Patrick had anticipated my obvious question.
Seeing just one ' Fun Chum' was a bit like seeing just one Ronnie for the first time or Mr Wise without Mr Morecombe ; Oh, the pathos.
'He's in New York '
' So are you 'Skping'?, I asked
' Nope '
' Facetiming? '
' Nope '
' We're having a clean break '
I suppose being ' Fun Chums ' is maybe not all it's cracked up to be, but I must admit I do like a man with a good SOH (or woman - more about this later.)
07:47 Normans Bay crossing
On leaving my house I was met by Tom who had arrived early and had been to look at the sea while he was waiting.
Gathered at the crossing were: Nick, Gary and Simon Tyler , whom despite following and exchanging pleasantries on Strava, I had never actually met before. I very quickly noticed that his bike was a bit extraordinary - matt black finish, gold components and made of steel.
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| The Baron finally gets to meet Simon T |
He then gave a brief overview, explaining that it was hand made in America and pointing out some of the main features.
' So what about the socks then? '
It amazes me that you would accompany the 'coolest' looking bike on the planet with a pair of hooped pink socks - a bit like Johnny Depp wearing socks and sandals! - still, who am I to criticise? ; I forfeited this right when I started wearing Oakley Racing Jacket 'shades'.
Just as we were about to leave Steve D appeared.
'I thought I would try to be sociable and come out with you lot '.
He does his best but I don't think he finds it easy - still it's nice that he's making an effort and I'm always pleased to see him.
We 'rocketed' up Sluice Lane and I must admit I was feeling a bit uncomfortable with the pace ; the trouble with leaving from my house is that I don't get much of a warm up and I was pleased when we encountered the road works at Pevensey. I did discover that I wasn't the only one and afterwards we resumed at a reduced pace. Whilst waiting for the lights to change Nick spotted Simon's gold chain.
'Shouldn't you be wearing that around your neck? '
Quite amusing that.
Myself and Nick shared most of the lead until at the start of the climb up Beachy, Tom, who had been having a late breakfast at the back and feeling well rested wiped a crumb of muesli off his chin and eased himself past to catch Nick and they then had a private KOM battle to the top - apologies if I've got this wrong but I think Tom took top honours.
I was pleased to come in third and on passing Steve D couldn't resist a sarcastic:
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| Another successful ascent of Beachy |
I know it's the lowest form of wit, but sometimes it just feels good.
On the way back we got a bit spread out going through the Pevensey road works ; I showed my superior local knowledge by bypassing them along the foot path - Gary seized the moment and followed my lead. We were feeling a cross between smugness and guilt as we entered Sluice Lane, but we needn't have worried because Nick, Tom and Simon caught us up (not sure what happened to Steve), we 'stormed it' back to Di Paolos, taking turns on the front. Along Cooden Drive Nick 'cracked' :
'I'm fading now', he gasped.
He had shown a lot of grit by taking more than his fair share on the front and had 'buried' himself chasing after us after our shortcut.
Simon and Tom got to the lights a fraction ahead of me. I checked my Garmin: 18.5 mph Avg speed ; including Beachy, not too bad.
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| The colonel washes down another breakfast |
Chris P did his best to determine who was doing what ride, but there was a definite air of anarchy as we set off. I love the 'Classico' route, but I think some people are concerned about taking their new bikes down Horsewalk - understandably so. (As it transpired only Tom, Sue 'nice, but slightly scary' Landy and Finlay (or Fabian, sorry I still get confused) accompanied me.)
I was feeling strong and arrived in third place on Boreham Hill (yes. yes I know it's not a race, but let's face it we're all a bit competitive) after that we split into 'classico' and 'non-classico' groups.
Tom and I were at the front over the marshes and had great fun playing 'cat and mouse' and imagined we were at the velodrome. Everytime Tom made a break I caught him up quickly and goaded him with calls of :
'Is that the best you can do? '
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| Nearly time to go. |
At a Chilley we played a game where I was ' it', Tom and Sue, ganged up on me.
Mid cheese and marmite scone (yuk!) she turned on me after I had made a very innocent comment
' Don't you ever stop moaning?, all you ever do is moan! '
Oh, the injustice and the hurt.
' Well, really! This is the first time we've even had a conversation '
' Yes, but even when I'm at the back and you're up ahead all I hear us moan, moan, moan! '
Tom joined in :
' Yeah, you do moan a lot '
The more I tried to defend myself the more they turned on me.
Sue had one of her paws on my tail and was whacking me with the other one.
Eventually she got bored and let me go and I scurried away under a bush.
' I was only joking' she said, 'you'll soon get used to my sense of humour'
Neil had admitted that he was a bit scared of her when on the way back from Beachy a few weeks ago she had put him in no doubt that she had expected him to wait for her.
' You will wait for me and will not go racing off - do I make myself clear? '
Neil understood perfectly and was waiting in obeyance, head bowed, at the side of the road.
I do wonder what that box is under her saddle?. Just before Boreham Hill she offered to link it up with Patrick's Garmin - he wisely declined or ignored the offer. It has lights that flash in sequences proven to bring on seizures and emits an audible hum. She claims it warns of traffic approaching from behind, but I think there is a lot more to it than that - take my advice don't stare at it for too long.
As always, the Pre BBR followed by the BBR is a great combination - the word is going around and we get good turnouts on both rides.
Peter Buss
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