow up. But the agony never comes. I should have pushed harder. I make up some ground on the man in front, reeling him into touching distance by the turn home.

Back out onto the open road I try to stay in contact with him, but he steadily pulls away. The fastest decent is approaching. Chatter in the village hall before the race described a pair of potholes on a blind bend at the fastest point. Two trenches with a narrow bridge in between. Some say they didn’t risk it at full speed, some say it’s ‘pretty hairy’. There’s no question I’m going for it. It’s just you and me Giulia. Turning my biggest gear as I make the transition, still tucked I see the holes and punch through them, tightrope walking the precarious strip of tarmac at top-speed. I let out a little cowboy ‘high-ya’.

     Not far now. I wanted to hold off the man who would be winner and final starter until Three-Cups Corner, the top of the course and the final turn before the long drag home. He hasn’t passed yet. Head down. I’m thinking of my wife who is at the finish, not in yellow, but ready to kiss me nonetheless and how sweet it will feel. I’m riding towards her, as fast as I can.

Rumble and tear, I’m passed but some time later than I’d imagined, my time must be ok. Legs screaming, lungs burning, but it is a pleasurable feeling. One of rhythm and purpose. Poetic simplicity. No more holding back. Pull the plug and let it all out. Maybe it’s the lack of oxygen to the brain, maybe the morphine-like endorphins, but what cyclists refer to as la volupté, the ascent to a state of grace, of feeling light as air and strong as an ox, at one with the bike, the road, the universe, was tantalisingly close. I don’t think I drank of that nectar today, but I tasted it.

Chequered flag. My wife is at the line. She tells me now that I let out a roar as I crossed the line but I have no recollection whatsoever of this. I hang my head in relief, and reach around to feel for my number, it’s still there, it was there all along. I turn and meet my wife. She throws her arms around me and kisses my mud and oil splattered face.

Back at the village hall the riders have assembled around a slightly incongruous projector screen and exchange their numbers for a cup of tea and cake and watch the times come in. A couple of the star-riders give me a subtle acknowledging nod as I remove my shoes. ‘NO CLEATED SHOES IN THE HALL!’

I’ve come 29^th out of 80 starters, one minute behind our club’s fastest rider, and 20^th overall on the hill climb. I’m satisfied with my performance, but the racer in me already wants more. Tommy Simpson in his autobiography describes how as a racer even when he lost he was convinced he was the best rider on the course. Even if he pulled out and was swept up by the the Voiture Balai, the broom car at the back of the Tour de France caravan that collects up the broken and beaten souls for the ride of shame and immediate disqualification from the Tour, he was still convinced he was the best rider out there. I know how he feels.

The prizes are awarded to the winners to lacklustre applause, like a golf crowd obligingly acknowledging a double-bogey, hands otherwise occupied by slabs of cake. The biggest reception coming for Lillian and Sue, the bakers. The riders slowly disperse. My wife and I return to our van, load Giulia in the back as the rain starts to fall heavily. I think we’re the last to leave the village to sleep.

I am a bicycle racer.     

Trevor Deeble

  

  

 

 

       

ESCA Hard Riders

A few pictures from today although I was unable to get everyone.

Friday Night Chain Gang

It was with trepidation that I set off for my first Friday night chain gang, ascending Old London Rd and up Fairlight to join the chain. The wind buffeting my ears, the trees' feet still coated in snow, dancing and bending double, squally sheets of rain lashing my reddening face. Perfect English cycling weather.

The swashbuckling, hardened road men I've heard tale of, ready to endure pain and suffering for glory and grace on two wheels, amongst whom I aspire to take a place, would soon be emerging from the darkness. As I rounded the corner and approached my arrivée en altitude, the inky curtain slowly drew to reveal but a single link. Steve Butcher, waiting cold and alone by a weather beaten A-board. Half past the hour came and went, and no further lights appeared, so a chain of two set off into the night.

We took it steady down battery hill, gusting winds manhandling us from side to side. Then, as we turned onto Pett Level it were as if Aeolus himself (Greek god of wind) was rewarding two intrepid spirits and honoured us with a tremendous tail-wind. Light of sock we were riding on air and arrived in Winchelsea in record time (see Strava). I remarked to Steve 'We're going to pay for that. You can't have that much joy on a bike and not pay for it.' And pay for it we would.

Young Coppi-He Would Approve

Avoiding the sea road in favour for staying a little inland, as we turned the corner at Rye and headed for Udimore Hill it seemed that we'd outstayed our welcome in the lap of the gods, as his full fury was unleashed. Sharing the lead, cutting a single lonely echelon against what was now a vicious side wind, Steve peeled off home at Brede. Thanking each other for the ride, our small but defiant chain was broken and alone into the night I headed for home.

With my front light flickering and sporadically plunging me into complete darkness as I rattled the odd pothole, this wasn't what I'd expected of my first Friday night chain-gang. I thought of everyone safely tucked up at home, gently steaming cups of tea in hand, machines nestled warmly in their sheds and garages. I also thought of young Fausto Coppi speaking of stalactites of ice building up on his handlebars as he crossed the mountains in winter on his way to work at the butchers shop, and upon reaching a snow-lined Stonestile lane, both sheltering and punishing, I can honestly say I enjoyed every turn of the pedals. Perfect English cycling weather.

Trevor Deeble

Seven Riders Brave the Cold Night, Chaingang 13 March

"There was a hint of rain washing away the remaining snow before the allotted meet time but by 7.30pm a very thin crescent of the moon was in a clearing sky on her back two days after new moon.

Malcolm Daly and Simon Newell were beginning to talk ESCA 2 up TT tactics, Stuart Hodd was looking forward to his TT debut in Sunday's ESCA Hard Riders, Andy Bennett was on his second ever gang, Tom Norris and Rover John Cordner had made their way over from Eastbourne and ever present Barny Willard was there In Gear.

Tom Norris is a keen Audax rider and signed up to shortly ride his first 200km event.  Audax are generally a lot cheaper than sportives, lack the goody bag sometimes on offer but can be very good for food.  Have a chat to Tom and e.g. Chris Watson who has ridden some in recent years.  The Holy Grail of Audax riding is to qualify for and ride the Paris - Brest - Paris which is held every fourth year, something former club secretary Peter Baker has done, he still holds some of the club place to place records.

Steve Butcher is doing a serious Audax (?) this summer: London - Edinburgh - London and Mark Corliss is planning his second John o'Groats to Lands End riding some 100 miles a day to do it quicker than his last ride some 20 years ago doing 70 or so miles a day. Several are thinking of doing the Winchester to Eastbourne ride in a day on the South Downs Way, Paul Baxter even thinking of doing the return trip to make it a double!

May be there will be challengers to the three time holder of the Percy Bliss 12 Hour Bowl this year and may be some will start thinking of the East Sussex 24 hour in 2014 ……..

Chris Parker



 " It was a good ride, on the return leg the whole group stayed together back to Bexhill, which was the first time for me that I have managed to hang on to the fast boys’ wheels all the way back.  Got dropped early on the way out though!

RE:  Audax, not my first 200, I have done a few before but first of the year certainly.  Happy to discuss Audax with anyone interested and I can prepare a list of rides in our area for the coming year if you think that would be of interest.


Tom Norris

Annual Prize Presentation Feb 2013

Hastings and St. Leonards Cycling Club's  impressive array of trophies were on display at the recent prize presentation for the 2012 season held in the Old Town's Cinque Ports Arms. Stand out season long improving performers were Malcolm Daly and Joe Jenner.

Joe Jenner- Junior Best All Rounder

Jenner picked up the Junior Best All Rounder trophy and Ron Powell Fastest Junior 10 shield. The Junior BAR is for the best average of the speeds for the best two 10 and best two 25 mile time trials. Jenner's best 10 (23.34) for the Ron Powell shield was his first time quicker than 25 mph  and just one day before winning the trophy for the fastest Hastings rider in September's East Sussex CA 25 with a PB of 1:00:37, which puts him within touching distance of joining the elite riders that break the hour, something no Hastings junior has done since Chris Kitchenham's record setting rides twenty years ago.

Daly picked up the Senior Best All Rounder Trophy for the best average of the speeds for his fastest 25, 50 and 100 mile time trials and also the Ken Apps Cycles Trophy for winning the club's time trial series. Daly also went quicker than 25mph  for the first time in a 10 time trial (23.43) and was less than a minute away (1:00:55) from joining the elite band of sub hour 25 mile riders.

Malcolm Daly- Senior Best All Rounder

Chris Watson- HRH Trophy And Grimpeur's Cup

Marc Townsend won the fastest 10 (21.57) and fastest 25 (56:09) trophies but will be racing for Eastbourne Rovers in 2013. Paul Holdaway had the fastest 50 (1:56:31) and his father Lee Holdaway the fastest 100 (4:37:35). Chris Watson won the Hastings-Rye-Hastings Trophy and the Grimpeur's Cup for the fastest ascent of Battery Hill.

Daly, Watson and multiple trophy winner in recent years Ivan Johnson lead a team of 19 senior riders in Sunday's East Sussex CA Hard Riders 15.1 mile TT, first rider off at 10:01 from Boddle Street Green just north of Windmill Hill. Jenner leads a team of 4 Juniors, making Hastings the best represented club with a team of 23 in a field of 80 riders.



Chris Parker

Ride on the snow storm, Mon 11th 2013

Westhill                                Sluice Lane "Spooky Hill" Snowdrifts                                      Home

Last night I thought I'd see if I could ride in the snow, not having much experience, I figured the fresh powder might be worth a try before slush and ice set in later.  My mtb has fat 2.25 inch tyres, but four inches of snow in my street meant I couldn't get moving or get any grip at all. The back wheel just spun freely, even sitting on the saddle I just spun and fell over much to the amusement of some passers by trudging along the pavement "You're crazy" Falling on soft snow isn't so bad so I let some more air out of the tyres - about 25 psi and tried again. This time the back tyre began to bite so off I wobbled gingerly in a low gear to see how far I could go.  Round the first corner a lad on a mountain bike was heading the other way, pedalling along the road confidently - I thought if he can do it so can I. This was after 8pm in the evening, snow still  falling steadily and wind blowing a gale, 

Took a while to get used to riding with a squirrelly "live" rear wheel. Too much steering or  braking could result in a spill so  I looked for empty marshmallow  roads to practice on -  didn't fancy meeting any traffic.  I wasn't sure if I  would be able to get a grip climbing  steep hills in the conditions so thought I'd head for the seafront cycle path -  descending a powdery hill sitting on crossbar, speedway style, one foot down, steering and braking with rear brake only was great fun, like being nine years old and hanging tail out skids  in the park.

Westbound cars and coaches were backed up along the seafront and hardly moving at all as I crunched and popped across the white  covered cyclepath, letting bike find its own way across fresh powder hiding uneven icy crusts  and ploughing through shallow drifts, feeling more confident and gathering straight line speed with the North Easterly gale at my back.

Occasionally front wheel would snag in a deep snowdrift and I'd almost come off, right foot unclipped and ready to dab down in a spill. After a while the pedal filled up with ice so couldn't clip in fully but wasn't a problem. Heading for the coastal cycle path along Bulverhythe met a cyclist trudging into the gale pushing his hybrid through a deep drift by the beach huts. He didn't hear me ask how was the path further ahead, numb to the world or plugged into headphones. The Coastal path was rideable, despite some deeper drifts along more exposed sections. I passed a walker climbing Galley hill and descended quickly, foot down like an ungainly tripod sledge.  Gaining confidence & momentum I fizzed past a lone car crawling  along Bexhill front on smooth white hard packed road, other than that I had the whole road pretty much to myself, and could pick whatever line I chose. Maybe I'll make it all the way to Pevensey? Along Cooden Beach a slowly approaching Land Rover flashed his lights and warned me " Watch out for the snow drifts"  thanks I said not backing off and  eager to press on. Full steam ahead for Spooky Hill and changed down on the steep bit to keep traction. Across the top the wind was strong and the North side of the road was just a big drift, with fingers crossing the whole road, I could keep left and still smash through, however  the descent  brought bigger drifts and finally I lost control and crashed in a big snowdrift that hid the fence  on one side of the road ! Landing in a soft pillow of snow was fun, but the gale was rising and the snow stung my face as I picked the bike up,  I  thought time to turn back, lucky the bike was OK.  So a fairly uneventful slog back, dismounted twice to stand in a drift to let  a council 4 x 4 and later a grit lorry pass in the other direction. Retracing my steps the snow had already covered most of my tracks. Back in Hastings and slogging along the seafront on the crunchy cycle path I saw a lady on a Brompton riding on the road, the back of the static queue of cars leaving town had now reached St. Leonards, so I hopped on the road where it was easier going. Thru' town centre was now horrible slush, glad to turn off for West hill, climbing a quiet street in four inches of powder. Next morning  I heard on the radio how many main roads were closed, blocked by accidents or abandoned cars, and hundreds of people were stranded over night, yet I managed 22 miles in 2 and a half hours without too much trouble;  fat tyre mtbs - transport solution?

Red Kite Day - Sussex Puncheur Sportive, Sunday 10th March

Simon Grogan writes "Ditchling sports ground was HQ for the Sussex Puncheur Sportive. Friendly and relaxed organisers, free food before, mid-ride and after as well, marked route and no rain. All the right ingredients, the rest was up to me.

Red Kite by Thomas Kraft

You set off when you wanted after getting your timing chip scanned. The times were gold for sub 4hr, silver sub 4hr 30 and bronze for sub 5hr, for the 66 mile course finishing with a steep climb up Ditchling Beacon. I rode with three Eastbourn Rovers lads, Dave, Adam and Sam who were going for a gold time having got silver last year in filthy weather. After about 20 miles I got stomach cramps (first time ever) and not feeling too good got dropped in Ashdown Forest. Kept going and had pretty much recovered by the time I got to the feed station. The other lads were still there so I grabbed a quick snack and carried on with them feeling much better.
The days highlight came at Barcombe with a Red Kite gliding over us, my first in Sussex a beautiful sight and one I think will become more common. Back to the riding, the pace was fairly brisk, Sam got dropped then I went out the back with about 8 miles to go. Got to the bottom of Ditchling Beacon feeling tired but not fazed by the climb thanks to the Friday night chain-gang and Stonestile Lane finishes. Got to the top and had my timing chip scanned and was given my time on a print-out, 3hrs 58m so scraped a gold time with two minutes to spare. Finished the morning off back at HQ with free pasta and drinks. An interesting course and one I would recommend, I hope to do it again."

Stravaigin* with the Hastings chaingang

 Ivan, Simon N, Steve D, Paul B.Good to see return of longtime club time trial champion and fixed gear hardman Ivan. When I joined Hastings CC about six years ago, the chaingang was basically us drafting Ivan on his winter bike - a hardtail off roader, powering big noisy dirt tyres across the tarmac like some relentless diesel express. Next to Simon N on his Roberts training bike is Steve D with a stealthy new carbon blade. Our Eastbourne contingent were missing due to foul weather over there, but Rover Kevin was over and Dave H-H fresh from his Andalucian Mountain bike stage race.

Trevor, Matt, Simon

Easterly wind chased away spits of rain and slung a bunch of seventeen along shingle and across marsh in pursuit of Matt R.  Monstering up South Cliff and dropping all of us bar Nathan F, who strava'd "Pain and Blindness" and Barney "the Quick and the Dread"! Matt's on fire.
Stuart H, Trevor and I gave chase - working well together taking short spells and keeping momentum up - felt like we were closing but couldn't get across in the last.
Way back was a bigger bunch, with some good efforts by all. I think I spotted one or two new faces - or maybe old friends in new kit? Sorry if I didn't say hello, was out of breath at both stops!

Nathan F, Matt R, Barney, Simon N, Trevor

Stravaigin* - an old Scots word - Matt R's tortuous allover route from yesterday pretty much defines it! 

March 3- Club Ride:Hard Riders Reconnaissance

Welcome To The Club Nick

About To Join The Hard Riders Route

With the hard Riders TT only two weeks away, we thought it would be a good idea to show newbies the route of the Hard riders Time Trial and to remind everyone else of just how hard it really is. To make a 50 mile ride of it, we took a twisty roundabout route through Battle, Catsfield,and Hooe before finally arriving on the route itself, at the top of Boreham street.With us on only his second club ride was Trevor Deeble. Also with us was totally new rider  to the club,Nick Sargant . Nick got in touch with us a few weeks ago, and having seen his stats on Strava it looked like he would be able to keep up. This proved to be very much correct as Nick was significantly faster than both myself and Steve D. Once we got to the start of agony hill, things really heated up and we broke up into two groups: the faster riders (Simon G, Trevor, Barney, Chris C) and the slower ones (myself, Steve D, Andy C and Nick). Andy was getting dropped further and further back so decided to complete the ride at his own pace. That left the three of us in the back group to try to catch up with the fast group but as it was we were well behind and didn't see them again until the official start at Bodle street green where they were waiting for us. On reaching the A271 we split up into two groups again with myself, Barney, Trevor and Nick determined to complete the route while the others took the shorter more direct route back on the main road. A short while later Barney started to get the 'knock' really bad ,those high miles in cold weather finally catching up with him, but a couple of snack bars dug out of jersey pockets soon put him right. One reaching Rickney with the end of the ride in sight we were disappointed to find ourselves riding into a strong bitingly cold head wind. This made the last 13 miles really hard going and I was grateful to hide behind either Trevor or Nick's real wheel for much of the last ten miles. By coincidence we bumped into Simon N and Stuart about to set off from Stuart's house for the Hard riders circuit, they looked a bit wary when they saw the knackered state we were in. Apparently the wind is going to turn around to the South West next week, thank goodness.

Andalacia MTB Stage race-Day 6

Stage 6 ;

The last day was supposed to be a 30km time trial but as the previous day's stage was cancelled the organizers decided to run a normal stage but only 50kms instead of the normall 70-80km.

Having not ridden due to the mechanical on Wednesday and the cancelled stage on Thursday, my legs for once were feeling quite fresh and as were knew it was going to be a comparatively short stage so we both started as fast as we could. This was really great  as we were riding together with a lot more teams instead of trailing along with the stragglers.

Stage Winners

After about 10km we went through an Olive tree plantation and the mud just stuck to everything and nobodies wheels would turn. Virtually every body scrambled en mass up onto a railway line running parallel to the Olive tree field. This did not go well either as the stones which the railway tracks were laid on just stuck to the mud and jammed the wheels even more than just the mud.

Once we got past these hindrances we climbed up past the snow line. The tracks were pretty muddy after all the rain and snow from yesterday and we did an awful lot of pushing our bikes up up up. The course today basically went up one very big hill and back down again. The down hill had a lot of slippery muddy rocky tracks to start with but later we had some lovely fast singletracks and only a couple of rivers to wade through. We finished further up the field than on previous days which was good.

David

Andalacia MTB Stage race-Day 5

Stage 5: Cancelled.

We woke up on the Thursday to heavy rain and about 3C.

The Rain In Spain Doesn't Always Fall On The Plain! 

We drove to the start not relishing 6-7 hours in the wet, in fact we were not even sure if we would start as neither of us came here to catch pneumonia.

So we were not exactly disappointed when the organisers decided the weather was too bad

Dave HH

Friday Chain Gang 2 March- Barney Shows The Way

Great Fun Having Simon N And Barney Out With Us

Stonestile leaderboard (Top 17)

Another cold but dry night for the Friday Chain Gang. Fantastic to see that Simon Newell was there on 'old pinky' (his first Friday  this season) and also Barney was there on his first ever . Just as we were about to leave another very bright front light approached, it was a rare but welcome appearance from Josef who we haven't seen much of this season. This made a group of eight riders which is a great turnout . I had warned Barney how dangerous it was descending Battery Hill in the dark with the poor condition of the road. As he hit another little pothole he was thinking to himself 'I hope my front light doesn't fly off' when almost exactly at the moment mine did just that and proceeded to roll down the hill. having pulled over ,I told Barney to go ahead and tell the others I would  catch  up. On cycling back up to retrieve the light there was car coming down the hill straight towards where my it lay, luckily as the car drove over it , the light went between the  wheels and my light emerged unscathed. I caught up with he others at the nature reserve. On the long drag up to Broad Oak the front pack lead by Simon, Malcolm and Simon N just managed to drop Simon G before the end with the rest of us spread out on the hill. Despite the temperature being only 3 degrees it felt warm and I was able to ditch the woolly gloves and ride with fingerless gloves which gives much more feedback from the controls, I guess we must have acclimatised to the cold? The local council have been busy and have done a great job of fixing the big potholes (that Jon and I reported) on the approach to Stonestile lane . The smoother approach gave us a bit more energy for the climb and we all felt good. Despite this being Barney's first time on the route, he managed to better the experienced  Malcolm and got to the top first with an impressive fifth fastest ascent of all time on strava (our very own Matt Reynolds is second, that that would make a good scalp for barney to aim for?). Both myself and Jon felt really good compared to the last time we rode a Friday and for me it was a PB on Stonestile with the twentieth fastest strava ascent of all time (LOL). It was great fun to have Simon N, Barny and Josef with us, hopefully they will come more often