First the 'Long Riders' headed off with the mid-routers as far as the split in Bunce Common Road. From here, the route would take them out as far as Cranleigh before looping back to join the mid route. Three RCC riders took gold on the 100milers - headed by Angus Brown who was first home with a stunning average a whisker under 17mph. He was joined in the golden ranks by Kev Stroud and Peter Farnfield. We hope warm baths and willing masseuses awaited all of you when you got home!

For the mid routers, the first section right to the top of Tower Road was familiar territory - spirits and speeds were all high. There was a joining of the pelotons just after Pease Pottage with Steve Taylor's well marshalled train picking up a few more riders and keeping the pace super-quick right the way through to... THE RESERVOIR.  

On a course of challenges, the climb after Ardingly Reservoir stands out. A few were heard to utter "that's the hardest hill over" but perhaps they hadn't checked that they'd be ascending Hornecourt Hill after 62 miles!

After the reservoir the undulations were fairly constant. Horsted Keynes, the climb to the top of Ashdown Forest for a much-needed fuel stop... then the swooping long descent and on to more ups-and-downs.

Unfortunately, it was not long after the Forest that the road maintenance wisdom/sanity of local authorities was called seriously into question. Passing the Hammerponds on the way by Cowden riders enjoyed perhaps 3/4mile of climbing through grit sprinkled as if into a cat litter tray. It went on-and-on-and-on. It's likely that many averages were dented and punctures caused by this issue done close enough to the event to preclude any last minute diversions.

It was after this point, the descent down to Dormansland that one of the heroes of the ride, Mike Ormerod, decided to show what makes him a legend at the age of 72. Just as some started to fade, he shouted "Let's get organised" and marshalled an RCC train in the spirit of Team Costello that picked the pace up to a proper lick for the last 12 miles. The Newchapel Road and Bones Lane section will live long in many memories.

Unfortunately #2 was the heavy rain that set in after noon had passed. For the first batch of 25 mid route finishers, it was no more than a quick soak before tea and flapjack back at base. For others, much more grim. Ian Taylor reckoned trench foot might have set in... Alan Bush riding solo had the rain and the Cowden grit together!

Among the mid-routers, Norwood Paragon's James Humphries along with recent RCC joiner and speed skating coach, Peter Armstrong, both achieved blistering speeds to make the top three places. 

The next bunch was the G5s with Matt Knowles and Stuart Bunt both putting in stonking times (Steve King and Chris Spiller would both have been with them but for cruel punctures/mechanicals). This bunch were followed shortly by Andy Gardner, (who showed his strength staying with the faster group throughout), Damon, Graham T and Steve Taylor.

After that, the Mike O train rolled through with Mike, Adrian, David Burnham and Andre Didon around the 4h09m mark.

For everyone else, too many to mention, there will be more tales of solo and duo battles against hills but the spirit was high throughout the RCC gang. The YMCA have already received so many compliments and I have to say, one of the highlights for all, once the final twist of Philanthropic Road was complete were the cheers that greeted every rider on return. And then the cakes, tea and goody bags.

Hats off to Ian and Kim at the YMCA who made it an event to remember and re-ride on all fronts.

Finally, Brian Costello did not ride the course. He was out 20mins in front of everyone with hazards flashing checking the signs up until the last moment having marshalled a team of 10+ RCC volunteers to put them up.  Our huge thanks go to each and every one of you who gave up chunks of your Saturday and Sunday to make the event a success.

Statistics on each ride will be linked from a front page story very soon.  And for anyone who couldn't make it... make sure you're there next year. One of the great RCC days!

Adrian