THE WEEKLY REPORT.

The Longest of Days Ride

The 1st 50 miles

Almost a year ago the idea of a long distance ride was born. The feedback in the early days sitting in a café talking about the ride seemed to raise a lot of interest. That sparked me into looking for a suitable route and the planning started. The route had several amendments until the final 150 was in place. A couple of evening winter meetings at the club, and the event team were in place. The last 2 weeks before the ride became hectic, with Mags sorting out sponsorship and publicity, and responsible for the great asset of having Dave Hayward on board to take the ride photos. Andy took control of printing the maps and supplying the energy bars , gels and drinks, even the maps were printed on waterproof  paper, in case of wet weather. Lillian was our pasta cook, and her husband Andy a back up driver. Mags husband Andy was the mechanic and back up driver. Del the banana man and back up driver, Sue on feed stations, with sandwiches and cakes as well as water, with extra food supplied by Alex and Lee.
A meeting on Saturday at my house and all the final details were in place, we were ready to go.
4.00 am Sunday morning,
I wake up before the alarm and start loading the car. Too early for any breakfast yet, and besides the stomach was starting to turn as I realised the day had finally arrived, the dawn of the longest day.
A quick bowl of cereal and up to the club at 5.20 am to open the gates.
One by one the riders arrived, bikes gleaming and the Seeds kit everywhere. A chilly wind and a cloudy start to the day. Mags arrived with all the maps, and emergency contact cards to hand out. Dave Hayward arrives with 5 minutes to the start, (he had been waiting at the top gate). A quick talk to the group and we were on our way at 6.15 am.
It soon became clear, the plans for a steady ride had hit home, the whole group together on the early miles. The route one of our usual Club runs out to Ide Hill. Dave Hayward clicking away with his camera, and acting as an outrider for the group, keeping his flock together and safe from passing cars. The support cars whizzing around, certainly gave the feel of a very special ride was unfolding. Mags now known as Megaphone. Assisted. Girly. Support, was bellowing encouragement out of the car window, seeming more like a rowing cox, “pick the pace up, come on you Seeds, keep it going” all adding to the atmosphere.
The 1st 17 miles to the top of Ide Hill seemed very easy at the slower pace A relaxed group stood at the top of the valley looking over Bough Beech, eating bananas, the initial nerves now put to rest, it was time to push on to the 1st Feed stop at Edenbridge. Flying down Ide Hill, the back up cars were having trouble to stay with us, with the feed station approaching fast it became a race to who was going to get there first. The Pistol and his hit squad had picked up a good rhythm  and their heads were down, and you guessed it, straight passed a right turn, luckily Dave chased them down on his Motorbike and sent them back, with a few extra miles on the clock. The Feed station took a good hammering, the chilly start and the lack of breakfast for most people, saw all the hot water disappear for tea, and most of the sandwiches from the early supplies had vanished, although the box of bananas seemed to be never ending,( keep an eye on Crime watch for a banana thief!)
Well fed and watered the next leg was the longest, with the biggest climb of Ditchling to contend with.
30 miles before the next feed. We were down on our timing by about 30 minutes, with our average only 14.2 mph, but this wasn’t the time to pick it up, holding back was the best way to tackle it and get to Ditchling in good shape. The Sun was starting to peek through the clouds, and it was warming up, the gillets and wind jackets were coming off. Turners Hill and another little climb, the last before the big one, Dave was catching the riders at the top of the climb, but no pain on the faces could be found, plenty of smiles and waves to the camera.
Haywards Heath and a diversion around the town centre, throwing the group into confusion, with the leaders heading towards Burgess Hill, again Dave giving chase on his motorbike to reel them back again. So another stop to re group and a phone call from Pete and co saying they would meet us at Ditchling, to save turning back again.
So there we were at the foot of Ditchling, the whole group back together again. The hill stood in front of us, almost holding its hand up to keep us off. No holding this group back, we were prepared for it, 50 easy miles in the leg, the hill just an obstacle between us and the next feed stop. Dropping down the gears the pack started climbing, testament  to the fitness of everyone, no walkers, no bike pushing all climbing well, brushing aside this little monster.
Over the top, all recorded on film, and on to the second feed stop at Ditchling. The back up were all there in force with a picnic on the green. Sue Dumbleton had arrived with a feast, a tarpaulin on the grass, the table full of cakes, sandwiches, crisps, chocolate, fruit juices, Lillian had prepared pasta and rice, Mags had unloaded extra grub, and that box of bananas again. Like a military operation, the riders were spoilt with the service from the girls, with Andy fixing a chain, you just couldn’t ask for any better. Even the well travelled Dave Hayward, said he had never seen a better feed stop, and he has seen many.
Then there was the Dog. A black Labrador was circling the encampment, we all thought he belonged to one of our group, but no, he was a gate crasher
Yes a gate crasher and a thief, who managed to sneak in to the table an take a complete pack of 6 tasty cheese rolls, then trotted off as proud as punch with his prize, the cheek of it!

Part 2
 
Now where was we, oh yeah, the dog, probably supplying the feed station for the London to Brighton Dog Ride, we did see a few dogs on the road, none of our crew though!!, (before I dig a big hole for myself !!!)
Back to the serious stuff. This is where the ride started, the 1st 50 hadn’t been that bad. I knew the middle section was going to as be tough as hell. I think it would have been better for me if I didn’t know what treats lie ahead. So look on the bright side fellow Seeds, surprise and shock sort of cancel themselves out,  but knowledge holds no surprises just pain!
We lost Peanut just after the feed stop, opting for a return home, before getting too deep into the ride. Within a mile, the looks I got could have turned me to stone, which wouldn’t have been that bad, but the person who wished my legs only turned to stone, was nasty and so was the climb up Bear Road, that stood like a black wall of tarmac, on to the top of the South Downs. Everyone was cursing and moaning, apart from the super humans Pete, Steve, Mark and a new legend Liam.
Liam had a great climb over Ditchling, riding with Pete, and again climbing to the clouds, with the top boys. The group was attracting some attention through Brighton, I liked to think it was our speed and the rippling muscles, but probably just the lycra  and the lovely colours, seem like nice boys hmm!
The seafront now, through Rottingdean, climbing and dropping constantly. Peacehaven and the support crew were on the side of the road screaming, encouragement, Del shouting does anyone want a banana.
The pace had certainly picked up, and the miles were tumbling. Down to Newhaven and around the one way system, which seemed to throw a few off direction a little. By now the increased pace had split the group wide open, the biggest gaps so far had started to form, luckily I had passed the message forward to re group at Seaford. You could tell by the look on the faces as we all re grouped, that had been a tough section, but we were all in good spirits and looking forward to the 75 mile sop at Alfriston.
Just another little hiccup in the way, the South Downs again. Up over the top and a fast descent, which almost ended in disaster , when Mark took a tight left hand downhill at high speed, drifting across the road onto the bonnet of an oncoming car, amazingly no injury and just a broken aerial on the car, but the back up car was on scene quickly, Mags checking out Mark, putting her first aid to good use,(no broken back) and sorting out details with the car driver. A really lucky escape for all involved.. Still a bit shaken Mark rolled into Alfriston to meet the rest of the group, and take a well needed break. 75 miles done now, we had pulled back 15 minutes or so, on our schedule. The crew done us proud again with cakes and drinks.
On the road again, fairly flat again now, refreshed and off the coast road, a good surge of energy in the group and some great team riding, saw the average speed soar, we were kicking on now, all together and working as one. Speeds up around 20 now, and Battle only 10 miles away, we had made up the lost time within 10 miles, which is probably why the climb into Battle was so tough. We turned left off the main Bexhill road heading towards Hersmonceux and straight into a never ending long drag, maybe 6 miles or so of uphill. Heads were dropping, we had hit our wall, 90 miles in and running out of gas. I know we were all going through it, everyone goes quiet, mind games start to take over, self doubt. But over the hill lie Battle and our rescue crew, to lend the moral support and the all important food and drink.
It came just at the right time 95 miles, and more importantly the self doubt had been pushed back again.
Soon the 100 miles were up, another milestone for so many of our group. A long straight road up to Hawkhurst, all 8 miles of it, with a few climbs, strung out the group again. This was pushing people to their limits, the intermediate feed station at 113 miles, added as an emergency water stop, but became another saviour for the group. Seeing Mags drinking a Guinness and Del with his banana out, as we pulled into the pub car park, did make us see the funny side of things.. Water stop become a feed stop and a rest stop, some tired bodies by now and Lee suffering with Hay fever, his eyes closing right up. A few headaches and leg cramps were par for the course. Driven on by Miss Megaphone we pushed on again to Goudhurst, Tea Pot Island was calling. A sharp climb to Horsmonden, but with the promise of 8 miles downhill to Yalding, this was enough to keep everyone moving.
What a welcome sight, Tea Pot Island had stayed open when they heard of our massive ride for charity, and we, had the best cuppa you could ever wish for, as well as the friendly faces of Karen, Kat, Alex and Chris W, to greet us and help us with the ride back home. Jane was there to take over from Steve Blackmore to ride the last 25 miles as well. Lillian’s two young boys, threw down the gauntlet to Pete to see if he had anything left, and you know Pete, never turns down a challenge. This set the last 25 miles home, as almost a different ride. Different dynamics in the group and fresh legs, stirred the tired legs to have one more push. The pace was surprisingly  fast, and the dreaded Wrotham was on us quickly. Vigo became the graveyard, people totally loosing it, the legs just able to cope with the severe climb. But this was it, over the top and downhill, even a surge of speed along Green St Green road to finish. The Club at last and the welcoming party 150 miles done and dusted, who said what’s next graham!
I salute all of our riders today, you are the best.
Paul F, Paul. Lillian, Liam, Rob, Chris J, Bill, Lee, John, Neil, Hayden, Steve C, Steve B. Mark, Pete, Gary, Barry, Andy, Mick, Peanut, JP.

P. S. Does anyone want a banana

Prix de la Combativité award goes to Lee and Paul F