Captain's Coastal - 24.7.10 - Report

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

I rode down with what we deemed the 16/17 mph group: Nigel, Christine, Serena, Damion, Mark L, Marky M, John, and very tall Peter. we left about 8.45 and headed up Farthing down and met Clive who was intending to do a normal CR thinking that the brighton run was next week . he joined us and then a few minutes later we met Duncan heading for the CR, he also joined us and we were now eleven in number.

Climbed up to Bletchingly and rolled down into Smallfields where Mark L bailed out, Marky M left us at Outwood, we picked up Lindsay at Turners hill and Peter eventually left us to ride via Ardingly to home to do a few household chores. so we were down to nine.

Christine and Nigel did some big, big pulls on the front and got us to the Beacon in really good time. Chris powered up the climb and was soon out of sight, Duncan crested second, Nigel third along side me in fourth, Serena was next despite an Andy Schleck moment when she shed her chain just as she got to the top. Photo by the sign, said goodbye to Duncan who had to get home (he'd only come out for a CR), and we were off again just as Monty appeared having presumably left the rest of his 15 mph group for dead.

Very fast descent and then realised we'd lost Lindsay, we couldn't remember if he'd got to the top with us or where we last saw him but given his propensity to swap groups we guessed that's what happened. Arrived at the Embassy at 11.50 to find we were the first there. Seaford spagetti for four of us, no food but a pint and a half of lager for Clive (one advantage of catching the train back!!), met up with Justin who had ridden down the A23 on his own!!, serena had avocado and prawns - anything else makes her sick, Damion had bolognaise. Half hour later the other groups started to roll in and the restaurant started to turn yellow. Lovely day, sitting in the sunshine, absolutely glorious I was tempted to have a beer and take the train myself but I'm made of sterner stuff. We paid - and avoided the usual long, long queue - unpicked our bikes and we were off and heading for home.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

We decided to try something different to the usual return journey over Devil's Dyke and set out along the coast to Shoreham. Our group now consisted Nigel, Chris, Serena, Damion, Justin, John, Alan and Lindsay (yes, he was back with us but not for long as he was going to Worthing to visit family).

Five miles hard peddling along the front into quite a headwind and we were in Shoreham.

We crossed the wooden bridge over the Arun at Old Shoreham, stopped to admire the view, and then headed up along the valley side to Steyning. From there it was up the B2135, turned off at Partridge Green and headed back north on quiet lanes through Littleworth and beyond.

Everyone did their bit - Christine was so strong throughout - taking long turns that invariably upped the pace. Nigel, Serena, Justin and John all did a turn. We got to the hammer pond and followed the usual route from there but decided to do the CR route to the cafe and from there did the usual CR route to Coulsdon.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Alan left us at Faygate and headed home we then really ripped it up. John had enough after giving his all and pealed off for home at the 217. Justin, Chris, Nigel and Serena (fuelled with jelly sweets) kept the pace high. A brief stop at the Texaco and we were on the last leg (and our last legs!).

For the last 20 k all we could talk about were the cakes at Nonnas.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

OMG!!! Where are the cakes!!!????

Apart from the lack of cakes (Monty, what happened!!?? )...the coffee was great and

this was a brilliant day on the bike. Really great company - we stuck together there and back and developed a nice rapport - thanks everyone - a real pleasure to be in your company - it's the people that make it or you'd ride on your own wouldn't you?

I rode 106 miles door to door @ 15.65 mph

the route back via Shoreham was a great success and something I'd do again - it's not flat - there are some sharp climbs but so much kinder than the usual return route and it gives a bit of variety.