On a cold and dank Saturday morning many brave Redhill cyclists set off from Woodhatch for a morning of pleasant riding and also some hill-inducing torture.
For reasons beyond me, I was ride leader of the G4, G5,G6, G7 etc groups. Looking at the crew of fast boys amoung us I was considering going home early feigning bubonic plague or some other terrible condition.
Amongst the peloton were the ever-fast boys: Rupert, Sean, Angus and Mike... plus the very quick youngsters Hamish and Will. And then the slightly older chaps: Peter F, Brian C...oh and me.
Our ride set off down Lonesome Lane, turrning left and then across the flat lands to the first pain inducer: Turners Hill.
Everyone climbed this without too much problem showing signs of what great form they have.Turning right and next left found us speeding towards Ardingly. Dropping down to the bottom to the resevoir (a very slippery road) and climbing back up to Balcombe. Now all the boys - in an unusual turn of events - voted on going for tea and cakes...not normally the thing on these rides but as it was Mike’s birthday we headed to the cafe at Borde hill. Happy Birthday Mike... oh and thanks Peter for the tea because like the Queen, I didn’t carry any money.
Refreshed and eager to continue we set off once again towards Ardingly town via College Road .Turning left into Ardingly and then right into Cobb lane we headed up Hook lane (...and I do mean up), through West Hoathly towards Sharpthorne. Now heading South West we surged uphill again until we thundered down Priory road to Forrest Row.(touching 40mph).
Turning left onto the A22 and then right again uphill to Ashurst wood. At this point the youngsters were showing their class. Angus and young Will were powering on in front (Will power!). Turning right onto Holtyre road, sadly we lost contact with Brian and Peter. Sorry chaps... needs must but shouldn’t have happened!
Taking the next left towards Edenbridge we were beginning to feel the strain. Well, I know I was and I think Hamish and Mike were too.
Riding through Dormansland and Lingfield, past the race course and heading now for Newchapel and onto the TT course. Dont think any of us fancied a quick tt at this stage. Back again at Smallfield and then home, covered in road dirt and feeling tired. It was a ride that had something for everyone and Rupert got his first tea break of the year!
A huge thanks again to the guys who dragged me around and of course for their great company. If we have riders of this quality, next season will be great.
The stats
time .....3hrs 25mins + tea stop
distance 59.77miles
3,793ft of climbing
Average speed 17.5 mph
Max speed 40mph
stuart greig