Bacon Butty Run Saturday 6 February 2016

There were more than a dozen of us between 9:30 to 10:00 for coffee in Di Paolo Cafe, it is becoming a popular club gathering. I remember an interview with Robert Millar, not long after winning the Tour de France polka dot jersey, arguing against mid ride coffee breaks on club runs since races tend not to break mid event for coffee and cake before resuming ....... Well if you are in serious training and need long miles fair enough, but for many club runs the social element is a big part. If you need to get hard training miles in and get impatient with several stops to regroup then the BBR and other social club runs are not for you. Several of our stronger riders are more than happy to have an easier leg loosener/ recovery ride on the BBR and encourage those that are intending to work on their speed and / or endurance so they can do more of our other runs.

Ten rolled off a few minutes after 10:00 but one rider was faffing about outside the cafe as everyone set off at an easy initial roll off pace. After waiting over the road for Mr Faff for a bit I could not afford to delay longer without any signal as to why the hold up so I set off in pursuit of the disappearing bunch and assumed it was Peter B2 who had said he was going straight home, having ridden the Pre BBR and needing to get back early after a coffee and chat with everyone else.

I always try and have a rolling regroup (sometimes a halt is required if some riders are a bit behind, or someone has been faffing outside the cafe rather than getting a move on) straight after we turn left just north of Cooden station so that a decision can be made if we need to split in to two groups that go their own way if the Gruppetto is going to be well off the pace.  But everyone had gone on ahead and were waiting at the left turn where you rejoin the main road. There was no sign of Mr Faff chasing us down so I called roll on and advised that Peter B3, the tenth rider, would be cutting off to do his own thing.

At the regroup just north of Hooe I realised that Peter B1 was missing. I had assumed his mucker, Neil, who was leading from the front would have realised his riding pal was absent, they had even been on the Pre BBR together. But no, Neil had forged ahead without giving Peter B1 a second thought! I could only conclude that Lord Buss (Peter B1) had got his ermine a tad dirty on the earlier ride, and his coronet was needing a polish, hence the long faff outside Di Paolo's sorting out his regalia? Neil thought his lordship might have changed his mind and gone straight home?

Neil lead from the front again, at times well off the front but it was good to see young Fabien hold his wheel very well. Strava  (see the P.S) Queen Sue, of many local sections so I am told, was doing just the right pace for Caroline to hold her wheel on the way to the Boreham Street regroup.

Soon after the Rushlake Green regroup Andy, Caroline and I almost had a three up team trial routine worked out in to the wind down to Cowbeech. Neil had waited up with everyone at the left turn to Herstmonceux and they had checked out who was planning to go straight home, but as agreed before we started at Di Paolo's the others would head for Pevensey Bakery.

The right turn off the main road to Wartling was a little hairy. I was at the front of a small group and was trying to look behind to see a break in the traffic to signal and pull out mid lane. It was a bit late before there was space behind a flat bed truck that had just gone past us then braked. I shouted EASY to warn those behind that I had to brake as I was pulling out to turn. Not sure why but the truck driver shouted out of his open window **** off at me. May be he thought I was criticising him from overtaking then pulling in sharply and braking just in front of me, so he thought I as shouting EASY at him? Ah well .......

I am not sure what was happening behind me before the junction (stiff neck means glancing behind does not enable me to see a long way back) but ideally the back marker of a line of riders spots a gap in the traffic, signals and pulls out mid lane to protect those ahead from overtaking traffic in the approach to a right turn. One junction where this really needs to be done well on a club run is on the A22 when you come down from Gun Hill, turn left and you do a short stretch on the main road before the right turn to St Bede's school, it can be a bit hairy when there is a lot of fast traffic. A good back marker can help protect the riders ahead from fast cars that do not see the rider at the front of the line signalling right.

Andy tried to get Eddie (a YMIL and not a MAMIL on a very strong BBR debut) Fabien and me to do through and off along the level to Pevensey roundabout  in to the strong head wind. It is difficult to talk and hear any calls as strong wind rushes past your ears so we abandoned the attempt since we were starting to ride stop / start yoyo pace at times which increases the risk of touching wheels.  You need a smooth consistent pace at all times with the lead pulling off to the agreed side, which depends on circumstances, as the train keeps in a straight line.

Only four of the nine riders went to Pevensey cafe, a good job since only one table was free.  But there were five bikes outside? Mystery solved, after taking so long readjusting his regalia Lord Buss had decided not to chase after us and his lordship had taken a short cut to the cafe.

Another most enjoyable BBR with a good turn out on the same day as many regulars were on the Snargate Social.

Chris Parker

P.S. it seems the Bexhill Strava bike thief has a cousin in Tunbridge Wells. One of the SDW lads had not ridden since October,  until two weeks ago. A few days after his first ride following his winter break he went to his shed to find his two top range bikes had been stolen but his training bike, and kids bikes were still there. His conclusion was that his Strava upload had inspired the unwanted visitor to his shed....... So make sure you use the Strava security / privacy settings, especially if you live in Bexhill which a year or so ago saw a spate of shed / garage bike thefts from those that (coincidently?) use Strava.

6/2 Snargate Social: Cancel? Not him!

Checking the weather forecast for Saturday's Snargate social  in the pub after the Wednesday chain-gang , it was looking grim with  heavy rain at times and winds of 49 miles per hour ,but as Steve C is becoming known as ‘Cancellation Curt’  and currently up to ‘double girls blouse level’ he was adamant that this time he would not cancel even if the weather was going to be so bad that half the riders would go down with hypothermia! Fortunately by Friday it was clear that the winds would remain but there was no chance of rain anymore, what a relief!

Eleven of us gathered at the cemetery gates.  The wind was already strong . The route took us down Ivyhouse Lane . I turned to head for Westfield but was called back. The route was to be  Doleham Hill followed by Brede Hill. I was glad to get those done but why go the easy way when the route said you can turn to the right where there is a steep descent and find another steep climb. Ivan had chosen his fixie and was really enjoying himself especially when nearly at the top of the hill a large lorry confronted us leaving a one foot gap to get through.

The route was then easy but the wind was getting stronger and the gusts were pushing you towards the edge of the road.

At Rye Steve D had to go back as he was on call but was replaced by Malc D who was in the cafe having breakfast. Ivan decided to join him and they were to catch us up.

Tom looks surprised to have made it, on his old rusty audax

Leaving Rye we flew along with the wind directly behind us but the route was the Camber turn which put us directly into the wind. I thought it would get easy when we turned east again but for some reason it was still into wind . This continued to the firing range and then we were with the wind again.
By Lydd Malc C went straight on and we would have all happily followed him but the route said we had to head into the wind to Dungeness.

Our one lady rider Shirley was feeling the effects of the wind by then having battled against it over the new bypass already to get to the start. Duncan H stayed with her to shield her and at Dungeness we turned back with the wind and  directly behind us to St Margarets Bay. We normally stop there for a break but Steve C was intent on maximum time at the Red Lion at Snargate and would not be persuaded otherwise. It was back into wind and it seemed a long drag to Snargate.

Derek is so pleased to be able to get out of the wind

We were surprised that Ivan and Malc D had not caught us and I was surprised to see Nigel had suddenly joined us and I assumed he had caught us but it all became clear when he told us he had met Ivan and Malc D who had taken a short cut to Snargate for more quality time at the pub. Nigel had decided to come and find us and ride to Snargate with us.

Nigel gets more bristly every timewe see him 

This pub is great and it has all been said before ,its stepping back to bygone days .Ivan and Malc D were sitting by the log fire so we all joined them .Malc C Shirley and Duncan H found the domino's and were happily playing and we all chatted and the time just disappeared.

Then back into the wind . The route said go into Appledore and take the country lanes to Rye . These would have given shelter from the wind but Ivan power had decided military canal, which filled me with dread but he was 200 metres away by then so that was the new route. Malc D arranged the order of the peloton with double Duncans on the front and we all followed behind. This road is 5 miles long and directly into wind today . Some of us were exhausted by the end of it but we knew fish and chips was just round the corner. We were worried about where to put the bikes but the owner said bring them in with you.

Time to leave the pub and head for Rye and chips.

Thoughts then turned to the ride home directly into 40mph winds and the joys of Battery Hill.
Shirley and I had already decided to let the train take the strain and 3 others decided to join us . No names mentioned on the grounds of street cred .So off to the station with 5 minutes to spare.”The train travelling to Hastings will not be travelling because we have cancelled it. You will be going by bus which is late”
Nothing to do with Steve D by the way.
There is no way I was cycling back from Rye on this ride ,I never do.
The 3 others decided to cycle which just left me and Shirley. The helpful stationmaster said the bus driver may take the bikes if he felt like it, we waited for the bus and it arrived 10 mins later and the driver did not feel like it. Shirley had a good go at him as a similar thing had happened on a trip she had done and the driver had put the bike in the luggage compartment.
Railways are strange things. Although the train was cancelled there was another one on the way so the stationmaster said “ I will look after your bikes and you go for a coffee”.We did just that and 20 mins later were on the train.
We can also claim our train fare back as the train we wanted was cancelled

Meanwhile the rest of the gang were battling their way into an increasingly strong headwind along the coast back to Hastings. Duncan H and Steve C were soon dropped by the others but worked so well together as a team that by Pett level they had caught up with Duncan F. All that now lay between home a sofa, hot drink and chocolate was the little matter of Battery Hill. Having done more than his share of battling into the wind, Duncan H started to fade and complain that he was done in, so Steve got to the foot of battery Hill first only to be overtaken by Duncan F and a resurgent Duncan H. Duncan H had gained a reserve burst of energy and easily beat his name sake to the top with Steve C trailing in last place but very relieved to get to the top. Surprisingly this was Duncan H’s first ever climb of Battery Hill so this was a great performance and a perfect way to end the ride.

Many thanks to all those who came on the Snargate social. This is the third year we have done this and will be back again next year although we have decided that next year we shall have a nice café stop somewhere in the Lydd/New Romney area.

Derek

Part Deux - BBR "Last call for EasyJet flight EZY 2051 to Allicante...."

Normans Bay - 06:28 a.m

"Morning sweetie, why don't you have an extra 10 minutes in bed while I fix breakfast for you? - boiled eggs o.k". Now, I've washed and polished your bike and oiled the chain, and your cycle clothes are warming on the radiator............"

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Bzzzzzzzzzzz

"Oh, sh*t, what's happening.....Oh, what a lovely dream....."

 I stumbled out of bed, lifted a corner of the blind and thought "No way, Jose".  The waves were crashing onto the beach in a rhythmical pattern and freezing momentarily before, with a 'schlepping' sound, being dragged back home by the invisible, irresistible force of the tide.  The rain was pounding the windows; sounding like handfuls of gravel being thrown out of an angry fist.  I reset the the clock for 07:30, snuggled  under the blankets and then the guilt 'kicked in':  'just suppose someone does wait for me at the crossing'; after all I did get Steve C to send out an email informing everyone of my my intentions.  I went through a mental list of all the regular Pre BBR ers to see who might be keen (daft) enough to venture out in these conditions. There were only two possibles I concluded: Neil and Tom. Neil did meet up with me two Saturdays ago in sub-zero conditions and would no doubt have made the effort today if he wasn't planning to do other things because it's his birthday today.  That just left Tom.  I always think It's best to consider the worse case scenario which is: Tom standing in the rain, freezing to death and cursing me for my lack of attendance - never mind, I'm sure he will get over it, I turned over and tried to get some more sleep.

09:45 - Di Paulos

Full house! everyone and their uncle/aunt seemed to be in attendance - new comers , old comers, young , old - you name it.  I was sitting next to a new 'face'.  I seized the opportunity when he went to the toilet.

"Who's that?", I said to Mal C.

"That's Sidney", he replied.

"You know him then?"

"Well I do, but I didn't know his name was Sidney,I wondered what his name was!", he said.

"But you said his name was Sidney!", I replied.

I looked across at Tom.

"This is straight out of a 'Two Ronnies' sketch", I said

Later on in the ride I got to know Terry and it turns out he's from my 'manor' (loosely speaking - I'm a Londoner, but was living in Kent before coming  to East Sussex), in fact the first pub he drank in when he was a lad was the Imperial Arms, Chislehurst which was where I met Vicki! - small world.  He is a very experienced rider and has a history of riding in Europe; including iconic climbs in France and the Roubaix cobbles.  He was explaining that he had a bad fall on the cobbles in Belgium and was out of action for a long time and has only been riding again for about a year or so.

 I must admit to feeling a sense of pride and belonging as we 'attacked' the De La Warre roundabout en masse.  I feel untouchable when part of a large group, after all what can the motorist do when confronted with 20 cyclists? - plough us all down? I think not, although this is of course a not totally impossible to imagine scenario when seeing the anger from some motorists; quite a few of whom seem to really hate us.

The author puts on a brave face for Starbucks.

The new winter route seems to work really well with just the right amount of challenge.  We re-grouped at several points; my favourite being at the top of Boreham Hill - everyone looks happier to be at the top rather than the bottom.  It is a while since I have being around the Bodle Street area and I always associate it with the Hard Riders T.T.  (those who did the Eastbourne Sportive with me last year will remember that I should have taken the right off the Herstmonceaux Road, but somehow shot past it and there are some members of the club who have been unable to forgive me for what they perceived as cheating.) New to cycling three years ago I was 'conned' into taking part by Col. Parker who said it was 'fairly straight forward' and I still remember well the feeling of arriving back at the HQ a full 5 minutes after everyone else!.  To be far to Chris to take part in a TT at the beginning of your cycling 'career' was good advice, it means only one thing: you are going to get a lot quicker - the second year I came in 9 minutes faster and not last!

At...............Duncan and his two boys bad us farewell and the rest of us headed to Starbucks.  Chris had suggested this due to the high turnout and his concerns that we couldn't easily be accommodated at Chilley farm, or the Pevensey Bakery.

I chose an 'All-day Breakfast Bun' and a 'small' (cleverly re branded as a 'tall') Cappuccino at the bargain price of £6.60 - although on placing my order it was difficult to be heard above the constant PA announcements giving information on imminent flight departures.  I know I'm being facetious but iIdo find these kind of places sterile, perfunctory and soulless, and reminiscent of 'Billi' the EasyJet departure lounge at Bordeaux airport.
I would prefer that we split into two groups - one heading for the Bakery with an over-spill at the Pevensey Diner, or excet that we have a long wait at Chilley if there is a lot of us.

Anyway, be interesting to see how things 'pan out' next week.

Peter Buss

Wednesday Chain Gang - Laurel and Hardy do battle with the Puncture Pixie

There was a fantastic turnout this week, with 25 or so riders out to enjoy the near windless and dry conditions. It was warm enough too, if you kept moving, but more on that later.

After some disagreement on what time to roll out, the ultras (without the most excellent Stuart Hodd) set off with just five riders, on time and not early this week. They looked over their shoulders rather forlornly for more riders to join them, but the main group looked back at them, then at each other, and clearly thought 'nah'.

Kie returns after a years absence performing in 'Tron'

With Lord Buckland chomping at the bit, the main group of 20 or so was soon chasing up the road after them, stretching into a long line of flashing red and white bicycles as we rode past the De La Warr. Somewhere along Bexhill front, his Lordship asked indignantly 'are we going to rotate then?' This was my cue to make the 'rotate' signal, turning my right hand in an anticlockwise direction; I've been waiting for this opportunity. I nearly fluffed it, such was my excitement, but I stretched out my arm and circled it as if stirring a large bowl of porridge. Very satisfying!

Big Sean Reed helps organise the 'Ultra's'

We rotated neatly and I found myself at the front as we came to South Cliff. Two pedestrians were nearing the junction and so I shouted 'left' to alert them. Our fast-arriving group of seven to nine riders included Peter 'I need a poo' Baker, John V, Dan S, Simon 'groaning' Grogan, his Lordship, John Maltby (strong, as ever) and Nick Sargent. I was quickly through the turn and felt strong up the hill, with Nick eventually taking the front somewhere near the top. We were working well as a group, with smooth transitions and a good overall pace. Nick's rear wheel was making worrying clicking noises and spinning irregularly, the cause later identified as some broken spokes. Lord B and I offered to straighten them with our feet, but he was not keen. We could've saved him a fortune, but money is no object to Nick, such is his property empire.

On we rode along Cooden, with John M taking the bend at the hotel at an incredible speed and angle of lean - his fearless cornering had me wincing in anticipation of the sound of grinding metal and lycra, but he made it round safely. We caught up with John on Herbrand. Then Malc D came out of nowhere and went off the front; we let him go and caught up with him too as we crossed the Herbrand Walk level crossing, the group continuing to work well together as we span along the winding marsh lane to arrive at Spooky Hill. I determined not to get dropped here, so I loitered at the back of the group, saving some energy for the short, sharp climb that so often does for me. Once we hit the hill, I came down the outside with a couple of others, feeling strong and pulling hard - for once, I felt like I had some strength in my legs.

Darren enjoys a few moments of quiet pre chain contemplation

The group was well matched, riding at an even pace and staying together on the descent to the wildlife reserves, maintaining good speed as we rounded the tight left hand bend. It was lovely to make this turn without riding straight into the teeth of a vicious gale and we continued a good group ride right to the end. Some of us could not resist putting in a burst on the sprint section, with a lead out from me giving his Lordship the slipstream he needed to reach the final bend first. His valet sprang from the hedge to give him a glass of champagne and some peanuts, which I thought was rather strange, but I guess being landed gentry can make you a bit eccentric. It's another world...

The return leg continued in similar but not quite as orderly fashion, with more sorting out to do after the mass start. I fell in with a similar group to the one I rode with on the outward leg, which was I think just off the back of the ultras. They pulled away once we got to Herbrand, taking JV with them but leaving us in their vapour trail. We kept them in sight all the way along Cooden Drive, but we couldn't get to them, and JV eventually fell into the no-man's land between the two groups. All in all, it was an excellent chain gang, with good pacey group riding. What a difference it makes not to battle the wind, and was I stronger because I hadn't ridden on Monday night?

Shirley is 'glowing' in her new winter gear

The second lap began with just Lord B, and me, but we were soon joined by Shaun and Steve F. Pootling along Herbrand, both Steve and I hit a large stone at the edge of the road. My rear tyre deflated - damn. Shaun rode on once he had made sure I had the kit to fix the puncture and Steve stayed with me to see 'how it's done', having never had a puncture! How is that fair? Anyway, with much swearing and 'assistance' from Steve, I got the new inner tube in place and stuck the CO2 cylinder on the valve. Up went the tyre in an instant; Steve was very impressed - 'what's that then, mister?' The only problem seemed to be a strange bulge in the valve area, but after some pinging and popping, the tyre settled down and was ready to ride on again.

Having not really planned to do a second lap, Steve turned towards Bexhill, riding about five metres before declaring 'I've got a puncture!'. I said 'oh dear' and started riding towards Pevensey - well, I was getting cold! Decency prevailed and I took pity on poor Steve, but first I asked whether he had a gadget for fixing punctures; apparently not. We were both getting colder. 'Let me do it, or I won't learn' said Steve. I did wonder if now was a good time, but I kept silent.

He had the bead over the rim in a jiffy, and then pulled out the mangiest looking inner tube I've ever seen. It had several twists in it and appeared to be made from liquorice. WTF? Steve pulled out the replacement tube and frankly it did not look much better - it too had several twists in it and looked like something you'd get from a market sweet stall. He started feeding the inner tube under the tyre, tucking it in as he went. Three turns of the wheel later and he was no further on, the tube determined to flop out of the rim as he went around. We were now both shivering.

Eventually, we decided to put some air into the tube. 'How much should I put in' asked Steve? 'Enough', I answered. 'How much is enough?' he said. Resisting the urge to strangle him with the inner tube, I said (with infinite and divine patience) 'THAT'S enough, stop NOW'. The tube now tucked neatly into the rim, but strangely it seemed as if the tyre had grown - it no longer fitted the wheel.

'What the f*** have you done Steve? You've stretched the tyre, haven't you?' I mumbled through numb lips.

'No, I never, I done nothing', he spluttered through chattering teeth.

So happy to get to ride a dry chain-gang for a change!

'You've stretched the tyre and now you must do the walk of shame or, worse, call your missus for the lift of utter humiliation' I cried, 'AND we're going to freeze to death!'

'I'm only here because you made me come, you selfish b*****d', he said, dribbling. 'I was going to go home, but you made me feel guilty, now look at us', he wailed.

This was all true. I decided that if Steve succumbed to the cold before me, I would bury him under a cairn of beach stones, as a mark of respect, with his bike perched on top, as a roadside shrine. Future chain gangs would slow as they passed it, offer a squirt from their water bottles, making the sign of the cross and mumbling a prayer. Building it would also warm me up before I rode home.

'Ok, let's try again - give it here' I said, snatching the wheel off him. Truly, the tyre was now large enough for a 30" wheel, if such things exist. When in doubt, start with what you know, and I knew that the tyre bead should be on at least one inside edge of the rim before levering over the other. Gradually, I worked the tyre onto the rim and, magically, it shrank back to its original size. 'Look at that, you see? It just needs the grip of an experienced hand' I said patronisingly. 'How did you do that?' said Steve, marvelling at my technical prowess. Frankly, having done it with numb hands, I was impressed too. 'I'll do it now!' Oh God, I thought, but it went well enough, if slowly, as we froze to the shingle and dripped snot everywhere.

A 'few' post chain drinks at The Standard for Ivan et al

'I hate cycling'.

'Me too, I'm finished with it, this is rubbish'.

'I'm going to burn my bike'.

'Me too, burn it, warm up - got any matches?'

We rode back to Bexhill as fast we could, desperate to generate some heat. It was not working; we were too cold and the faster we went the colder the wind felt. It was miserable and I was glad to get home. The garage felt like a tropical greenhouse and the kitchen like a furnace. The 30 minutes we spent on Herbrand fixing the punctures felt like an age - the colder we got, the more slowly time passed.

'Good ride darling?' asked my wife.

'Yes dear, lovely - bit chilly perhaps', as I headed straight for the microwave to warm up my hands...


Safe riding, Neil

Bacon Butty Run Saturday 30/01/2016

By the time I was locking up my bike outside Di Paolo's at 09:25 there were already four or so bikes outside. More arrived, including Club President Stuart Crabb, so by the time we assembled at 10:00 for roll off there were a record 20 riders, two up on the record set last week. I think there were three first timers and two guests. It used to be that it was more like 09:45 before people started turning up but many now enjoy a more leisurely pre ride coffee and chat, some even their breakfast.

I thought this could be one of those challenging (for the leader(s) "herding cats" runs when trying to cater for a wide range of fitness levels, plus new faces, meant riders ended up all over the place and we lost some. But roll off went well, with no one sprinting off ahead, and by the time we did the left turn just north of Cooden station to do a rolling regroup and reassess if we needed a permanent split of the run all was looking promising. The regroups at the T junction just north of Hooe and the disused garage forecourt by the Bull s Head Boreham Street worked well with no long waits for the Grupetto.

Duncan and his boys on Boreham Street

With a large group the narrow road and double white lines as you leave Boreham Street are a bit of an issue for impatient motorists. Nothing is allowed to cross the white lines if slow moving traffic is going more than 15mph, otherwise drivers are liable to pick up three points on their licence, as I know from personal experience........ Twenty riders in single file with no breaks does not allow impatient drivers to pull in if they are suddenly faced by an oncoming car, so you all need to ride at 25 mph plus (not the BBR .....) or leave some breaks for cars to drop in between smaller groups.

Quick efficient service at Starbucks

Soon after the Bodle Street Green regroup, the start and finish for the ESCA Hard Riders TT on Sunday 20 March (online entries open on the CTT web site), Alex stopped to help Fabien sort out his saddle height. It was great to see Alex, who was the strongest rider amongst us, making a rare BBR appearance. It was less than three years so that he was introduced to club cycling by us. He rapidly took to it and had a good season road racing last year riding for a team and is second claim with us. I left them behind and carried on to the regroup at Rushlake Green with everyone setting off for the cafe stop as I waited to mark the turn for Alex and Fabien. Alex has learnt how to judge pace very well and kept me and Fabien on his wheel as we set off in pursuit of everyone else. Alex had us riding echelon in to the wind along the level just after Wartling, but not quite at the 28mph he, Stuart and Barney managed to hold in to a strong head wind on one of their recent team training rides ready for the imminent first SERRL event of the year. So chapeau to Alex for riding well below his capability to set just the right pace for me and Fabien for many miles, just what club runs are all about.

With so many people out we had agreed in Di Paolo's that we should try Starbucks near Pevensey roundabout for the coffee break. Last week with a slower than usual Gruppetto (I think) and 16 or so at Chilley Farm taking a while to polish off their bacon butties it was apparently nearer 14:00 that the ride finished? This week we were back in Bexhill before 13:00 thanks to a lot quicker turn around in Starbucks, although I think there were only 14 of us in there since several had cut off mid ride to go elsewhere and one or two did not want to stop.

Unless anyone comes up with other ideas I think that with any more than 12 wanting a coffee break on the ride we ought to use Starbucks when it is cold/wet in the winter since we struggle to get 12 in to Pevensey Bakery and it is not very warm at Chilley Farm plus it takes quite a while at the farm if everyone is ordering Bacon Butties etc.

Chris P

30/1-BBR: Girl Power

After pulling out of the 'Hill & Mills' audax due to a chest infection and forecast of heavy rain , I arrived early at Di Paulos's all kitted out in a cheap waterproof ready to take on the weather but relieved not to have to worry about icy conditions.

Warm welcome to Caroline on her first BBR

Next to arrive was Celia who was looking forward to her second BBR. Celia has only recently come back to cycling having purchased a second hand carbon road bike. She said she liked the bike but complained to me about how much movement there was on the stem. When I found out that this was one of those adjustable jobs I advised her to get rid of it as soon as possible, telling her the story of how I used to have one until the bolt in the centre snapped  leaving me holding handlebars that were no longer attached to the bike , resulting in a nasty crash face down into the road. This must have played on her mind, as within a few miles of starting the ride she would go on to complain to others about the stem flex and  abandoned the ride to head straight for the bike shop to have it replaced with a solid stem!

The cafe soon began to fill up ,so that by the time everyone arrived we had eclipsed last weeks attendance by an additional two people to give a record 20 riders. As well as Celia we had Sue Landy and Caroline on their first ever BBR. We also had some new male riders; Derek had brought along his friend Jim and Duncan had brought along his two youngest sons Conor and Jem ( just how many sons has Duncan got?)

After a couple of weeks absence, my fellow St Richards inmate, young Theo Tadros was there but informed us that this would be his last BBR for some time as the TT seasons begins in February and he would be time trialling every weekend  with his Dad (local TT legend Pete Tadros) until their rest period in late summer.

Sue outperforms most of the men despite it being her first ever BBR

By the time we set off, the rain had just about petered out and my new bright red waterproof was flapping about in the wind, doing a good impression of  a small sail so at the first opportunity I took it off even though I would end up feeling slightly chilled for the rest of the ride. 

I found it especially heartening to see see Tom out again  , but sans his Bianchi which is still awaiting the obscure crank bolt it needs to get back on the road . This left Tom with his old faithful steel audax bike but this was definitely the heaviest (and oldest ) bike on the ride.

Chris took us again on the Tilley lane variation due to all the flooding but many of us actually prefer this variation over the 'standard horse walk' variation and would happily do this all the year round. 

The only really big hill is Boreham street. Having had a couple of low mileage weeks, my legs felt well rested and I found it an easy climb and  arrived about half
way up the long string of riders grinding their way to the top.Duncan's sons look young and very slim, so I hope they didn't mind waiting to long for the whole company to arrive at the top?

The rest of the ride proceeded without any incidents at all , not even a puncture! With all the recent rain there was a great deal of water running down some of the roads but this was always flowing down the sides so was easily avoided.

Today's Boreham Street league table

By Rushlake green, our numbers were down to 16 as Malc D, Duncan and his boys had broken away for other engagements. All that was left was to head east along the A271 ,then turn south for Pevenesey. Feeling strong and with gravity on my side I decided to pump the old leg muscles a bit harder and found myself overtaking everybody (or so I thought) with only Andy L able to stay with me.

Eventually Andy's superior leg strength got the better of me and he towed me the last couple of miles into the Starbuck's cafe' . Here I was surprised to see that we were not the first to arrive as both Tom and Sue's bikes were proudly propped up outside. This was particularly impressive as this was Sue's first ever BBR and Tom was on his old steel audax bike.Sue was ecstatic about the BBR having thoroughly enjoyed it , so I think we have gained a regular BBR rider there? Derek's pal Jim also rode really well, despite being on flats and a  borrowed bike he kept up with the main field so hopefully he will also join us again?

We were trying out the 'Starbucks'' for the first time as our numbers are now so large that it takes too long to get served at Chile farm. Myself and lord Buss understand why we may have to switch to this cafe but I must admit we did feel homesick for the friendly ambience of the 'warming room' at Chile farm.

Many thanks to 'The Colnel' for leading another wonderful BBR.

PS-Myself and some of the regulars wont be there next week as we are doing our annual 'Snargate Social'. This ride will go ahead no matter what the weather as I need to shed my unfortunate moniker of cancellation Curt!

Steve C

Wednesday Chain Gang - Fashionably Late

'The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it.' Franklin P Jones

'The trouble with being punctual is that the buggers ride off early.' Neil D Smith

I rode past the beach shelter and whipped up and down Galley Hill, expecting to join the group in good time. I arrived back at the shelter to find they had already gone! Was I late, or did the marvellous and mischievous Hoddster see me and wave the group off? I believe I was on time! Whatever the truth, I now faced a solo ride into the westerly wind to catch them up, light rain spitting and spinning around, but not enough to make me wet.

Part-way to the De La Warr, I saw a flashing red light - a back-marker to chase and catch! I reeled him in on Bexhill front, shouted 'hi Steve!' and then realised it was Keri. He was going too slowly for us to work together, so I pressed on, peering as far ahead to see the back of the group, but there was no sign of them at all. Ugh! I resigned myself to making the ride alone to Pevensey. The breeze was quite stiff, but not terrible, and I averaged 26kph on the outward leg. That's a long way off my best of 36.8kph, and further still from the KoM speed of 42.6kph!

The rain was light, as I have said, but there was considerable standing water on the marsh lanes with large puddles spread across the tarmac, with gravel and stones lying about. I was glad of my mudguards, but my feet still got a soaking. Everywhere was water and wind, and nowhere in sight was another cyclist. I rode on, dodging the deeper puddles, flying effortlessly up up Spooky Hill (er, maybe), and water-skiing down the western slope into the sodden marshes. I arrived at the roundabout to find 14 other riders and received a fair amount of abuse for being 'late' to the start. Ok, I confess, it was indeed a school-boy error and on a windier night I would have paid a higher price.

But as it was, it went ok and we were soon spinning back to Bexhill. I was hanging just off the back of the ultras, with Malc D, before we dropped off slightly on Spooky. Malc recovered more quickly than me and sped off, reaching another solo rider that he then rode with as a pair to the lights. I had another solo ride. I think the universe is telling me something, like 'ride faster'.

I'm still enjoying the Cannondale 'cannonball' CAADX. The ride quality is superb and, generally, the extra weight is only a problem on longer hills. It's so nice to ride that I can live with its limitations. The cyclocross gearing (46/36T chain set with a 9-speed 11/28 cassette) is plenty. I have spun out in the 46T maybe once or twice on the steepest of hills, and I realise that I could ride just on that chain ring most of the time. A wider spread at the back for hills (a 32T) would cover most situations, but of course the trade off would be bigger steps between the gears. Again, not sure how big a deal that is really. For the chain gang, I slip some Giant P-SL1 wheels onto the bike with 25mm Four Season tyres, taking a kilo off the weight of the bike and, more importantly, greatly reducing the rotating mass and consequent effort. I guess I could save weight elsewhere by swapping out the seat post, saddle, stem and bars, but there is nothing I can do about the weight of the frame, although I think it's only about 1.6kg (the CAAD12 alu frame is 1.15kg). It makes a great bad weather and training bike that you could tour on, if you wanted. I like metal bikes and my experience with the cannonball has made me think that a CAAD10 or 12 would be a good buy, given the level of kit you get compared to a similarly priced carbon-framed bike.

As is my habit, I turned around at the lights for a second ride of the chain gang route, escorting Stewart B to Cooden and Peter B to Normans Bay. I am not sure why, but Peter seemed incapable of properly hearing anything I said, our conversations going something like:

'How did it go tonight?'
'Fine Peter, a good return leg with the wind'.
'Eh?'
'I said it was a good return leg with the WIND'.
'Wha..?'
'I said IT WAS A GOOD RETURN LEG! FAST!! YES? HELLO? Oh, FFS, you deaf old bastard'.
'Don't you call me Jeff'.

And so on, much to the amusement of Stewart who wanted to know at what age he too would become a useless old fart. I said 'at the same age as Peter' which, of course, he did not hear. I give up. I don't think I'd be too good at caring for the elderly, not enough patience.

Not much else to report really folks - I dropped Peter at the 'Normans Bay Home for the Bewildered' and rode on the the roundabout, turned around and splashed my way home. Steve 'Gadget' Ferguson did not accompany me this week as his battery-pack was running low. I offered to recharge it on the third rail at Herbrand, but he was not keen, muttering something about 'surge protection' and 'delicate electronics'.

I wonder if he could fit Peter with bionic ears? Just a thought.

Ride safely, Neil