Let it Go; Frozen

Having hummed and hawed at the Drome in a crisp 1ºC with brilliant sunshine we intrepid RCC eight headed south on the hopefully gritted B roads for Ditchling. But where’s Mark? “Punctured on the way in” he cried over the text which being interpreted is Vincent Speak for “I overslept”.

Mario made a rare RCC appearance on his stealth bike but peeled off after the Turners Hill climb for a pressing prior engagement. Our direct route, with Mark now on board, saw us into Ditchling in two hours where four gallantly volunteered to reserve a place in the excellent tearooms whilst Walter, Norman and Philip dutifully planted the RCC flag atop the Beacon.  Then with bikes safely dangling from the new hangers in the tearoom yard we regrouped. Our polite and intellectual exchanges were rudely interrupted however with the arrival of the Calvinator and Matt S. soon to be followed by Kieran and gang fresh off the Beacon. Well met: 13 RCC riders in the tearooms must have been a welcome boost to their takings on a cold and frosty day.

28 miles done and 67 scheduled, the Sunday Steady crowd headed off through Hurstpierpoint and Albourne where we found a sorry looking Aston Martin rammed into the hedge, an ambulance in attendance: a useful warning for us to maintain vigilance especially as some sheet ice still lingered around the corner. No lasting effects we hope for those motorists involved in the collision, we wish them well.

 From there we took on the northerly headwind through Twineham and Wineham aka wine’em and dine’em, over the A272, passing Slaugham (say as in laugh with a Sussex twang), through the Hammerponds, Grouse Road and for most the standard return to the Drome by way of Charlwood and Horley. A few still on Christmas penance threw in a loop round Rusper to finish off a chill but sunny winter day's riding. Great company, good ride, 67 miles 14.5 mph (with hills): the fewer the faster - see Newton’s Laws.

 

Philip Gibson

 

Event / Article Type
Sunday Steady 28-12-2014
Sunday Steady 28-12-2014