Box Hill Four Peaks- Improver's Spring Special

The final (and best?) Improver's Spring Special of 2016 was another new one based on a heavily modified sportive gpx that I found somewhere.

All week I had been carefully checking the weather forecast hoping that it would be dry on Saturday. fortunately the predicted weather for the Box Hill area was dry (unlike Hastings) ,so it was on!

We could only muster a field of five riders but sometimes more is less as when there is a smaller group it gives a chance for everyone to get to know each other better.

It was quite a long drive (1.5 hours) to get to the start of the ride at Rudgwick but it well worth making the effort as the countryside in this area is simply incredible. I had randomly picked a pub as a convenient meeting point but there was no on street parking. Fortunately the pub had a large car park which the proprietor was happy for us to use once we had informed him we would be going to the pub for post ride drinks.

The first eight miles were easy flat well surfaced roads, this was ideal as it gave us time to warn up before the first of the four main peaks. With Peter Baker and Patrick with us , myself peter Brehme and Mick were worried the pace was going to be a bit outside our ability but Patrick is a very considerate leader and assured us he would stick to Improver's pace especially as he was also leading the Sunday club the next day .

Our first real challenge was the two mile 5% climb up to pitch hill windmill. This was followed by a rapid descent down to an amazing little village called Peaslake. This is a Mecca for mountain bikers as from here there are so many mtb trails branching off in all directions.

A Mecca for MTB

We now had to regain all our lost height as we headed towards the equally high Holmberry hill. I was slightly off the pace of the others so when Peter Bk punctured I told the others that I would carry on and they would catch me up. Unbeknown to me Peter Br decided to set off with me but a deer shot out in front of him and by the time he had got going again I was out of sight




With the warm sun now shining I was really getting into the zone and the old leg muscles were working great. The road surfaces were excellent and everywhere you looked there were roadies blasting down the descents and grinding up the climbs. Time seemed to fly as I passed the highest point on the route near to leith hill. With two garmins on board I wasnt worried about getting lost but at one point point one garmin said turn left while the other said go straight on, very odd!
While deciding which Garmin to follow I took a moment to check my phone only to realise that Patrick had left a voice message for me, saying that if I was lost and behind them (I am after all geolexic) , they would wait ahead for me. Feeling guilty about being so far in front I sat down at a convenient road junction and waited for them to arrive.

It was nice to have company once again as we dropped down down from the hills to the town of Dorking. From here there is a short but nasty little climb along a busy narrow road towards Ranmore common. Unfortunately peter Bk had his second puncture at the worst possible moment. We were in danger of blocking the road or getting run over so Patrick  waved us forward while he and peter Bk headed back down the hill to a far safer location to fix the errant tyre.

We rolled on towards the snakes of the  of Boxhill . This famous hill rises to a height of 700m but at no point can it be called hard due to the alpine switch back nature of the road and the still super smooth tarmac that was laid down for the 2012 Olympic road race. If  Peaslake is a Mecca for MTB then Boxhill is the Mecca for roadies. Bikes must out number cars about three to one on this magnificent climb. By now we were all hungry and so joined the queue for the National trust cafe at the top.The excellent sausage rolls and tea were well worth the wait.

Box Hill summit is always busy 

The land drops away on all sides from Boxhill so we plenty of practice to hone our descending skills before reaching the start of the next climb up towards Combe Bottom. This peak is lower than the others at 600 feet but I would say that this one was the toughest as you have to climb for 9 miles before reaching the top.

After a couple of short but steep little climbs it was 11 miles of  fast flat riding all the way back to the cars. Peter Br's endurance was beginning to falter slightly and was relieved to reach the end of the ride.

This was a really enjoyable ride and a fitting end to the Improver's Spring Specials. We plan to do this one again next year but will make it even harder by including most of the official leith hill road climb.









Steve C

Pre-BBR Special - Eastbourne Sportive ‘Lite’ Route via Horam, Littlington and Beachy Head - Geolexia is Real!

“Where am I?”

 “Littlington Peter, near the Long Man, East Sussex…”

“How did I get here, only I think I’d like to come again.”

We were recovering from a soaking at Littlington garden centre and cafe, a rather eccentric place, lost in a Victorian time bubble. We’d sheltered at Wilmington, but the rain was so torrential that the large oak we hid under could not keep us dry. The aim had been to ride the Eastbourne Sportive long route, missing out Bo Peep for the sake of time and our legs. The poor weather meant that we also missed out the Alfriston to Seaford loop and were heading direct to the foot of Exceat.

“That’s a lovely idea Peter” I said patronisingly.

“So, how did I get here, I mean, how WOULD I get here if I wasn’t already here?”

I hesitated, feeling slightly confused. “Well, you’d drive here the same way you cycled.”

There had been three of us, but Tom had gone directly back to Eastbourne from Wessons cafe in Horam. We’d chatted briefly to some riders from Tonbridge Wells who were impressed with the cafe and the prices, compared to their Velo Cafe. The chap sitting next to us was tucking into the ‘Big Daddy’ which had, I think, a piece of steak as well as chips, sausage, mushrooms and all the trimmings. He rolled a fag afterwards and sipped from a mug of tea, a contented man.

We started the ride at Normans Bay, as is traditional for any pre-BBR ride, heading up to Rushlike Green via Wartling, Tilley Lane and Bodle Street Green, against a blustery headwind. Tom was on his zero-hydration strategy as carrying liquid slows you down, apparently. I used to think he regularly forgot to fill a bottle, but this is a deliberate ploy to reduce energy expenditure and increase speed. Tom, your secret is out!

The route dives south-west from Rusklake to Amberstone, via Cowbeech and across the top of Herstmonceux. Having headed ‘down’, we turned north-west and headed ‘up’ the south slope of Grove Hill. But first, a puncture.

"Which hole do I put it in?"

Tom and I resisted the temptation to make puerile jokes (you know, of the 'Bishop said to the Actress' variety), and did our best to help. To be fair, the pump had three possible places into which the CO2 cylinder could fit.

"The one with the spike, to pierce the cylinder", said Tom. This did not help much as neither Peter or I had our glasses on. There was some writing around one of the holes but it might have been written in Elvish for all the good it did us. Peter tried the cylinder in all three ports - no joy. I tried - no joy. Peter tried again. At this point, watching and listening to two bumbling old farts, Tom’s patience wore thin.

“Have you EVER done this before?”

Eventually, the cylinder was mated with the right hole and the gas, somehow, made its way into the inner tube. Job done, we rode on as a loose and rather un-coordinated trio, freewheeling into Wessons at 09:30 (BBR ‘Di Paulo’ time). Breakfast was in full-swing, the tables groaning under the weight of full-english’s and the patrons’ fleshy forearms. I noticed that we were somewhat lacking in the tattoo department (sorry, I’m displaying the prejudices of my upbringing - my mother said that people with tattoos… Well, never mind what my mother said).

We waved off Tom and headed toward Golden Cross via Gun Hill, on a truly shocking piece of East Sussex tarmac. That said, it’s a lovely area and the weather was still bright at this stage. We rolled along at a pleasant wind-assisted speed, the route committed to my memory rather than the Garmin. This is because I can’t work out how to add a gpx file and because the memory on my Edge 200 is always brimming over, but it’s also more fun to ride without staring at a piddly screen.

We safely negotiated the A22 and enjoyed the fast, mainly downhill lanes, powering along with the wind at our backs. We turned left at Selmeston to avoid Bo Peep and that’s when I first saw it. Up ahead, looming dark and heavy, a mass of black cloud sat across the back of the Downs, a thick curtain of rain dragging along below. It was not heading towards us, but we were heading towards it!

The rain started in earnest as we crossed into Wilmington. I pulled over to wait for Peter on a patch of dry road under the oak tree. He arrived as the rain came on full-bore. Our island of dry tarmac shrank ever smaller as water ran from the road towards the gutter, joining the flow from the fields ahead. The drips from the tree became heavier and more frequent, falling like water bombs onto our helmets, shoulders and legs. It was miserable, the only consolation was that we were drier than if we’d carried on cycling.

Having waited out the deluge, we decided to dry off at the cafe in Littlington, the steady climb out of Wilmington rewarded with the long and fast descent down Chapel Hill, which is where we rejoin our story…

“Peter, you would drive here the same way as you rode here.”

“I would? But what about the turnings?”

“There were no turnings, only bends - you’ve just cycled straight here!”

“Ok, so run it past me - how WOULD I drive here?”

“Head towards Polegate…”

“Polegate? Oh yes…”

“…and then use the bypass…”

“The bypass..?”

I talked over him, raising my voice: “then turn left at the roundabout and head towards Lewes.”

“I don’t want to go to Lewes…”

“AND THEN, turn left at Wilmington and keep driving - it’s simple.”

I should at this point explain ‘Geolexia’, a newly identified condition whereby the sufferer has no idea where they are, how they got there and how to get back to wherever it was they started from. Peter is a sufferer and so are Steve Curtiss and Mal C. They deserve our support and our help. Every day is a navigational challenge, starting with getting out of bed without climbing out of a window, finding the bathroom without pissing on Grandma, and making breakfast in your own and not the neighbour’s kitchen.

I think I have Hypergeodesia - the ability to find my way without much trouble at all and generally to know where the hell I am at any given moment. I don't know how lucky I am. Peter thinks I have ‘Severiorum Spuria’ (that’s ‘Grumpy Bastard Syndrome’ in English), an accurate diagnosis to which can be added ‘Impatiens Asinum’ (Impatient Arse). But my new bike was by this time plastered in muddy water - I mean, come on! We had Exceat and Beachy Head to climb, and by now we were two hours behind schedule. This was clearly his fault as the whole ride was his idea.

Somehow, we moved on from grumpiness and bewilderment to restart the ride. Exceat is a good stiff climb hindered by a narrow road and heavy traffic. I got nervous as flatbed trucks scraped past me and short-tempered with an Audi driver who tried to give me a lift to the top on his wing mirror. We rode on and stopped in Pevensey for some photos, and Peter for a fry-up before parting ways.

“So, you’d be home earlier than usual, would you?” The clock was nudging 14:00.

“Er, well, it was Peter, he, er, had some problems.”

“Oh yes, of course, it couldn't be YOUR fault, could it? You have to blame poor Peter. You know full well that he’s Geolexic, he’s relying on you and this is how you treat him, behind his back, I expect you’ll be cruel in the blog as well, won’t you, eh? That poor man, really, I don’t know why he bothers…”

“Well, I did have a puncture on Cooden Drive…” I stuttered.

“That’s all well and good, but you know how to fix them, don't you? Did you help Peter? No? I thought not, just stood there laughing I shouldn't wonder, instead of helping out.”

I recalled Peter’s parting words: “I do enjoy our little adventures”. I paused, smiled to myself and thought ‘“what a load of b******s.”

Safe riding, Neil

H&StL CC’s Wednesday evening Ninfield Oak TT 25 May

Good weather Wednesday afternoon encouraged 12 riders to ride the short Ninfield course in the evening, the traffic lights having been removed last week for the Rovers version of the course on Thursday then reinstated down the road on Friday  ……

Seven of the riders who rode last week’s short course went quicker, so it was a good evening, with just one rider from last week being seconds down on last week.

In Gear’s Pete Tadros (18.15) posted the quickest time again with his 14 year old son Theo (21.37) producing a very impressive ride to record the second best time.  Pete has been winning and getting top places in Open TTs in the South for some years but one or two younger riders are now pushing him hard, how many years before Theo is quicker than Dad ?!!?

Ivan Johnson (21.46) won the club event ahead of Jon Molton (22.03) and 14 year old Fabien Large (22.10).

 Ollie Chapman (27.52) rode his first TT of the year but had some problems with his bike.  Although still classed as a junior in CTT events Ollie has now turned 18.

Chris P

Tubby Tuesday Training 24/5 - The Missing Link

A solid turnout of seven riders for more Tubby Tuesday Training and first time for Nigel F who we haven't seen for a while. keri was supposed to be joining us tonight but he does have a bit of reputation for being late so I wasn't totally surprised not to see him there  Those damn traffic lights are still near the bottom of Battery Hill and as usual we got caught by the red light.

Zac finds the missing link

Released from Battery Hill we were moving along the flat road at a good pace especially considering the cold headwind that was buffering us. The pace was too fast for myself and Ricky but the Tubbies are well disciplined and were correctly waiting for us at the first regrouping point.

It was a relief to have the wind now at our backs as we headed out along the lovely float lane and up onto the Broad Oak drag. I was feeling pretty tired as I rolled up to the road junction with Ricky to rejoin the others.

We were not totally sure of the name of the connecting lane between Brede and Sedlescombe, so carefully scanned the partially hidden road sign as we entered it. The name turned out to be 'Pottery Lane' although myself and Patrick thought a more fitting name would be Pot-hole lane!

There are a few sharp little climbs on this lane. One of them proved too much for Zac's chain which unfortunately snapped. Unusually but also fortuitously , it was the connecting link which had broken. Zac wasn't sure what to do and was going to ring 'International Rescue' (his dad) but the others rallied round and Derek dug out an 11 speed 'missing link' . These can be awkward to snap into place but a well timed kick down on the pedal by Patrick did the job.

We all took it pretty easy on the cottage lane climb up to Westfield with some of our party planning an all out assault on Stonestile lane. Their plans worked out brilliantly as our party scored four PBs on stonestile (Patrick, Zac, Derek and Ricky)

Awaiting us at the top of the climb was keri. He had indeed been late and had missed the departure but at least he had done most of the route, having got ahead by cutting out the Sedlescombe part of the route. Hopefully he will be there at the start next week?

Steve C

17/5 Tubbie Tueday Training- The Caveman Effect

Another successful Tubby Tuesday training this week with a different mixture of riders. This week we were joined for the first time  by 'The Caveman' , Ricky and Peter Brehme. Peter has not ridden over this side of town before so all the roads would be new to him. last to arrive was Andy C who had already completed 22 miles.On the way over he came across a solitary rider from Rye called Tom who decided to tag along with us.

Near the bottom of Battery Hill the traffic lights were again back in action . Even though I noticed them in plenty of time, its surprisingly just how much force needs to be applied in time to brake on such a steep incline.

As usual we rode the rather wonderful float lane but no so wonderful was the cold headwind we had to endure (when is the air going to warm up?). Tom left us at this point to head for Rye while we ascended the Broad-Oak drag, glad for the muscle heat this generated

Andy left us at Broad oak while we continued towards Brede lane. The lane did not seem so intimidating this time, as long as you take it easy and are aware of the need to check for potholes and irregularities, its fine.

Having lost some weight recently I found the climb from Sedlescombe to Westfield a bit easier this week although my climbing ability is poor compared to Peter's who has improved tremendously since he joined the club last Febuary. Once he gets his new super light weight Canyon there will be no stopping him.

We were looking forward to seeing Peter's reaction to Stonestile lane. Peter took it in his stride and was soon out of sight of myself and Ricky who were last men up the hill. Peter enjoyed the route and the chance to ride over the eastern end of our range so hopefully the Tubbies will see him again.

Stonestile is easy peasy for Peter 

Our pace was quite a lot higher (16.2 mph) than the previous excursion (perhaps this is a caveman effect?) but 'Improvers' should not be put off by this because the ride is the same route every week and there are regrouping points at : top of Float lane, Broad-oak, Sedlescombe, Westfield and Stonestile lane.

Steve C

H&StL CC’s Wednesday evening Ninfield Oak TT 18 May

Ivan is going well on his fixie

 Yesterday afternoon was rather grim and grey , with some bright spells and rain.  Nine riders turned up to sign on for the first event of the year at Ninfield despite the heavy sky.  Stuart had been round the circuit putting up warning signs and reported that short term traffic lights were in place between the public entrance to Herstmonceux Castle and the Lamb Wartling.  Since we had plenty of timekeepers and help to hand we decided to have a warm up run before starting a short course the other side of the lights.  The first part of the new Pevensey 10 course to the Lamb on the Marsh and up to the usual finish at the Ninfield village sign still made for a good mid week work out.  Times were:

Business as usual for Pete T

Peter Tadros (In Gear)     18.26

Ivan Johnson                     21.49

Jon Molton                        22.17

Neil Smith                           23.14

Gareth Purves                    23.36

Simon Grogan                   24.17

Greg Blackwell                  25.18

Chris Parker                       26.32

Keri Purves                         27.07


We made it to the Red Lion Hooe for drinks and cheesy chips before the rain started again.  The Wednesday Wheelers were not so lucky and arrived shortly after us looking rather damp.

 The road works and lights were due to completed today and the lights gone so all should be OK for next week.  Next week I will confirm all is back to normal and send round a table of times from last year.


Chris P

H&StL CC’s Wednesday evening Broad Oak TT 11 May

H&StL CC’s Wednesday evening Broad Oak TT 11 May

I had not picked up the results from the previous week at Broad Oak until yesterday.  It must have been a very good evening with 10 PBs, 3 going quicker than their ride the previous week and three others producing quick times in a field of 16 riders.

Ivan Johnson (21.19) won the club event with 14 year old Fabien Large (22.14) setting a PB with second place again ahead of Steve Butcher (22.21) and Jon Molton (22.22) who were separated by just one second.


13 year old Tyler Chapman (30.08) set a PB by 16 seconds and no doubt will break 30 minutes when we return to the course in August.


There were more extra quick times in private time trials including:  the fastest by In Gear’s Peter Tadros (18.06) 25 seconds quicker than the previous week, Rye’s Damien Ford (19.03 PB) 50 seconds quicker than the previous week, VC Liberte’s Trevor Deeble (19.43) joining the sub 20 minute elites with a 20 second improvement on his PB and In Gear’s 14 year old Theo Tadros (21.42) improving his PB by a massive 1 minute 13 seconds.

 

Chris Parker

H&StL L Cycling Club General Secretary