Twice before I've planned to take the Warninglid Variation and twice I've wimped out. Four minor offs on a decent night probably militates in favour of future wimpery. It's a great daytime ride - in contrast to the Turners Hill route which, Sunday mornings aside is pretty horrible - and I might be tempted to go that way in summer when the second half is in daylight, but it's probably stretching it for a night time group ride in the dark.
And there's no Beacon. I was surprised by the number and variety of riders who regretted not going up the Beacon. Now there's perversity for you. The point is taken, though. However much we groan up that hill, the view from the top makes us feel pretty good about ourselves.
Hanging around at the front gives one a rather restricted view of proceedings, but from that vantage point the ride up to Sutton went pretty well. It wasn't until we reached the beginning of the dual carriageway that I realised that Slo'mo' was not his usual self, and there was a bit of hanging about on what is, by night, the main drag down to Gatwick. The flatness of the road to Headley afforded him some relief, and although I'd made arrangements to have him put up for the night by the time we reached Betchworth he felt he could carry on.
I did have fun waiting at the bottom of Pebblecombe Hill with Mike. People had obviously enjoyed going down Pebblecombe, and had wide grins on their faces even as they slowed for the b*****d level crossing that had me off in 1973 (I was never a man to hold a grudge...). My plan was to let the front of the ride rip along from Betchworth, although that involved keeping pace with the Speedskaters and Origamist, which was a bit beyond me. Stilll, we bounded along through Newdigate and Rusper at a jolly rather than a racing speed and they, the Speedskaters and Matt, reached the Cabin just after three o'clock; I took up station at the mini-roundabout in Faygate and marvelled at the lights coming down the hill - once again Nigel takes the prize for his luxtastic 'Third Encounters' rig, but somebody, I think it was Tim D, was giving a fair impression of the Rio Carnival. Although Slo'mo' was clearly feeling it, we were all in the warm by 3.40, which is perfectly respectable.
I'm grateful to Martin for volunteering himself as longstop at the roundabout on the A264. I thought 'turn left at the main road, you've got a quarter mile to go' was straightforward, but I've clearly got to open up a new page in the risk assessment for 'Catseyes' Affleck.
So, I decided we should go for it. And we did. And the boys and girls did well. There are stretches of that route that are simply difficult to follow, however bright your lights (Davy's Barnes Wallis Bomb routine was done in the rain, when we could see next to nothing...) and I know that some of you found it a bit stressful, but we all made it to the A281 without lasting injury. Be content, by the way, that words will be had about some sketchy overtaking....
There followed a mechanical interlude, and then another, and then another, and those of us at the back didn't get to the Madeira until half past seven, just before Antonia, Our Lady of the Sparkling Water came bearing a case of fizz which seemed to sooth all ailments and loosen a few tongues. Then Teresa came along accompanied by the Old Retainer, and more bubbles made their way in to the bloodstream. I'm afraid there might be pictures of yours truly having a power nap, but, by way of reminding you all of the friendship that is at the heart of the FNRttC I thought I'd start proceedings with this...
So, as ever, thankyou to all those who laboured at the back, especially our 'Chef de TEC' Adrian, and to those of you who took station at the front, not least Frank of the Frozen Feet and Tanya who registered late with a promise of much wayfinding, and, bless her, volunteered time and time and time again. A particular thankyou to Peter for turning up for the first time and immediately taking the Order of the Tyre Levers. By way of introduction he told us that he'd steered a dozen teenagers along a LEJoG, which was, I'm afraid, just asking to be taken advantage of.
So, that's it, for 2010. Thirteen rides, close on 850 miles, and perhaps 500 riders, some, like Adrian, coming out month after month. The Martlets thing has got itself up and going, and next year will probably see me trying to work out how to keep the character of the monthly rides as inclusive and friendly as they can be. I'm looking forward to Blackpool and South Wales, and to all those runs we've made our own, and I'm hoping that you are too.
ps. The 'Teefster has a multi-tool, ownership unknown. If you're missing one, do please get in touch.
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Might use my SQR Slim for an FNR some time...
