23/11 HSLCC Club Ride- Wittersham Wet Lives Up To The Name

With such terrible weather forecast I wasn't expecting more than a few riders to turn up and so was delighted that I was joined by six other masochists. I had pre-warned everyone to bring wet weather gear  and so was flabbergasted to see  Tom arrive  in just a summer short sleeve top, no tights and worse of all no waterproof! Steve D was his normal impatient self and wanted to get off bang on 8:00 rather than waiting for the customary departure time of 8:10. In the end we couldn't get off until 8;20 as John S had phoned to say he had had to fix a puncture but was on his way.

We ignored our Garmins and headed  directly for Appledore via Pett and Rye. So far the promised rain had not arrived, so to avoid overheating we had all taken our jackets off. Ivan and Malc seemed to be content to do much of the work on the front on the long ride out to Appledore which was pleasantly easy on what was a windless day.

Our luck with the weather continued all the way to Peasmarsh where there was a moment to take a photo, eat a snack bar and take a pee.

Just past Beckley we came across two large black Labradors running about all over the main road, we guess they must have escaped from the neighbouring house so Malc went over to let the owners know. While this was going on the rain started falling steadily so it was now time for us to pull on the waterproofs. We didn't mind too much as we were just grateful to have got two thirds into the ride without them. We did feel for Tom though in his sopping wet summer kit!

Our last few Moments Of Dry Weather!

As time went on the rain became heavier, so Tom and Adam  decided to leave the route at Cripp's corner and take the shortest route home . Myself and Malc bid them farewell and wished Adam good luck as his wife is now two days overdue for the birth of their second child. The others had got ahead of us and were far off in the distance. It was too wet to push the pace on the main roads down to Sedlescombe , so we weren't sure if we would see them again.

Now began the steady climbing back to Hastings via Westfield and Three Oaks. We were pleased to finally regroup with the others who had waited for us near Pestalozzi .With all  the climbing I felt comfortably warm despite the rain, and must admit that I rather enjoy riding in the wet as long as the roads are safe, to me it makes the ride seem more of an adventure!

At Westfield JV informed us that Rocks lane was closed due to flooding so we decided to do good old Stonestile instead. Unfortunately Malc had already gone ahead believing that we would be going back via Rocks lane. Myself , Ivan and Steve D went after him and caught him up near Three Oaks where a 'road closed' sign had been erected. This meant that we would have to head back via Ivyhouse lane instead. Despite riding down Ivy house lane many times I had never gone up it before. I found it to be a great ride back and one that I will choose more often. Steve D  now broke away from us leaving just myself, Ivan and Malc to arrive at the Ridge.

The three of us headed straight down the old town hoping for a couple of beers at 'The standard' only to be disappointed when we realised it was shut. Never mind , we consoled ourselves with beer and Breakfast in Witherspoons instead!