24/1- Audax Hills And Mills Does Not End Well For Lee

Despite a chilly forecast of just above freezing temperatures and cold winds we had a decent turnout again for the annual 'Hills And Mills' audax, There were 6 HSLCC riders plus two of Derek's tri athlete pals This is a tough 63 mile audax that winds its way through Ashdown forest and takes in the legendary  Kidds hill (the wall).

I was riding my trusty Cannondale CAAD 8 but unfortunately the rim on  my rear mavic open pro had got dangerously thin, so was riding the original and much heavier rear wheel the bike came with. I could feel the difference straight away, the ride definitely felt more sluggish, I was worried that I was going to suffer even more than last year!

For the first five miles while our muscles warmed up , we all rode together. Despite the low air temperature, the lovely sunshine lifted our spirits, maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all?  Gradually we pulled away from Derek's triathlete group and settled into a steady rhythm with myself and John S happy to stay in the others slip stream.

Part of the requirement of audax rides is that to prove you have done the complete route you have to answer certain questions along the way. One of these questions was, 'what material is the door made of'  (not surprisingly it turned out to be wood)?. While the others were pondering this important question I slipped away from them assuming they would soon catch me up. Before long Malc and Tom has set off after me in pursuit and being more daring on a steep decent soon managed to get past me . I managed to stay with them for a few miles as the terrain became increasingly lumpy , but it wasn't long before I was on my own . I didn't mind as I knew JV, Lee and Jon couldn't be far behind. Sure enough JV's group soon reeled me back in but we were not to see Malc or Tom again until the ride was over.

At roughly the half way point we entered the western slope of Kidds hill (the wall). Just like last year we rode half way up its western flank only to be led down a cut through to the bottom of the eastern and steeper side where we had to begin all the climbing again. Having stepped up my training the previous two weeks and having rested my legs all week, I was feeling good and the climb seemed easier to me than ever before although Strava informed me it was only my second best time.

Steve was Well prepared For Kidd's Hill this Time!

From the top of Kidd's hill its mainly downhill riding for the next ten miles and feeling good and being a good stone heavier than any of the others, gravity was on my side and just riding at my own pace I kept dropping the guys, waiting for them to catch me up before riding off again.Despite my replacement wheel being heavy it was giving me a lovely comfortable ride and was bearing up to the potholes admirably , so I made a mental note to stop bidding for any more second-hand wheel bargains on Ebay!

This came to an end when for some reason my gps directed me down a  steep hill on the left while the others kept to the main road and shouted out to me that I was going the wrong way. By the time I got back to the main road they were no where in sight, but I assumed they must have taken the next turn on the left. This lead down a narrow twisty road. As I came round one of the blind bends a shocking sight awaited me . There was lee stood upright holding his arm while Jon was in a deep ditch with JV trying to pull him out. In front of all this was a gleaming red Rolls Royce with a perplexed very elderly gentleman who seemed in shock.

This is what happened!!

Jon And JV felt Lucky To Emerge Unscathed.......

 The guys had come round the blind bend to be confronted by the Rolls Royce in the middle of the road (unavoidable as the road was only wide enough for one vehicle). To avoid hitting the car, lee had no choice but to slam on the anchors. He did manage to avoid striking the car but the subsequent skid caused him to come off and hit the road hard on one side. Meanwhile JV with the benefit of disc brakes (who was behind lee) had managed to get around the Rolls completely unscathed. Jon however was on a direct collision course with Lee and had no choice but to veer right onto a muddy verge. As soon as his front wheel hit the deep mud the whole bike tipped forward and dumped him unceremoniously into a two foot deep ditch with his  feet still attached to the bike.
Miraculously Jon had escaped with nothing more than a few bruises and a damaged mud guard. Lee however was not so lucky and the way he was holding his arm it looked like his wrist had broken.

...but Lee was Not So Fortunate!

A local couple who lived in the house that the rolls owner had been visiting (Conservative party fund raiser event) kindly took us into his home and phoned an ambulance for Lee. While we waited for the ambulance they kept us fed and watered with pate and salmon wafers and cups of tea. The ambulance man confirmed Lee had broken his wrist and that they were taking him to the nearest hospital for an xray.

After wishing lee all the best, thanking the locals for their kindness and arranging to pick up lee's bike later, we set off again. Jon was a bit sore but not too bad, although by now it had got considerably colder and none of us were in the mood for any more chances around the twisty country lanes. The last 15 miles seemed to take as long as the first 45 and it was a relief to reach the end with both my front light and gps flashing warnings about imminent battery death.

Sadly , we heard from Lee the bad news that his wrist was badly broken and would require plates to be fitted in an operation mid week. We all wish Lee a speedy recovery and hope this hasn't put him off the 'joys' of audaxing.

Steve C

Tough Profile! 

Chain Gang Bling Special with guest edits by Gok Wan

We are still getting a good attendance for mid-winter rides in cold weather. It is a source of amusement and bemusement to me that 17 apparently sane people (well, most of them) will turn up for a fast training ride in the cold and dark. But turn up we do!

It’s my birthday soon, so I’ve been purchasing a few pre-birthday treats for my bike, some tasteful accessories with which to make my stylish ride even more beautiful. Tasty morsels of bike-bling arrived in time for the chain gang. Lightweight skewers finished in anodised red, saving 60 grams; a new multi-tool that saves a further 50 grams; and red handlebar bungs and anodised valve caps surely saved a few grams more. Huge weight savings and awesome looks – what’s not to like? I would surely be unstoppable!

So, what do I find at the start but Stuart Buckland’s bike sporting the SAME valve caps as mine! So embarrassing, I mean, he could have called me. The humiliation - it was like turning up to a party in the same frock. Just poor form Stuart. But as we shall see, this callous young man was not in the mood to conform last night.  And what IS that you wear under your helmet anyway?

We decided to ride as one group. That lasted approximately 5 seconds as 8 super-fast riders made off at a rapid lick with the help of a nice following wind. The rest of us were then caught outside the De La Warr by some temporary traffic lights. That breeze was too much for some to handle and one individual (name withheld) went straight through the lights, seemingly unaware of the need to comply with traffic laws. I detect a growing dissident element in the club. First, there were Simon G’s ‘loop rebels’, now this.  Something Must Be Done!

Well, thankfully some sort of order was restored as we rode along Bexhill seafront, two-abreast, at a fair pace. Simon G rode up the outside to signal the need to rotate the front and get the chain gang proper rolling, and so a fluid group of 7 to 9 riders rode with discipline along Cooden Drive and Herbrand, our rhythm interrupted by more traffic than usual, I thought, and by the lights at the level crossing. Thankfully, non-one ignored these particular lights and we were soon on our way again, reforming into a purposeful team. The communication was particularly good and I think this makes all the difference – calling people in at the front, calling last man and generally letting each other know what we are doing.

We rode past the Star Inn along roads that were wetter than I expected, spray splattering my face and ruining my mascara. We grunted up Spooky Hill and down the other side, then went right at the first bend to clearly see a car coming towards us as we headed toward the sharper left bend by the nature reserve. From nowhere came a gentleman on a racing bicycle that had not been with the group earlier, ripping down the outside, making us suddenly three-abreast. There was not time to shout curses, just time to react and make safe, the offending person speeding off the front of the group. As a whole, I do not think we were impressed with his antics but we settled down and pushed on towards the lay-by.

We had warmed up nicely, so no one wanted to hang around to get cold. We turned back promptly for Bexhill, into a gentle but noticeable wind. I was sensible, for once, and didn’t try to stay with the super-fasts, but instead pulled in ahead of Simon G. John V and John M soon joined us, forming a tight and efficient group that rode across the marsh at a good pace into the cold east wind. I think we saw Ivan ahead on the downhill side of Spooky, unusually having dropped off the faster group's pace. We soon hoovered him up into the group and the five of us worked well together all the way back, enjoying a really good group ride.

But as I am in the mood to make comments on style and fashion, I simply must tell you, Ivan, that wearing knee-length ski socks on the outside of your cycling longs is not the done thing – it’s so 2014! This season the well-dressed cyclist is wearing his ski socks inside his longs. Similarly, John V, what ARE you doing in three-quarter length shorts when the temperature is 2 degrees and, more to the point, with hairy legs on show?  Cover up or wax! However, I did approve of Peter B’s tasteful see-through gilet, pulled tight over his rippling torso, accentuating his finely chiselled features and honed abs. He looked heroic in a Burt Lancaster kind of way – dimpled chin, a far away gaze in his twinkling blue eyes as he remembered beating Wiggo up the Col de Madeleine. Peter paid me to say that, but maybe not enough!

At the lights, we had a friendly discussion with Mr B (for it was he) about the merits of overtaking three-abreast into a tight corner with a car coming the other way, and group riding more generally. I think and hope it was taken in the spirit is was intended. As ever, riding with the chain is a great way of improving fitness - working hard down the outside of the group to do a turn at the front - then enjoying less pressure until it’s time to go down the outside again. It works!

Anyhow, upgrading / adding some tat / pimping my ride (delete as applicable) reminded me of my first proper bike, aged 11. It was bright red (good start) but my grandparents, who were funding the purchase, insisted that I have something ‘sensible’ with Sturmey Archer 3-speed gears. So, it came with straight handlebars with white plastic grips with finger-ridges, a red steel chain-guard and mudguards, chromed rims and white tyres, gold pin striping and chrome additions. Nice to look at if your were 75 years old, but not if you want some wannabe racer street-cred. It was the bike my grandfather wanted as a young man but never had! But it was that or nothing, so I was (sort of) grateful.

I immediately planned some tasteful upgrades, to be applied once a safe period had passed and I could argue that ‘the grips have worn out’ or that the ‘mudguards have rusted through’ (the same strategy is still at work…). Fat chance! They were thick enough to armour a tank! Several years passed…  No-one would ride with me, not helped by rear-ending a mate on a ‘proper’ racer (the brakes were crap on my bike) and buckling his rear rim, as it were.

I was limited to one simple but misplaced improvement. I was convinced that the secret of going faster was to oil the chain. Logically, the more oil that was applied the faster I would go. I got through a can of 3 in 1 oil every two months. My Dad was mystified as to where all his oil was going.

So, the first enhancement was obviously a pair of luminous green handlebar grips. The fact that these clashed horribly with the bike’s colour scheme passed me by – they looked fabulous in the shop so would surely look fabulous on the bike. Whilst I was at it, I turned the handlebars through 90 degrees so that I had cow-horn bars. I let this radical change settle. I got away with it so I took off the chain guard, taking a pound of weight off the bike. I got away with this too. Result!

The next big step was to remove the mudguards (with a blow-torch and lifting gear). Opposition was met from an unexpected quarter. My mum was furious as she saw only that this change would generate more washing from wet and muddy clothing. I weathered the storm, scowling and grunting around the house as teenage boys do, fitting a black tyre with a knobblier tread paid for with money earned from gardening jobs.

I rode my now pretty cool looking bike for miles, visiting friends in the villages around Cheltenham, nipping into town, spending the day exploring country lanes. I fitted a milometer that attached behind the washer on the front axle, the miles measured as a pin on the spokes knocked a little wheel on the side of the unit. I don’t suppose it was very accurate, but it was the Garmin of its day, only a lot cheaper and frankly, with hindsight, crap. Dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink every wheel revolution... Arrrgh! Worse than Tom's bottom-bracket or John M's squeeky whatevers!

The look of the bike was transformed into a mean, clean cycling machine - oh yeeeaaaahhhh baby. Thinking back, I realise that I had actually invented the mountain bike. I rode it up and down the steep ‘whoops’ in the woods of the local park. These were like bomb craters - steep-sided, muddy pits that you had to shoot down as fast as possible in order to make it up the other side. I met some American kid there one day, I think his name was Gary Fisher or something, I think he stole my idea…

I had that bike for what felt like forever but was about six years. Then my Dad bought me a 70cc Honda step-through, starting my love affair with those other wondrous two-wheeled devices, motorcycles. My Dad used my pushbike on and off, but complained that the chain got oil on his trousers and the wheels sprayed him with water…  Sorry Dad! Best ride was 68 miles (measured off a map and not the crappy milometer) to the Forest and back.

See you next week, chain-gangers!  Neil

Bacon Butty thaws out Saturday 17 January 2015

Sunglasses Were Not A Good Choice For This Weather!

After the last two times of fighting up Galley Hill against very strong head winds gusting to cause me to veer off the tarmac on to the grass it was a change to ride on the grass at 09:15 to keep clear of sheet ice at the bottom of the hill, water run off from the grass have frozen solid. Would anyone else join me for a coffee in Di Paolo's on a freezing but bright morning? As I locked up my bike Gary L appeared. We have had the odd email exchange going back many years and I had heard that he had recently joined a few Harrow runs plus a Pre BBR so it was great to meet him at last. More turned up so it was six of us setting off at 10:00, no one having done the Pre BBR on a freezing morning. Soon it was apparent that I was off the pace on my touring bike, probably due to the tickly throat of the previous few days meaning I was a bit off colour rather than just plain unfit, but ……. We had to be very careful on the lanes, in places there was running water and no ice and elsewhere the puddles were frozen and ice across the road. As I pulled up Boreham Street Hill a rider in Sky kit shot past me, it looked like Steve D. As the reassembly point by the garage just short of the Bulls Head the others confirmed it had been Steve D who had ridden past them too, doing his own thing. We decided not to use the lane direct to The Lamb Wartling, due to the possibility of more ice, and stuck to the Ninfield TT course. As I approached The Lamb trailing behind everyone else Steve D appeared and then offered to pace me across the marsh to Pevensey roundabout. He set just the right pace which had me hanging on, just. About three quarters of the way across the marsh I called for a slight easing of the pace, but when ended up talking rather than push on with me at my comfortable maximum. So many thanks Steve D for dragging me along a fair bit faster than I would have solo, a bonus for those not having to wait so long for me to catch them up at Pevensey roundabout. The forecast rain clouds were gathering. We took the longer route via the Eastbourne Crem (almost) roundabout and on to a rather busy Pevensey Bakery. Peter B picked up a text from Steve C to say it was icy so he was not coming out. Peter sent a suitable reply advising Steve he could wear his blouse all weekend. It had started raining as we breakfasted and who appeared at the door a bit sodden, but not wearing a blouse? Yes it was Steve C who early in the morning had seen ice in the garden but an hour later had decided it had warmed up a bit so set off on a mad dash directly to the cafe. I had hoped for a more leisurely second cup of coffee so the band of heavy rain could pass over but others were keen to set off. The worst of the rain had passed but we got fairly wet on the way back and could ride down Galley Hill with no fear since the sheet ice had long gone.

Chris P

16/1 Kie's Eight Week Penance

With ice on some of the car windscreens but puddles still liquid it must have been just one or two degrees above zero for the start of the Friday night ride. I felt unusually cold but then realised I had forgotten to put my vest on. Amazing what a difference thin piece of synthetic material makes, as without it I was to feel cold for the whole ride . We only had an average turnout of six riders but three of these were notable as they were returning from absence. Duncan was there on his new Wilier having had some time away on holiday, Alex was back riding after injuring his shoulder a few weeks ago in the icy weather and then there was Kie! Kie had grown a beard since the last time I saw him so for a moment I thought he was a new rider. Turns out that he hasn't touched his bike for eight weeks due to work pressures, Kie was soon to pay a high price for his lack of training!

Duncan Shows Off His Lovely New Wilier!

Without any wind, it was cold but easy riding into the Rye before the start of the Broad Oak drag. As usual everyone went at their own pace and it wasn't long before I was at the back of the pack , but this time I had kie for company. For a while we worked together as a pair but once I got into my normal rhythm I soon left him behind and before long I was with the others at broad Oak. Most improved rider award must go to Nigel F as he got there long before me whereas last time we rode together it was me that waited for him.

While waiting for Kie we had time to discuss our route options. JV had warned us earlier in the day that the river Brede had flooded the valley road leaving it twelve inches deep in water. Would we be able to get through or should we go back via Sedlescombe? Nobody really wanted to go down unfamiliar roads in the dark and cold , while Malc predicted that due to the tides there was a good chance that the water would have retreated. We decided to ride down and have a look,

The Bearded Kie Would Not Be Smiling Later!

It turned out , Malc was right, the flood waters were gone so we rode down and up the valley with no problems at all. We had discussed  missing out  Stonestile and sticking to the main road home but the lack of flood water convinced us to stick to the normal Stonestile route instead.

Kie was now really suffering, his out of condition leg muscles had had enough. He urged us to go on without him but his main light had died, leaving him with just a small emergency back up front light that was more suitable to riding to the local store than cold dark night riding in the middle of nowhere. We convinced him to stay with us and pressed on towards Westfield.

On reaching the junction of the Westfield main road I realised there was no sign of Kie. I shouted out a message to Nigel F that I would go back for Kie. It was clear that he was now on the point of stopping altogether, riding slower than Bradley Wiggins down a wet descent, and had decided to ring his missus for a lift. I didn't think this was such a good idea as he could be waiting in the cold dark and damp for some time whereas if he just kept going he would be onto the ridge in just three miles (I didn't think it was a good idea to mention there was the little bump of stonestile in the way)

Having myself and Nigel for company seemed to give Kie a psychological boost and all went well until we reached the slopes of Stonestile. Poor Kie had no choice but had to do 'the walk of shame' up this ascent. I don't think Kie will take such a long break from training ever again, LOL!

Chain Gang Goes Loopy – It’s Official

Well, we were again warned well in advance and again they – the weather bods – were right. Strong winds for Wednesday! But as the day itself wore, on the forecast wind strength dropped and the feared arrival of a crescendo of rain and wind moved further into the night. If we could just get out and back home before 9pm…

Riding south to the sea front down Sackville Road was ‘interesting’, especially near the roundabout. The ride east to Galley Hill was also ‘interesting’ with the wind veering and spinning off the buildings and out of the side roads. In truth, not the worst wind I’ve ridden in but nevertheless conditions were, well, ‘interesting’. In all, 14 other intrepid cyclonauts gathered, looking rather dazed by their ride to the start.

Just how bad do conditions have to be before we say ‘nah, staying in tonight’? I can barely bring myself to write it, let alone do it! ‘Addicts’ say some; ‘madmen’ say others (wives, kids, relatives, non-cycling friends, bosses, psychiatrists, the Daily Mail – the list goes on…  They’re all wrong! They know nothing, NOTHING!! We want the challenge, the fresh air, the exercise, the banter and the thrill surviving a ride on a grotty winter’s night. You can’t get that from the telly.

Well, some good sense prevailed. Chris proposed riding circuits around a 5km loop in Cooden, rather than risking the dark, damp and potentially dangerous lanes of the marshes. To this we all agreed, or so I thought! However, it appears some were paying more attention than others to what the club secretary had to say

Off we rode, two abreast, the quite wonderful Stuart Hodd and awesome Barney Willard up front, Malcolm and I next and then the others – I didn’t dare look behind in the conditions but there were definitely riders behind me at that point…

We rode along Bexhill front, never more nervous than when the air around us went still, as we knew it was just drawing breath to hit us hard from some unexpected direction, grabbing our wheels, lifting our helmets, exploding in our ears. No South Cliff tonight, but instead we followed the road to the crossroads with Cooden Drive, then straight on under the railway bridge on Westcourt Drive. For this brief stretch we had the wind behind us before turning left along Birkdale for a long upward and windy drag that winds right and left on its way through Cooden bungalow-land.

Stuart, Barney and Malcolm left me at this point, and Ruth, Neil S (the other Neil S), Alex and another (?) went past me too, leaving me to ride solo laps. I looked behind at the high point on Birkdale to check for the others but saw no-one. Curious, I thought. Anyhow, I pressed on downhill to Cooden Sea Road, turning left and uphill again, and then turning at the top to be hit full-force in the face by the wind. Bloody Hell it was strong and gusty, but before long the route dropped bumpily down to Cooden Station, the gradient giving me a helping hand. The road levels out just before the railway bridge, the side walls of which acted as a funnel, increasing the strength of the wind from there to the left turn at the Cooden Hotel. Head down, teeth gritted, pressing hard and waiting to make the turn and feel the wind shove at my back rather than pushing at my front. Aaaarrrggghhh!

At this point, four or five riders going in the other direction passed me. I recognised Simon G. What was he doing? I decided they must have been riding the loop in reverse, perhaps having lost touch with the group as we set out. I weighed up in my mind which direction the loop might be toughest in, but decided there would be nothing in it. I would see them in another half a lap and give them some friendly abuse. That was something to look forward to!

But first there was a nice long wind-assisted sprint along Cooden Drive to enjoy; although I thought the wind was not as helpful as it might have been, coming increasingly from the south rather than the traditional chain gang southwest. Humph! I was soon at the left turn for Westcourt Drive and lap two, completed without seeing Simon G and Co. Just where in the world were they?

On my fourth lap ‘El Presidente’ was out on Cooden Drive, directing me to ride straight on, by which I understood that the loopy laps were done for the night. I enjoyed that route for a change, a varied 5km loop that’s worth riding again. It has a good mix of straights, turns and rises. Two laps would make a great 10km TT, I thought, either officially or for training purposes. Some good times ought to be possible in better conditions. The ‘Cooden Classic’ perhaps?

At the lights, we were reunited with the super-fasts, and then soon with Simon G and his band of rebels who had ridden the usual chain gang route after all. ‘Where were you?’ I asked Tom Norris. ‘Did the normal route, wasn’t listening when you decided to do the loops.’ And there you have it – on such small things are fortunes won or lost, disasters met or averted and heroes born or destroyed. Tonight, some of us did loops and others did the usual route.

Now, this meant that I HAD to ride back with Tom, otherwise he would have ridden Herbrand in a gale and I would not! That would not do and anyhow he might have an accident, and he needs help into the wind what with being so small, with that dodgy bottom-bracket and clicking knees, mild dementia

Herbrand! My goodness – the wind was strengthening and turning more southerly, becoming a solid blast, racing up the shingle to smack us on our left side. Speech was impossible, but at least the wind was constant rather than gusting. Just lean to the left and keep pedalling – easy!

After an age we made the relative shelter of the sea defences, before turning for the level crossing and riding a little more with the wind than against it. The rain started, whipped across the fields to sting our faces and blow through our thin, cold lycra. Just-Keep-Going. Up Spooky Hill together and I had gone far enough. I waved Tom on his way, trusting he would get home in one piece, and turned my wheel across the wind toward Bexhill, knowing the worst was done and I could speed home. What a buzz – a great chain gang ride, if not quite the usual recipe.



Regards, Neil

Chain Gang 'Part Deux' 'Rebel Without a Clue'

"Your not going out in that surely?", said Vicki
"I most certainly am, everybody else is going (lie) and don't call me Shirley".
You can groan all you like, this is easily my favourite joke of all time.

Earlier:
(transcribed, accurately from text messages):

Me: "It's bit mad out there, what d'ya reckon?"
Neil: "Hmmm, marginal.  The madness appeals...what do you think?"
Me: "To be honest, I think it's a bit dodgy, was some really violent gusts (on my commute back from Bexhill),          but I dunno?, I wish I was more decisive!"
Neil: "Hmmm, tricky, me too"

At which point, I am proud to say, I applied Rule 5

Me:  "Ok, let's try it, see you there!"
Neil  "Ok, mate,excellent!, Good decision!, Woohoo!. Adrenalne pumping already. Oh dear."

Upon arriving at our usual meeting place, I was amazed by the turn-out.  Neil, who was
 equally amazed at the turnout said, "At what point do we say "Enough, is enough!".
It is clear to me that unless the meeting shelter is buried under a 20ft snow-drift, people will 'rock up', for a ride.

Just before 'the off', Chris arrived and suggested the idea of 5k 'loops'; thus avoiding the dreaded Herbrand Walk - people seemed mostly O.K. about this, so off we set.

I had a particularly bad start as I had forgotten to turn on my rear light, most irritatingly I do this this quite a lot; being that it's a USB light I don't why I turn it off in the first place.  Anyway, by the time I had stopped to turn it on I had lost sight of the most of the group.  I gave chase, but was mostly 'in a little world of my own' until the South Cliff turn off where I met Simon who said "they've all gone that way and they don't seem to want to wait for us, but in any case I'd rather do the usual route".  At that point Steve arrived, followed by the guy in the red shirt (hence forth know as 'TGITRS' (I'm aware of how rude I'm being and wished I had introduced myself at the time.))  We all agreed to ignore orders from 'on high' and carry on as usual.

TGITRS Is Revealed- It Is John Moulton!

The four of us had a reasonable 'chain' going until towards the end of Herbrand when a gap appeared between Steve and I and Simon and TGITRS who were demonstrating a bit more 'oomph'.  Steve and I 'chugged' in vain but were unable to catch up with them.  The situation remained the same until I heard a familar voice, which turned out to be Tom, accompanied by Paul , who went whizzing past.  I jumped on their wheel, albeit, temporarily, until they also pulled away.  Steve and I were now chasing two sets of rear lights.
Purely out of spite (there is little loyalty between fellow 'chuggers') I decided to make myself feel better, by getting a little bit of distance between myself and Steve.

Shortly afterwards we were all gathered at the end of Sluice Lane.  There we were, not a 'super-fast' in sight, shame-faced rebels who had blatently ignored Colonel Parkers directive; surely a Court Marshall awaited us!.

We set off back to Bexhill at a speed approaching a 'warp factor'.  Simon, as usual, did his best to inject some kind of order into the pack, but I'm sure he must of felt like he was herding cats.  Not entirely our fault because whenever, we tried to 'form up' another car went past.

It was at some point after The Star that I started to think about the new potatoes, left-over from last nights dinner (which Vicki had casually mentioned, could be cut in half and lightly fried with egg and bacon: "Will make a great little dinner for you when you get back from cycling". I had to make a decision; should I go all the way, which would mean a third trip back from Bexhill (I has previously commuted) into that shite wind, or 'bail out'.  I was pondering this whilst being mesmorised by Steve's rear lights (I have always thought they are an odd, but fascinating grouping.)  Anyway, it was a 'no brainer' ; I watched the tail lights of the other riders fading out and thought about those spuds, as I 'u-turned' by the Cooden Beach Hotel.

This, of course, still left Herbrand Walk, in a westerly direction, for the third time in a day.
Whilst 'chugging' my way along, I started to realise how much I hate the name - Herbrand Walk.  Bearing in mind, how close it is to Bexhill (Warminster)-on-sea, I have decided that when I'm in charge I shall rename it 'Capt, Mainwaring Way' (for those who may not be aware, The location for 'Dad's Army' was the fictional location of Warminster, based on Bexhill-on-Sea.)

Peter Buss

14 Jan Chain-Gang Circuits

Hello Chain Gangers

 Be interested in views on the circuit used last night – originally planned for possible use on frosty nights but brought in at very short notice to try out in strong winds with dangerous gusts.

As I crawled over Galley Hill on the way to the chain gang meet the wind was very strong and gusty, blowing me off the path and on to the grass twice. It eased on the downhill run to the meet but there was some strong gusts causing my line to waiver.

 I arrived later than usual and was surprised to see something like 16 of us gathered. There was a comment, what are we going to do. I spoke with Neil about the chance to use the three mile Bexhill Circuit that was being considered for icy evenings. We then had a quick word with Stuart and decided to give the circuit a go since buildings should shelter the riders from the worst of the buffeting. I had explained the circuit to several in the past and used the first half as the start of a few bacon butty runs so some riders would be familiar with the wide roads and junctions, all light with street lights.

 Stuart Hodd explained the plan in outline to everyone with the idea that the first lap be run at a steady pace. Some immediately voiced a preference to do the usual and battle against the wind to Pevensey. I was slow in starting and saw some lights turn left at the end of Bexhill sea front instead on straight on and over the crossroads to go under the railway bridge. I did the circuit as back marker and on the second lap stopped to chat with President Stuart in his usual place. There was a fast group of four riders flying past President Stuart and several who were doing the circuit solo after not hanging on. About 8 were on the circuit and the other 8 or so did the usual run to Pevensey roundabout.

After five laps Stuart Hodd shouted to me and President Stuart that they were going straight on to the usual finish at the lights and I relayed the message as other riders came by.


In the post ride chat at the lights the roadies said they had really enjoyed the circuit, but it had been very hard work and five laps had been more than enough. The only really exposed section was the usual bit going past Cooden Beach Hotel into a howling head wind before swinging left for a very quick run down Cooden Drive before backing off just after the rise to turn left and go under the railway bridge.


If we are to use the circuit (about 3 miles) again on an icy night, please can locals check that the circuit does not have any regular ice patches, possibly not since the roads are well used (buses run on the topside in the evening) yet pretty quiet later on a winter evening, or when there are very strong gusty winds then riders would do well to sort themselves out in to smaller groups, unless they are happy to push on solo and reassemble at the lights after five laps.



Chris Parker