29/9 Rye Rotary

Oh Yay, Oh yay!

Dan H suggested riding the Rye Rotary charity ride today. A fair few of us were up for it.Once everyone had signed on were all launched on our way by the town crier.The first part of the route was the Rye Lydd road. This road seemed to go on for ever and there was a moderate headwind in our faces all the time. I rode alongside Marcus and we were able to steadily overtake most of the group, catching up with Alexander at Lydd. It was a releif to change direction here because that gave us some respite from the wind. Now the route headed out over some of my favourite lanes over towards Mary in the Marsh and Burmash. Having fluffed a road junction I found my self out of the slip stream of the others but ended up riding alongside a nice young chap called Kyle who as it turned out had recently made conatct with HSCC. Kyle had never done a ride over 25 miles before so this was going to be a new learning experience for him . I gradually dropped kyle and rode on my own for the next 5 miles a so. The next road sign for the route said go left but after three miles,I came to a road junction with no more signs to follow. Unsure what to do I waited for some other  riders to turn up. Before long kyle and Mark B were there but they too were confused about which way to go. In the distance we could see a block of riders approaching us, this turned out to be John V and Nick S with a couple of friends. Putting our thoughts together we decided we would just have to ride back to the last course marker we followed. This caused some a few choice words (LOL) from one of John's friends who was struggling a bit but I just resigned my self to it. Arriving at the sign we met Alexander and half a dozen riders.They had just come from the only proper refreshment stop . Looks like the wind had blown the sign round and we had gone left instead of right to where some nice hot coffee could have been ours (drat). We decided to join this group rather than continue to the official rest stop, we didn't fell guilty about missing part of the route as what we had just done in error was further than we would have travelled anyway. From here the wind was at our backs and rather than struggling along at 15mph it was comfortable riding at 21 mph. Our enlarged group slowly started to fragment with Nick, John and myself teaming up with some Rye rovers and leaving Alexander and the others behind but after a  short refreshment stop we were all back together. The nice people serving us drinks told us they had had riders complaining about the signage and reluctantly we had to agree that some signs were pointing  the wrong way and also there were not enough of them. Despite tiredness slowly creeping in, I managed to pull away from Alexander and rode ahead with John and Nick.A diversion took us along a wonderful newly resurfaced piece of road along a dyke near Brookland, John said he could imagine he was riding in France on this section. As we neared Appledore John and Nick slowly pulled away from me but graciously waited for me to catch up at Appledore. After a little loop around the village, all that was left was the tail wind blast all the way down the Royal Military canal path back to rye. Nick was feeling good and really put the hammer down, this burst of speed dropped even John. There was no way I could manage that pace and setted down into a steady 20 mph along this rather feature less road. Hearing another bike behind me I turned round to see Alexander. He had a put in a big effort to catch me up and at this point was probably stronger than I was. It was a great feeling as we rode together into rye to sign back in and avail ourselves of the tea and cakes there. Waiting for us was lee who had gotten round much faster than we did having ridden in a group with the legendary Barry G from Rye Wheelers. This was a great day with almost perfect weather. Although the signage could have been better and there was quite a lot of backtracking on the route, we all really enjoyed it and will be back next year. Taking the gps data of my Garmin,I have used about half of this route to create a new club/early bird 60 mile ride, we will have to try it out on a non windy winters ride?

Semi-Club trip to Afan Forest

Afan Forest in Wales is a mecca for mountain biking.It has two 44k trails with a third supposed to be opening this year but not by the time we were there. The trails can be split up so you can do whatever you want.
We go for the immense amount of single track riding . There are many steep rocky descents.
The best routes are whites level and W2 but that is my opinion.Also the Wall. Skyline is what it says a high level route with spectacular views but mainly fire break so not very interesting for the group of 30 somethings I usually go with as they prefer the single track. I do to but cannot keep up, airtime is not for me. They patiently wait for me at the end of each trail section wondering if I have fallen off again.
Anyway we go down twice a year and why I say semi club trip is that 2 of our usual 30 somthings pulled out a couple of weeks before. On our earlier trip this year one of the 30 somethings had made a video on a go-pro, a brilliant helmet cam, and I sent it to Steve C , he showed it to Duncan who asked to join us for this latest trip. Duncan told Jozef and he also signed up so we were back up to 6.
We travel down on friday so we can get in a 3-4 hour ride , then back to the cottage we stay in for home cooked  bangers and mash followed by several inevitables. Saturday is the big day. It always rains on saturdays in Wales but do not let that put you off . For some reason it does not seem to matter much because the rock is not slippy and although it would be better dry it rarely is. This is a 6 hour day with a well timed stop at a mountain hot dog and burger bar.
To clip in or not to clip in that is the question. My usual group never clip in , they are former BMX riders and seem to be able to keep their feet on the pedals even in mid air . We roadies like to know that when we  are in the air intended or not we will not come off the pedals . Problem is it hurts more if you come off clipped in.
I have never clipped in before in Wales but Duncan did not even consider it. He was clipping in.
I did for friday as it was dry but bottled out on saturday in the rain but Duncan clipped in and said all in all much happier so there it is , your choice.
We were soaked and muddy by the time we got back . We passed a pub but the consensus was not to go in ( Duncan and I have still not got over this).
Our excellent thirty something cook excelled himself with a pasta and tuna  bake  followed by inevitables and settled down for the cycling on the telly. Our leader had brought a bottle of Jack D which was not scheduled for the return trip.
We normally try to do a 2 hour ride on the sunday but our route masters girlfriend had her birthday that day and quite rightly he decided to take a early trip back and it was raining again.
Its a four and a half hour drive but for mountain bikers looking for a challenge this is a good destination
Steve has kindly agreed to attach the video clip so you can see some fun
Derek M

27/9 HSCC Fri Night Ride- The Rider's Not For Turning

Marcus Joins Us For The First Time

Good turnout for a Friday with seven riders out on a perfect autumn evening. Joining us for the first time was Marcus. Although new to the club , Marcus is a very experienced cyclist and has put in some great times from some years back before starting a family. No problems with the decent of Battery Hill, all the gravel seems to have dissipated.We stayed together in good formation all the way to Rye with only Josef out of the peleton for a while to remove some excess clothing. At the turning for rye I noticed a cyclist coming towards us on the main road, this turned out to be Mark who had missed the start but using the main road had managed to catch up with us. As usual things perked up considerably once we started the broad oak drag. As the stronger riders started to pull away, Nigel was caught napping for a while before putting in an impressive acceleration to get up to the front with Marcus and Ivan. As the drag continued they pulled away with Ivan and gave it all they had to try to go past him. Ivan power is not to be messed with however and once Ivan put his foot down he was able to arrive alone at the top.Not wishing to delay anyone , instead of stopping at Broad Oak, I just kept going . Well before the turn off for Doleham lane, Marcus came flying past me with some of the others trying to catch him up. Unfortunately Marcus was so far ahead before the turn to Doleham lane that he missed it and despite Simon calling out to him he was gone up the main road. He must have wondered where we all went to? A great shame as this meant
Marcus could not be tested on Stonestile lane and our traditional Stonestile lane newbie photo was denied. Perhaps next week?

Now for something completely different

What  is the connection between:

Hastings & St. Leonards United FC, Dunlop Tyres and The Houses of Parliament.

The answer is:  Hastings & St. Leonards C.C.

Last weekend returning from the Warwick Uni Open Day the Jenner family decided to stop at the White Horse pub on the A21 at Hurst Green for something to eat. I decided to go to the Gents as you do and noticed a black & white photo on the wall of Hastings & St. Leonards United FC. It was an old picture taken around the turn of the last century and having taken a picture on my smart phone it provided us with some entertainment prior to our meal arriving, as to what year the photo was taken. We all decided that it must have been taken around 1900 due to the clothing being worn.

Anyway, our attention fell onto the president of the football club namely Harvey du Cros MP. Back home we decided to Google him and find out who he was and this is what we found.

Harvey du Cros MP was elected the Conservative Candidate for Hastings in 1906 and resigned from the House of Commons two years later because of ill health.

Mr Harvey Du Cros was a millionaire Irishman who made his fortune from the pneumatic tyre industry. He ran many companies in the trade, and was the one-time owner of the Dunlop tyre company, which he sold for £3 million in 1896 (how much is that in today’s money ?

Du Cros made his first ‘public appearance’ on 6 January 1904 at the annual dinner of the Hastings and St Leonards Cycling Club, in the Castle Hotel. Chairman of the event was local Liberal MP Mr Freeman-Thomas.

Cycling was a popular local sport and there was a very large attendance. Du Cros had always been a keen cyclist, and it was this that made him realise the need and market for pneumatic tyres, first with cycles, then motor vehicles.

So there we are, amazing what info you can find from an old photo.

HSCC Fri Night Ride 20/9- Gravel Travels

Susan Arrives For Her First HSCC Friday Night Ride

Very different conditions to last week for a good turn out of eight riders including Barney's other half Susan. We were all dismayed to see warning signs at the top of Battery Hill informing us that there was loose gravel. The council had been at it again, scattering gravel all over the road as a cheap fix rather than repair the road properly. As we descended Battery Hill (more gingerly than normal) we were relieved to find that unlike the Rye-Broadoak (B2089) road they had been relatively sparing with the gravel and it wasn't too bad. Unlike last week we went at a more steady pace along the coast and through the harbour reserve before arriving at Rye. For once I had some company up the long drag up the B2089, Malcolm's legs were done in and he was content to sit behind me in my slip stream. Having Malcolm there made me push harder than normal but any chance of a PB on this Starva stretch were thwarted when we hit the gravelled section about half way up. Despite slowing us down it didn't seem quite so bad as last week, the cars must be slowly spreading out the gravel? There were no such hindrances on the super smooth tarmac decent from Broad Oak and I gained a PB without too much trouble. Malcolm's legs were so tired he decided to keep going on the main road to Westfield rather than take the cut through but met up with us again at the start of the Stonestile ascent. Susan and Barney were going particularly well and both managed to get their second fastest Strava times for Stonestile. Chris P says we must not call this ride a chaingang any more so hence forth it shall be known as the 'HSCC Friday Night Ride'.

Susan Gets A Great Time On Stonestile

Cevennes Summer 2013

The Cevennes was the right choice for a summer holiday for an aspirant but slow hill climber. Such a beautiful place with some sensational hills, long climbs and exhilarating descents from the pine woods on the ridges. 

I was fortunate enough to come across some dutch riders who were no slouches climbing despite the absence of hills at home. 

   

  

Refreshments on the way and Salade aux Gesiers in a beautiful cafe.  

   

Logging the miles, it was easy to allow yourself the odd slice of pepper saucissson.

 Hill tops and ridges led to spectacular views. Having squeezed in a few long rides, the hills back in Sussex seem a lot smaller and much more easily overcome now. The advent of autumn in Sussex is now a cooler pleasure, riding in the rain along Rye harbour nature reserve spotting the curlews and avocets. Looking forward to wintry bacon butty rides across the levels with the club. 

Alexander

15/9 End Of Season- The Hidden Valley

At The Top Of Ditchling Beacon!

last year was the first time we had ridden the 'hidden valley route' and myself and Derek were keen to do it again. We were all a bit worried about the weather forecast ,as rain had been predicted for the early afternoon but as we set off for kingston and climbed up past Lewes prison, there was hardly a whisper of any wind and the skies were a dazzling blue. Good to have Jon S out with us at last, this would be a good workout for his new mtb. We made good time to Ditchling Beacon, from there we descended through the hidden valley and along the off road stretch parallel to the A27. I was looking forward to tea and scone at the Stanmer tea stop but no sooner had we sat down before the skies turned dark and the wind started to pick up, looked like the predicted rain was on its way. So we didnt linger as long as we usually like to and got on with the job of  climbing back  up towards the  beacon before taking a southern 'dog's leg' towards St Mary's farm. Here I misread the gps and we took the wrong track north wards. Eventually I realised my mistake and was all for turning back but Ivan persuaded me to keep going as eventually it would reach the SDW way anyway. This track turned out to be just as good as the one I had intended to us, perhaps we can use this track on a different ride? Once on top of the downs it was easy fast riding all the way back to Folkington. Sure enough by 1:00 the first rain drops appeared but now we were safely tucked up in our cars we no longer cared.
This is the end of the offroad season for me, I wont be organising any more until June next year, its back to the road for me although Derek and josef are off to Wales for some more serious mountain biking next weekend. Its been the best season for many years, lets hope next year is just as good.