A Tough Weekend!

On Saturday morning I made towards Woodhatch at Reigate on my trusty Red Emperor equipped with a 48X17 fixed wheel to let Russell Hicks of the Redhill take a couple of jerseys off me. Being there I decided to go on the 16 mph ride to Tully's Farm. It was just a shame that I did not check the route first!

As usual I ended up on the front, and as I was riding a 77" gear, the pace went up a bit! Through Newdigate, Rusper we went until I was faced with the climb up Colgate which I had to attack to keep going. The legs hurt and not surprisingly: my computer was showing 14 mph cresting the steep bit! From there things worsened! Through to Hammer Ponds we rode then left up the steep incline towards the A281. The run-up gave me the momentum to haul the fixed over the top, much the amusement and astonishment of Russell (and me); my legs burning! Thinking that we would ride to Turners Hill via Handcross, I was once again taken aback as we headed towards Staplefield and then up a killer of a hill which emerged at the water tower on the Handcross road. Legs once again in a terminal state! Sadly, Rupert Burbage did not give me a wheel to follow because he was taking it easy before the SCCU 50 the following day which he won with a 1-49: a brilliant ride.

At least the climb up to Turners Hill was straight forward with the fixed not dropping below 16 mph on the climb. A brief stop at Tully's and then off on the straight forward ride back to Earlswood. From there, although tired but still not stratified, I attacked the climb over Redhill on the A23, and then went totally bonkers on the Mersterham drag up to Hooley. The legs were now really feeling the pain, but, as anyone who rides a fixed knows, going down can be more painful than going up. And so it proved on the descent to Coulsdon where the leg speed was threatening cramp which, luckily, did not eventually happen. 62 miles at 18.5 mph, this with all of the climbs, pleased me!

Russell told me that there was a ride around the Reigate Sportive course the following day, which would be home in time for the footie. I chose this ride instead of the Downs Link ride and off we went again: me on gears this time! Poor old Adrian got the route right but went around it the wrong way! But it was a great ride in really hot conditions with a lot of laughs along the way. A nice sedate ride for me with 76 miles at a nice 17.4 mph.

The SoUther Sportive from Reigate is still open and is a really nice ride with climbs that are not leg breaking but hard. It a a local event so have a go!

http://www.southernsportive.com/?go=sunday&page=event&eventid=304

Guildford Shoreham off road 27 June 2010

Mike Ayliffe, Paul Martin met at Epsom station for the Guildford to Shoreham MTB following the route of the disused railway line. Steve Edgar and his friend, Chris, joined them at Bramley and road to Southwater for some refreshing drinks on this hot and sunny day. Steve and Chris returned and the other three road on in the heat and dust to the pub in Shoreham. Sitting in the cool pub with a beer and sandwich was most pleasant. (See Mick's picture below) Paul and Trevor left Mick at East Croydon and suffered the usual consequences. They know it is so important to rehydrate after exercise on a hot summer's day! Distance was 110 miles and max speed of 95 mph - OK train assisted but cycled miles were 47, average 10 mph.

Sunday 27th June 2010

"Daddy, Daddy, where were you on the day Germany knocked England out of the World Cup in 2010?"
"In the Red Lion in Old Shoreham supping Ropetackle from the Adur Brewery at Steyning at the end of a lovely off-road ride from Guildford along the Downslink on the hottest day of the year, my old son."
Cheers!

Club Run 13 June

Four hardy souls, Mick Ayliffe, Dave Elliot, Tony (who was delighted to hear me say that I thought that Italy would win the World Cup) and Ev, set off from the Swan and Sugar Loaf in Croydon to their destinatin: Tully's farm at Turner's Hill. Up through Selsdon, Farley and Beddlestead we climbed with minimal traffic to bother us. At the top of Beddlestead Farm Lane Mick made off down Titsey Lane on a shorter and less hilly route to Tully's, and in ignoring a road closed sign, found himself having to clamber over a fallen tree. For once the sign really did mean all road users!

The remaining three went down Titsey Hill proper, through Limpsfield, Crowhurst, Lingfield, Felcourt, up Baldwins Hill to East Grinstead, followed by the long drag up to Turner's Hill. Arriving at Tully's before Mick; he failed to spot our bicycles and sat in a corner on his own before we spotted him. He then complained about his battle into the westerly wind to get there!

Once refreshed, we made our way back via Copthorne, Smallfield and Mersterham, where Mick chose Fanny's and the other three chose Harp's Oak Lane. Tony made his way back to Coulsdon on the main road (we think) whilst Dave and myself met up with Mick again at the top of Harp's Oak from where we made our way back home.

The day turned out lovely with nice warm sunny spells. Really good cycling weather. 50 miles Croydon to Croydon at a 14.8 mph average for my ride, so a little bit less for the others!

Berkshire MTB ride 6th June

The location for MTB meeting on Sunday.
Meet: 0900hrs.

Location: "Blacknest" Virginia Water Lake. Corner of Black Gate Road and Mill Road.