19 August- HSLCC Early Bird 'Marsh Blast'

Rare But Welcome Appearance From Gary!

Good solid turnout for a weekday early bird with myself, Nigel, Malc D, Malc C and a rare appearance from Gary. Conditions were cold but dry so we were all wearing sleeves which is unusual at this time of year . We had a choice of two routes either Criss Cross (rolling terrain inland) or Marsh Blast ( flat coastal and marsh). With relatively light winds I decided it was just about OK to do the Marsh Blast. Traffic on the ridge was heavy due to rush hour so we avoided it by heading out to the Marsh via Winchelsea , Westfield and Three Oaks. Now came the long barren stretch of the Marsh out to Lydd. It was hard to work out the direction of the wind but it must have been more behind us than in front as we were averaging around 21 mph. I have never been very good at riding a long time on the flat and with Malc C in the best shape of his life, it was me that was struggling at the back trying to take from the others as much wind protection as I could. Approaching Dymchurch, Malc D and Nigel complained of feeling hungry, we would have to stop at a cafe and have a very early bacon butty. Every other shop in Dymchurch seems to be a cafe so we were spoilt for choice but soon found one fitting our station, i.e something akin to 'Sid's Cafe' from only fools and horses. Suitably refreshed we pushed on through the flatlands of the marsh. It was actually a relief to climb up some hills leading up to Aldington where my stiff thigh muscles enjoyed some respite while my calves did more of the work up the gradients. We were now at our furthest point east and were heading back home. Gary was concerned we would have a headwind all the way back but strangely this didn't happen and we were still averaging a good speed.Travelling along the slightly downhill roads past Rucking was my favourite part of the ride and an area Nigel had never explored before. Once at Ham Street  it was back to the endless flat and from here to Appledore I found it tough. Being in one position for so long was giving me a stiff back and thigh muscles, oh how I longed for some rolling terrain where your position on the bike is constantly changing. At last we reached the Appledore road. Although this is a long straight boring section , psychologically  I found it easier to deal with, as once we got to Rye there was the promise of tea and cake.

Malc C Happy To Be In Such Good Form!

The traffic in Rye was horrendous with lorries trying to get through the narrow road and frustrusted motorists stationally pumping out exhaust fumes, a great deal of careful filtering was needed to get through. Gary took us to a cafe hidden from the wind  behind  the tourist information office where the service, coffee ,cakes and ice cream were all excellent (definitely use this one again). Suitably refreshed, the ride from Rye to the foot of battery Hill wasn't too bad. I had been really impressed with Malc C's improved standard of fitness, all those extra miles he has done in preparation for ride London 100 have really paid off, but I still have the edge over him on climbs and managed to drop him  on Battery Hill (although to be fair this was Malc's first ever climb up this legendary hill). Gary was feeling all the miles now and his legs were hurting but superhuman Nigel had no such concerns and yet again he blasted up Battery Hill  setting a new PB only a week after the last one, moving up six places to 42nd of all time!
       Much as I enjoyed the excellent company I must admit that endless flat riding is not my favourite sort of route, perhaps I will use Lee's 'Climbing Coffe And Cake Ride' as a  good excuse to avoid the 'Rye Rotary Ride' the day after?