The ride started at Langney Shopping Centre, Eastbourne with five tandems, one towing a kiddies trailer, and one solo. The storms from the night before had not yet cleared. We headed out with strong wind and very heavy rain as we went by the Levels. We came across a few flooded sections, going through one which was somewhat deeper we heard some cries from the trailer and found that Christopher was sitting in a pool of water. By now the rain had stopped, so we drained the trailer, squeezed out some of his clothes and headed straight to the pub at Warbleton by Cowbeech where there was a nice log fire to warm him up and to dry out Christopher clothes.
After lunch it was back into the wind. We dropped down onto the old railway track (Cuckoo Trail) to Polegate which gave us some shelter from the wind. Cyclepaths took us back to Langney and my place for welcome hot drinks and hot mincepies.
The ride was organised by Tim and started at Three Bridges with two tandems & two solos. Tim met us at the start with Anne who was taking him to the airport as he was flying out to the States for work.
We headed north joining the cycleway round Gatwick to Horley. We then found another cycle path to take us to Smallfield. Carrying on East the ride passed Lingfield, Scarletts lakes. At Holtye Common we headed south to Hartfield for lunch. About two miles short of lunch Liz & Ken rear tyre wall decided to start to swell. They made it to the pub where it was changed for another while waiting for the food to arrive.
After lunch we went up into Ashdown forest passing near Phoo's Bridge to Turners Hill where we could almost freewheel back to the start & afternoon tea at Tim and Anne's house. Tim had been kind enough to bake a chocolate cake for us before flying off to the States.
The October ride started at Shoreham Airport, and several made use of the convenient cafe to increase their energy levels for the ride. We were all glad the day was pleasant and warm after the miserable wet and windy Saturday, especially as it meant that Liz and Ken abandoned their option of some off-road along the South Downs Way!
A fast start past Lancing College took the seven tandems, a child trailer and a solo to Bramber then through Upper Beeding. Tim and Anne had the first puncture, which was rapidly repaired. We then followed along the bottom of the South Downs to Fulking then north through Woodmancote towards Wineham. Just before the village proper we turned left down a small lane then on to a very pleasant bridleway running alongside the Rive Adu. Here Neville and Trish had the second puncture of the day, and also the third immediately after as they had not found the cause the first time.
Lunch was at the Windmill in Littleworth, and we were made very welcome in the small bar. The main meal was excellent, but avoid the "Deep Fried Ice cream parcel" which came still frozen and certainly not deep fried. View Picture of group
A rapid ride south along the B2135 was followed by pleasant lanes towards Wiston. Here Hillary and Robert had the fourth and final puncture of the day. Passing the impressive Wiston House, complete with its own chapel and extensive parkland, we dropped down into Steyning for tea and Danish pastries at Truffles.
As we were running late we decided not to go up Steyning Bowl (thank goodness) and took the Downs Link to rejoin our outward route at Botolphs and then returned to the airport.
As usual an excellent ride by Liz and Ken, who even managed to organise the one day break in the awful weather. It was great to welcome Hillary and Robert riding their wedding present - friends and relatives contributed different components to the tandem. A far better present than a toaster!
Seven tandems, one with a trailer, and a solo met just behind the control tower at Shoreham Airport for our October ride. The morning was bright and cool, which was a very great relief after the heavy rain that had poured down all the previous day.
We set off northwards past Lancing College through Steyning to Bramber where the first puncture of the day occurred. We then went eastwards along the edge of the downs to Fulking with excellent views of the many paragliders drifting beside Devil’s Dyke. Next we turned northwards again through the lanes, which were busy with horses and quite a few other cyclists but thankfully not too many cars.
Next came a mile or so of rather wet bridleway and the next two punctures. The second one happening in the same tyre about three pedal revolutions after it had been fixed. There were some questions asked about whether the stoker had handed back the duff tube rather than the new one, but these were vehemently denied! Anyway Christopher enjoyed the stops as it gave him a chance to toddle about rather than be strapped into his trailer.
Lunch at Littleworth followed, which was a rather protracted affair. It appeared that the kitchen staff could only handle one order at a time, so it was about 2.00pm by the time we had all finished eating. Still, as usual, we found plenty to talk about and we had lots of tandem photos to look at of Neville and Tricia’s globetrotting.
In the afternoon we headed back to Steyning for tea via Wiston Park and one more puncture, getting back to the airport just as the late afternoon chill started to set in.
The September ride started at Polegate East Sussex. The 4 mile ride from our home address to the start resulted in us getting extremely wet from the thick mist. However, by the time the 3 tandems and 2 solos moved off the sun was shining and we embarked on the hottest ride of the year. Not the best day for forgetting your drinks bottles as we and David and Caroline did.
The outward journey took us across the flat Pevensey Marshes passing various wildlife and with the views of the old Greenwich Observatory at Hertmonceux castle. A long slow climb took us up through Cowbeech, Rushlake Green, Dallington and onto the Swan Public House at Woods Corner for lunch. Whilst eating lunch one of our party thought we were at a Naturist venue and removed their shorts, underwear and "nappy". Young Christopher's example was not followed by anyone else. Due to the heat several pints of Harveys were consumed (weren't they Clem)!
After lunch a welcome 3 mile downhill run gave the beer time to settle before the couple of short steep hills caught everyone out except Liz and Ken whose turbo kicked in as usual. The return journey took us through Ninfield, Hooe (right through the centre of the village Michelmas Fayre) and Wartling where Christopher's trailer suffered a puncture. The repair took place while he slept on totally unaware of what was going on around him.
The last leg took us back across the Pevensey Marshes to the tea stop at the Old Loom Mill Cafe Hailsham. Tea, cakes and ice cream were consumed by all. We arrived safely back at Polegate in good time for Tim to catch his train back to Three Bridges.
As we were preparing our tandems in the car park in Lingfield, Neville nervously approached his stoker Tricia and announced that he had left one of her cycling shoes at home. Oh Dear! Of course Trica didn't believe him for a few minutes, but then after various offers of loans they decided to return home to collect them and join us later.
Turning to my tandem, I infalated the tires to full pressure, only to notice that there was a big bulge appearing in the rear tyre as the casing was about to fail. Fortunately Liz and Ken, who were camping nearby, had a spare at the campsite so Keith kindly gave Liz a lift to collect it.
After such an eventful start, it was good to eventually start cycling as we followed the route through Dormansland, along a pretty road past mill ponds to Holtye, then a few more ups and downs to join the Forest Way to Groombridge. In Groombridge we navigated through some small back roads, some of which were really too overgrown for our trailer, and headed towards High Rocks. Turning left we descended sharply, then an equally sharp ascent to Langton Green and then to Speldhurst.
As we arrived in Speldhurst Clem's chain became unshipped and got twisted into places it was never designed to go - the only way to free it was to split the chain. Neville and Tricia joined us just as Clem and Debbie rolled into the George and Dragon. Lunch in the garden outside was very pleasant in the fine weather, and young Christopher tried drinking from a pint glass for the first time (Picture). View Picture of group
The afternoon tea stop was at Chiddingstone, reached after a very fast descent to Penshurst and an easy bridleway section. I think that rif-raf such as us were not that welcome as we were forced to sit inside out of the way. The tea and cakes were excellent however.
We returned back to Lingfield via Edenbridge and Haxted Mill. Our legs were too tired so we missed out the afternoon off-road option.
After the inauspicious start, it turned into an enjoyable, though short ride, only 36 miles, but quite hilly and far enough in the very hot weather.
Six tandems, a solo and a child trailer met at Colin and Sally's house on the outskirts of Bognor Regis for the July ride.
We left Bognor on a series of cycle paths heading towards Chichester, before joining quiet roads through Colworth, Oving, Tangmere via the airfield and then the long climb up the South Downs where the tail wind was appreciated. A rapid descent took us to East Dean, and a flat ride along the valley brought us to the Weald and Downland open air Museum at Singleton.
The museum consists of many old buildings, notable for their methods of construction, which have been relocated and restored to their original form to show the way people in the area used to live.
The plan was to have a nice picnic in the sunshine, but of course it was cold and showery, so we went into the medieval house relocated from Sole Street, Kent near the tea room for our picnic.
We all enjoyed a few hours wandering around, and being entertained by the various groups of musicians and dancers performing early music. Young Christopher particularly enjoyed the dancers in the marketplace.
All too soon we had to regroup for the mainly downhill run to Chichester, first along the A286, then the Centurion Way, which is a railway line converted to a cycle track, complete with the obligitory sculpture. Colin and Sally punctured in the middle of Chichester, (Picture)providing a welcome rest before we returned via more cycle paths to their house for a lavish spread of cakes and tea.
Total distance around 30 miles.
The June ride was a joint ride with the South East London region. We had two rides starting from Horsham station. The family ride was led by John and Sue while the full ride set by Tim was led by Clem.
We headed out through the hilly lanes to Warninglid, and then across towards Southwater. We had to use a white road which turned out to be of a good surface. We then went onto the Downs Link to Southwater Country Park to meet up with the family group for coffee.
It was late by the time we left so the family group went straight to lunch at Two Mile Ash which was about three miles a way, while the other group put in a seven mile loop in before lunch. As the weather was nice we made full use of the garden.
After lunch we went all together back to Horsham were we spent a couple of hours at Horsham park were a band was playing & ice cream were had.
Thanks to Tim for sorting out the routes, and also for everyone who turn out for the rides.
This ride was held jointly with the South East London group, and the combined forces led to a record turnout.
The day was very well organised, with both fast and slow routes organised from each stop. This report only covers the slow ride.
The day started at Horsham station, and a quiet route took us from the centre and out towards Doomsday Green and Mannings Heath. A short spell on the A281 then back in the lanes through Nuthurst and Maplehurst to Copsale. A steep rise and a tricky barrier and we were cruising along the Downs Link to Southwater Country Park and the morning Coffee stop. The "fast" group arrived sometime later after a struggle through a bridleway section.
A very short route then took us to the lunch stop at the Pub at Two Mile Ash. As the weather was very pleasant we all ate outside and the kids had a good play on the green and swings opposite.
In the afternoon the slow and fast sections merged, however the access to the Downs link was too narrow for our trailer, so we had to take the road route to Christs Hospital while the others cycled along the converted railway line and the grounds of the school.
The route turned north heading through Broadbridge Heath to Warnham Station. Here the level crossing is closed on Sundays, so the tandems had to be carried down the stairs, under the pedestrian bridge for the station and lifted back up the other side. Perhaps we ought to petition for a simple pedestrian gate at the level crossing itself. An easy downhill run took us back into the outskirts of Horsham, where a navigational error by Clem added a mile or so to the total before we walked across the park in Horsham to the tea shop. The brass band playing in the bandstand and the crowds of people created a holiday atmosphere.
A very enjoyable ride - particularly for us after missing a few, and it was great to meet the South East London Group family section.
The start of the May ride was Ardingly reservoir, only a few miles from our home, so we planned to train and ride to the start. However, early morning swimming lessons delayed us so we put the Pino semi recumbent tandem on the back of the car. Fear not, eco warriors, we also picked up Frank and Pat, who live near by, saving a little bit more of the planet. A combination of poor sign posting and being in a hurry meant we missed the turn and didn't arrive until five minutes before the off. There were already five tandems, including new kids on the block Clive and Tina, and one solo tapping their feet impatiently so without further ado we set off. One family sadly absent from the ride were Dave, Caroline and Christopher. Ill ness had forced them to pull out, which was a bit of a blow, as Dave had planned the route.
To warm everyone up, we had a climb up into Ardingly village, past the college. We then shot down towards Horsted Keynes, passing under the Bluebell railway. After a few miles everyone began to notice the heat. It wasn't particularly warm by summer standards, but for early May it was hot enough - I guess everyone had their body thermostats still at the "winter" setting. The peleton spread out a little and we turned into the delightfully named Slugwash Lane - used as part of the route for the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton ride. This time there was another charity ride going along it, but we only saw a dozen or so riders and started chatting to them. One of them pulled along side me and asked if I was Tim Hall. Faced with such a tricky question, I could only agree. He replied he was too! He lives in Horsham and is a CTC member.
We left the charity riders at the south end of Slugwash Lane and after a well deserved rest proceeded towards a bridleway which our absent leader had assured us was passable. One look told us otherwise, as it was very muddy and churned up by horses. A quick detour was planned and we were on our way. After a few more miles we arrived at the pub at Goddards Green for a spot of lunch. Now for the important stuff. The beer was fine, and I hear the orange juice was as well. The menu was a bit on the pricy side but was nice enough. One of our party, Tina, had to send her meal ba ck as it was too big, too cheesy and had no spuds with it.
After lunch debate turned, as ever, to the route we should use that afternoon. It is an unwritten rule of Surrey and Sussex runs that regardless of what is planned originally for the afternoon, a change is always better. Dave had planned a visit to the tea rooms at Balcombe, but others felt these weren't open on a Sunday so a diversion to Borde Hill Gardens was incorporated. As the temperature rose through the afternoon, we quickly reached the tea stop and had a relaxing time with tea and cakes, although some of these were past their best and had to be sent back. From there Clive and Tina rode straight back to their house, while the rest of us returned to Ardingly, only a few miles distant.
We all arrived back safe and sound, with thirty mumble miles under our belts. A grand day out.
I'm still waiting Mark!
The ride started at Hassocks station with 5 tandems & 2 solos. The weather did itself proud by being warm & sunny. We headed south to the downs then east along the bottom for a few miles, enjoying a rare tail wind. The route then headed north through Barcombe and Newick.
Just before Fletching Clem had a rare puncture, providing the opportunity for some relaxation as as well as a useful delay before the pub opened. We then went through Fletching & headed over to Freshfield Halt for lunch at the Sloop.
After lunch we went round the east side of Haywards Heath then through the lanes towards East Chiltington. Dave had a go on the front of Tim's Pino Tandem, while Tim's wife Anne got used to the Ergopower gears on Dave's solo. Some pleasant bridleways took us past the racecourse to afternoon tea in Ditching.
After tea we headed back to Hassocks while Tim & Ann headed up to Wivelsfield to catch the train home. Everyone had a good day out.
We seem to be very lucky with the weather when we organise rides in February, as last year it was a beautiful clear and sunny day. This year we met up in the small village of Glynde just east of Lewes, and it was a good turnout, five tandems & two solos.
The ride took us north to begin with along fairly flat & quiet lanes. We passed the Lavender line railway at Isfield and on to the outskirts of Uckfield. At this point the ride took on a more hilly profile with a few short, sharp ups and downs followed by a longer climb up to the highest point of the day at Hadlow Down. From here, the route undulated to the lunch stop at Blackboys. We managed to annoy the chef by well over half of us ordering ham egg & chips because he apparently hated frying eggs.
After a decent rest we returned outside only to hold everybody else up by having to mend a puncture. Unfortunately the tyre side wall was in quite a state due, we think, to a rather vicious wet weather dynamo roller. On the positive side through it was good to have finally made use of the folding tyre that we been carrying round for well over a year for just such an occasion.
After lunch the route was fairly easy and we generally headed south back towards the start. We had a stop for tea and cake (and one enormous bowl of fruit crumble and cream for one stoker!) at the excellent, and very busy, Middle Farm shop on the A27.
From here it was only a short ride back to the start which made a total of about 40 miles.
The first ride of the year arrived and this time we, that is Sally and I weren't completely ready. We had managed to find a lunch stop but had not pre ridden the ride - something which was to become very apparent very early on.
We set off from Midhurst on a bright and very crisp morning, 4 Tandems one with a trailer and 2 Solos. It was great to see a new couple Keith and Jane Ring who we had met while out riding last year.
We had only covered about 3 miles and a climb we should not have done when I started to suspect my map reading - that will teach me to look at the map a little closer instead of chatting. Anyway a few minutes later and a quick change of route and we were off again. We all enjoyed the descent from the extra hill and eventually arrived sort of back on my intended route. In the end it all turned out okay and we arrived at our lunch stop in Selborne.
After a much needed revitalisation we set off on our return journey, we had not covered many miles when we realised we had become directionally challenged again. Still a quick change of route and we were off in search of our start point. A quick apology for the final hill which was a little worse than first expected. Still it was all downhill f rom there and we all arrived safe and sound back at the start having covered a very pleasant 36 miles.
Just time for a quick cup of tea and cake before departing.