Getting in the birthday miles Sussex way

[Roy Green]

Coming down the hill to Tunbridge Wells station, the computer mileage ticked over to 74. I punched the air, letting out a whoop'.
Come one we've all done this for something similarlly satisfying, surely? The reason for my glee was achieving my target on my 'birthday-miles' ride, right at the finish.
I started this idea for a long ride three years ago.In the year following each birthday, I aim to do at least that many miles on a solo ride.
I'd fallen short in late July, clocking a mere 65 miles. I part-blame Legend Jim for that. I met him while passing through Capel, on his way to a pub lunch with friends. The day was one of those grimly overcast ones, with rain threatening. Riding was becoming just boring, and lunch with other old 'uns at the Six Bells in Newdigate was a stronger lure.
This Tuesday, the weather was near-ideal for a mile-eating run, if chilly enough for armwarmers. Brilliant sun and negligible wind. I decided to try the area Andrew enjoys so much for some of his Sunday runs, down in Sussex towards Battle, getting him the nickname for some of those riding with him of 'B-roads Andrew'.
The battle for me was those many long draggy climbs in the Ashdown Forest area. Andrew, knowing the way I struggle up climbs through age, advised a return rail trip out to Crowborough to start down there. Because the logistics of a poor rail timetable there made this seem a better idea for shorter runs than than I wanted this time, I rode all the way out. First the usual grind to the top of the North Downs. Then down Gangers Hill and via Tandridge to Lingfield, through lovely quiet lanes I know well. Onward to Dormansland, heading south, where the climbing pain began, a mega-drag through to A264. On through golfers' haven Holtye, then right, and by way of Hartfield, Withyham, and the charmingly named Lady's Lane, to Uckfield. The succession of long strength-sapping drags were somewhat irksome, but more so was the unexpected heavy commercial traffic.
A Costa cafe in Uckfield, big Americano and a tasty blueberry muffin, provided a welcome break, the lovely quiet B2102 east towards Heathfield changed it to more of a pleasure ride again. Then up the fairly quiet A265 towards the A21 at Hurst Green. Literary reminders here. Burwash proudly announced its connections with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, (though slight, I believe)and I passed the entrance to National Trust Bateman's, Rudyard Kipling's home.
At Hurst Green I refuelled with a bottle of Coke, fruity mineral water and a Wispa bar. (Besides this, the Uckfield cake 'n coffee and three ceral bars and an energy gel was my sustenance for the ride). Then on for the final main road drag up the A21 towards Tunbridge Wells. Negotiating past the scene of a recent road accident, and nose-to-tail car traffic zooming by (last week of the school holidays was not, I guess, an ideal time for this ride.) But on a mainly fast homing stretch, who cares?
I only felt weariness between 45-50 miles. Original plan was to track back to Crowborough station, but one London-bound train an hour made this less appealing than the frequent Tun. Wells trains to Orpington. My wife Jean picked me up at Locksbottom, three miles on, not because I was wilting, more so she could play a small part in my 'Birthday Miles' ride. Job done; 75-miler target after next May!

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Great write up, Roy - inspirational stuff - nice one!

[Jon H]

[img]http://www.clochette.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/NotWorthy2.gif[/img]We'll let you switch to metric at 100 Roy.

[Dan_K]

Nice one Roy.

[Snoop Doug]

good work Roy, see you out and about soon

[Andrew G]

I couldn't believe it when he said he'd ridden down to that area as there's hardly a yard of flat road on the way down towards Uckfield! Very impressed, I'd suggested this area as a bit of a change and there's some lovely areas down there so he could rack up the miles without having too much climbing. Too little faith on my part clearly and put well in my place .

[quote="Jon Hemming"][img]http://www.clochette.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/NotWorthy2.gif[/img]We'll let you switch to metric at 100 Roy.

[RachelB]

Congratulations Roy, sounds fantastic I know Capel, it is really beautiful, hope to see you again on one of Snoops little Switzerland rides, when I get back in the saddle!

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="RachelB"]Congratulations Roy, sounds fantastic I know Capel, it is really beautiful, hope to see you again on one of Snoops little Switzerland rides, when I get back in the saddle!

[Mike I]

Never mind Legend Jim, you must be just a whisker away from qualifying as Legend Roy.