26/2- HSLCC Chaingang- Bad Tumble!

Joe Back From Winter Hibernation!

I've missed a few Wednesday night chain gangs of late, so I was very much looking forward to tonight's ride in light and dry winds. And so it seems were lots of others! I think in all that 30 riders set off and at a fair clip, with a fast group emerging on Western Parade, then ripping ahead up South Cliff.

But they didn't get far. A chaos of lights and cries broke out within 100m of the turn and it was soon clear we had a rider down. Thankfully, he had not hit his head but he was clearly in pain and an ambulance was called as we didn't like the look of his right arm.

With plenty of riders in attendance, the rest of us continued the ride, slightly subdued. But it was a beautiful starry night, fresh enough to encourage a warming effort. A dozen or so riders assembled at Pevensey and began the return leg, meeting the riders who had stayed with the casualty, part-way across the marshes.

We pressed on - it's not often that Tom, Kie and myself find ourselves in the lead group (well, ok, never). Malcolm had done a cheeky turnaround and led us home, dashing across the marshes, down Herbrand Walk and along Cooden Drive. He and someone else made it back first, Kie came in third, followed by me and Tom. A new world order! Where was the marvellous Stuart Hodd and Co tonight? Languishing in the rear! Ok, I guess we had a head start...

Well, Stuart and the others eventually rolled in and the chat was inevitably about the poor crash victim. Definite broken arm, it seems, with the crash caused perhaps by a touch of wheels. Whilst we chatted the ambulance carrying him pulled up alongside. The crew opened the door and invited us to say hello, which we duly did. I don't know the name of our injured comrade, but it goes without saying that we all wish you a speedy and full recovery. And let's hope we have good weather again next week!

Neil Smith

21/2 HSLCC Fri Night Ride- Pebble Dash

Just Tell Yourself You Are Enjoying This Malc!

After fine Friday weather during the day I was looking forward to a dry  night ride. However, as the sun set the wind picked up and the forecast had deteriorated to light rain around 9:00. Oh well, hopefully we would get back before it started raining. Just four of us were up for the ride including Malcolm D who is still having trouble with his leg/hip despite taking a month off cycling. With the wind behind us it was easy riding into the reserve but we soon found ourselves having to dodge an increasing number of pebbles until we came across one section that was almost completely covered. Until this is cleared we will have to switch back to the road as these could easily throw a rider off in the dark. Reaching the end of the reserve and taking a right angled turn we were met with the full force of the westerly wind and suddenly the wind was joined with cold heavy rain lashing our exposed faces. Within a few minutes my windproof was soaked, a quick stop at the public loos to put on our water proofs was needed. Simon tried to organise a peleton up the broad oak drag , mainly to aid Malcolm , but despite riding on three cylinders Malcolm was still stronger than myself and soon dropped me, although on reaching the flatter or slightly downhill sections gravity came to my aid and I was able to claw him back and overtake everyone.Luckily the earlier rain had stopped and we had a windy but dry ascent of Stonestile. Malcolm and myself retired to the pub, looking forward to warming up by a radiator while drinking a few beers. Unfortunately the pub's heating system had failed and it was barely any warmer than outside. By the time we left the rain had returned with a vengeance and the wind had reached near gale force. We were absolutely frozen and our teeth were chattering. It was a relief to ride up the hill into Ore where some useful body heat was generated. This was the coldest I have been this winter!

19/2- HSLCC Chaingang- View From The Back

Expected a large turnout for chaingang as first reasonable evening for weeks . Mild little wind and appeared no rain .
Had been looking at blog and reports from those who had turned out in horrendous weather in last few weeks. The banter was along the lines of what bad weather !! .
We gradually built up to eleven ( I think ) riders and as each turned up I was thinking of how long they would have to wait for me at Pevensey. I decided to set off early . Malcolm and  Tom  also left early a bit after me . Tom passed me at cooden and pulled me and Malcolm along , Malcolm has an injury that has kept him out for some time.
It was raining ( again ) by time got to Star our little train had a near miss with a car on the bridge as  due to rain did not see car but think car got the bigger shock .
Tom (sporting his new derailleur ) pulled us to pevensey in the drizzle, but 500 metres from end the train of the other riders came flying past and that is first time I have seen how fast they go.
The return journey was on my own as Malcolm had got his body working a bit better .
Derek

19/2- HSLCC Early Bird- 1066

First Of The Three Punctures!

Nigel's Diet Is Going Well!

On Lee's suggestion I decided to organise a mid week early bird ride and was delighted that Nigel, Ivan and Mick were also able to join us. Chris Parker also rode with us a little while but soon bade us farewell as he was saving his legs for the evening's chaingang which was sure to be well attended. The route was one of the first ones that I had ever mapped out, long before garmins were even a glint in some technician's eye. This is a tough route being graded in hills as very hard, so I was glad to have a breather when Nigel got a puncture just outside of Robertsbridge. Passing through Bodium I was looking forward to seeing the flooded plains around the castle but amazingly most of this water had disappeared and all that was left were a few large puddles, what a difference a fortnight makes.!Steep hills around Beckley put paid to any light conversation, dropping a little back from the others and climbing out of the saddle I noticed my front tyre was flat. Ivan kindly found a couple of bits of flint embedded in the rubber and we were on our way towards the familiar Broad Oak junction where Mick left us to head directly home. Swooping down the hill my instincts wanted me to continue on the Friday night route but the '1066' had a more devious and taxing course in stall which first involved descending down Steep Hill Lane towards Sedlescombe. This lane was in such shocking condition that even the Hailsham audax would be impressed. Shouting warnings to the others I descended as safely as I could trying to avoid mud , patches of gravel and numerous potholes. Regrettably I clipped the edge of one of the smaller craters which was sufficient to give me a rapid pinch puncture but fortunately this was near the bottom of the lane so I was able to steer the rapidly mishandling bike to the side. We were now only twelve miles from home but these were very tough miles as we peddled past Pestalozzi, Westfield and Rock lane. I had not eaten very well the last few days owing to a stomach bug and Nigel was
on a reduced calorie diet so we were both riding on empty by now. Still, salvation was at hand, all downhill through Ore and down to an old town cafe. lee and myself arrived there first, and we waited for Ivan and Nigel who were just behind us, but after ten minutes there was no sign of them. A phone call from Nigel informed us that Ivan's chain had come off and they were on their way. I didn't think much of us until they duly arrived and told us how on the steep descent of 'Old London road , the loss of the chain had caused Ivan's back wheel to lock up and throw him off. This left Ivan sprawled across half the carriage way still attached to this pedals. Fortuitously the vehicle behind them was an ambulance which pulled over to check that Ivan was OK . Ivan was fine and the only damage was a small hole in the backside of his lycra.

16/2 HSLCC Club Ride- 'Coastguard'

First HSLCC ride for Chris!

Steve Shows His best Side!

Almost perfect weather for a change with blue skies, light wind and glorious sunshine. This brought out an excellent turnout of eleven riders which included Chris Barret on his first ever HSLCC club run. last to turn up was Paul Baxter on a gleaming brand new giant TCR composite 105 equipped steed.This was to be Paul's first ever ride on this new steed. We set off at a steady pace along the ridge through Pett and off to Rye and then Appledore. Riding without the wind felt great and after all the head wind riding we have donerecently the riding seemed effortless. On reaching Appledore I thought we would have a quick breather and a bite to eat at the bridge. It was only then that I found out that apparently Paul had had to go back to the Harrow to retrieve his water bottles so that was the end of his club ride,this was a shame as I would love to know what Paul thought about his new bike as its one I am considering purchasing one day . Heading off the military road and into the quiet flat roads of the Walland Marsh was glorious with the sun shining off all the flooded fields and streams. Unfortunately (apart from Steve D who was struggling a bit today) I was the only one with the route on their garmin so all the navigation stress fell on me, fortunately I was feeling good so was able to lead from the front most of the time. Halfway between Old Romney and Mary in the Marsh we came to a halt . Ahead of us a river had burst its banks and there was water right across the road! How deep was it, could we get through? I cycled  in first, trying to reach a compromise between enough momentum to get through and not too fast in case I hit a pot hole. The further we travelled , the deeper it got and the harder it was to keep moving. Suddenly I felt the front wheel sinking into a pot hole, all forward movement was lost, I had to put my feet down so my shoes immediately filled

Dry Sunny And Well Maintained lanes, lovely!

right up with cold water. John narrowly missed falling in when he lifted up his feet to keep his shoes dry only to find it a struggle to clip back in, almost losing balance. Having successfully crossed the flood, I nearly caused a bad accident when having missed a turn I called everyone to a halt and road right in front of John who fortunately managed to stop in time (apologies!). Ivan was really getting into his stride now while I was beginning to feel a little tired. I couldn't quite keep up with Ivan and his little group of followers and unfortunately Ivan missed a right turn. Lee shouted out to them to come back but after waiting a few minutes we realised no one had heard. No one was answering their phone so we decided to carry on the way they had gone expecting them to be waiting for us up ahead. On reaching Appledore there was no sign of them. Andy and Dave didn't want to go home the lumpy way, so myself lee, Steve and Malcolm were now riding as a group of  four. Malcolm and Steve were  struggling by now and suddenly disappeared. I knew Steve had the route on his garmin so wasn't too concerned. That left just myself and Lee, the last two survivors of the original eleven. The terrain now began to change as it started to get more lumpy heading towards Wittesrsham. Much to our surprise we saw Steve up ahead, he had taken a crafty short cut but there was no sign of Malcolm who had decided to go a different way . Steve was plodding on in 'survival' mode, putting his tiredness down to a late shift at work. Lee and myself had to leave him behind but a few minutes later we were delighted to see the familiar shapes of Ivan and his entourage. They had correctly guessed which way the route went, so except for Steve, Andy, Dave and Malcolm we were all back together.Riding through Peasmarsh was so different to the marsh with lots of running water and mud on the road. This contributed to Ivan getting a puncture which gave Steve  chance to catch up with us and get ahead. On arriving at Broad Oak nobody was willing to join me on the official route which would have meant going up Doleham lane. Lee and Chris headed for battle while the rest of us decide to stick to the main Westfield road, part of me was relieved as I was feeling pretty tired by then and the dodgy nerve in my foot was beginning to play up. On arriving home I had covered 72 miles which is not too shabby.

12/2 HSLCC Chaingang- Riders On The Storm

As I set out for the Wednesday chain gang I knew it was going to be an interesting ride as half an hour earlier there had been a proper storm! I knew this because it had all the right ingredient for a storm. Thunder, lightning and hail! Unlike all the other 'storms' we have been getting which are really just wind and rain. Anyway, the proper storm or just wind and rain argument can wait for another day... I have a ride to review.
I set of from my 'gaff' near Ore and took the route along the ridge, down Harrow lane to Bulverhythe to try to avoid some of the wind and then over Galley hill. On some sections of this route I think I must have reached at least 4... maybe 5 mph!
At the bus stop waiting were four other nutters, sorry riders in the shape of Slawek the great, Tom, Barney (baldrick) Willard and the whippet Trevor. That was it so we set of at what can only be described as slow. This continued for the rest of the ride out with Slaw, Barney and the whippet pushing ahead while I stayed with Tom as to leave a man behind on a night like that was bad form and with the strong wind he may have tried to get to the Pevensey roundabout but ended up in Westfield instead Mary Poppins style!
At the roundabout we said goodbye to Slawek the great and Mary Poppins and myself Baldrick and the whippet set of back towards Bexhill.
 With the whippet on the front and Zephyros behind us the speed rose dramatically! 25, 27, 30! Spooky hill was like a mere bump in the road and while there we could see the English channel lit by lightning as a 'proper storm' raged above it.
It was 30 mph all the way to Cooden where after the turn and with the whippet back on the front and the Greek god of wind at our heels this soon went up to 35! at the Cooden incline Barney flicked his elbow for me to pass which took me a good 200m  as I was already flat out! This aloud the feather like whippet to be whisked from us by Zephyros and his insane fitness! I gave the briliant baldrick a lead out and he unleashed his sprint in a vain attempt to catch the magnificent whippet, this was all he had left so I continued at pace to earn myself a nice little KOM (sorry Slawek) to the lights. (the whippet is not on Strava... thankfully!)
We rode home at a decent pace, said fairwell to the whippet as he peeled away at the Azur to leave Barney and I to be blown along the seafront and up the hill towards home. After a quick summit meeting and debrief outside Barney’s I made my way home after a ride that I wasn’t looking forward to turning into one of the classic Hastings and St Leonards cc chain gangs!

Stuart Hodd

12/2 HSLCC Weds Chaingang: More Ways Of Brutal!

Even windier on the chaingang than last week!
Thankfully the shingle and water feature were gone from Harebrand Walk.
The Mad Bastards lined up again in Bexhill for one more heroic effort; me, Barney, Trevor, Swavek and Stuard Hodd.  Bianchi is being repaired after last weeks adventures so it was Cro-Moly for me.  No doubt (!) it was the extra weight that made it so difficult to hang on to that last wheel and I was dropped twice, St. Stuart of Hodd waited to shepherd me back to the flock the first time and the second time dropped back so we could ride together to the turn.   Blessings be upon him.
Swavek and I felt totally beat up after getting back to Eastbourne so judged it to be an excellent training ride.

Tom Norris