25/10 HSLCC Fri Ride- Rolling Stones

It was another warm and windy October evening for the weekly Hastings Friday night ride. When I arrived at Fairlight Lodge, Malcom, John Stainsby in his amazing super-reflective Castelli gear, Trevor, John Vidler and Marcus were all chatting. A few moments later Simon Grogan arrived on his Giant, John Stainsby called time and we set off down Battery Hill. Unlike last week, tonight the wind was pushing us firmly in the direction of Rye, and the 7 of us had to descend carefully down to Pett Level. I think it was Trevor, Marcus and John Vidler who made the first break, enjoying the crazy speeds possible with the tailwind, arriving at the gate for the nature reserve road before the rest of us. Much to my surprise Nigel had joined the group, having just missed us leaving but chasing on down Battery Hill after seeing the trail of red lights. Not easy! We were chatting while riding along the narrow nature reserve road when there was a big shout of “Stones!” out front. The shingle had spread across the right-hand side of the road, and with us riding two-a-breast, the rider on the right didn’t have much choice but to ride over it, bouncing and slipping over the pebbles, and hoping for the best. Luckily no one came off, but it was pretty treacherous in patches all the way to the left-hander taking you out of the nature reserve.

On the hill going up to the Udimore Road the pace of the climbing was brutally quick, despite the strong winds. After losing John Vidler’s wheel, I tried to stay with John Stainsby, who was sixth man, but I couldn’t hang on. By the time the road levelled out myself and Simon were left at the back. The wind was ferocious in sections, and we took it in turns to shield each other all the way to Broad Oak, which made it far, far easier. It’s a shame the road resurfacing work hasn’t actually improved the road at all here - there were at least two or three pot holes that were difficult to avoid, and the surface is ridiculously rough.

On the way down to Westfield we split again. Malcolm, Trevor and John Vidler were ahead and were first up Stonestile. John Stainsby peeled off homeward bound. I rode up the hill with Marcus, managing to stay on his wheel until the flatter section where he really piled on the speed. With the summit in sight Simon caught and passed me with some serious momentum, standing up and powering his way to the top. When I arrived the recent finishers looked to be in agony, hunched over the bars and gasping for air. I pulled up and involuntarily did the same. A few moments later Nigel arrived, we all agreed it was a good ride, said some hasty goodbyes and headed home. It was another really good Friday night ride. I’ll certainly be trying to make it whenever I can.

Metin