Kent/E. Sussex - "An Hell of Ashdown" - 66 miles - Sat 8th December

[rb58]

Cracking ride Greg. Top marks for arranging both a great route and some lovely weather. The day started early for me - I left home at 4.45am and thoroughly enjoyed riding through pitch black country lanes to Horley where I hooked up with Tim. We were the first customers at the Station Cafe for a Proper Breakfast (which in my case, seemed to be a plate of chips with some bacon, egg and beans on the side). Some quick fettling at Gatwick and we were soon all together ready for off. We took in some lovely country lanes, some steep bits - including The Wall, some great vistas. And all in top company. A Bakery Invasion in Groombridge before the Col De Groombridge was conquered prior to heading north to the Greensand Ridge and the North Downs. There was a lot of debris and water on the road in places, so care was needed, but the sun continued to shine and we made good progress. At the top of Ide Hill the ride split and three of us headed down towards Riverhead. I left Eddie and Moses at Dunton Green station then headed on to Otford. I'd intended going home via Eynsford, but changed my mind and decided to take Old Polhill - which turned out to be quite entertaining as, without cars, there's nothing to move the fallen leaves so I was quite often spinning the back wheel struggling for traction. Such Fun. Just over 103 miles for me, which completes my 2012 Century a Month Challenge.

All in all a great ride. Some fast bits, some steady bits. But all in good company.

Thanks everyone, but especially to Greg for making it happen.

 

[Trickedem]

Greg, thanks from me as well. I really enjoyed the ride and the company. I started at about 5 past 4, after insufficient sleep. It was a good ride out to Horley for Brekkie, but I stuck to main roads, which were very quiet. I ended the day with 134 miles on the clock and I've also just finished the century a month challenge. I must be a glutton for punishment, because I also did Hollingbourne Hill, which is a beast.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

After the ride split I decided to bin the north of the M25 loop and head to as planned down to Sundridge, but there take the A25 through Brasted and then rejoin the 'proper' route for Toys Hill. Why? Didn't fancy mixing it in the dark with the race goers at Lingfield tbh.

Toys Hill. Ben has a theory. one of those theories you explain by way of helping me up a very long hill. I think it is a brilliant theory. But Ben has AyUp lights and is therefore a man of insight and discernment.

It occurred that all were heading to Horley/Gatwick so we may have paused at Smallfield for a pint or two. And some pork scratchings.

An entertaining, not to say challenging, ride made more fun by the company. We managed a 20kph moving average which is quite a bit faster than when I did it with some mates in March.

Will give some serious though to doing the route, or similar, clockwise in February.

Now I must have a bath, then go out and get really drunk on Manhattans. At some point a curry will be taken. But for now....

TELL 'EM ABOUT THE DEER TIM!

 

[benborp]

Yes, the wildlife was interesting. Tim pointed out a heron, then there was a deer...

 

[musa]

a deer that would of needed cpr if i hadnt ran into john(?) i think

one went across then tim went 'WHOOA'' so the rest thought '''umm fine well run across too'

thanks guys for today.....sorry for the last 10miles before i split....id ran out of my reserves and was really struggling but yh the wall ive now met....and BEN who redemeed himself this morning thanks for the train ticket who another animal on a bike (now added to my list)

 

[Shadow]

It's very nearly 24 hours since arriving home and I'm still aching. I'm very glad we rode 'The Wall' at the beginning of the ride and not towards the end as I think I would have struggled severely. I was struggling the last 10 miles regardless!
Deer, what deer? How Musa stayed upright was impressive and how one of us did not have a collision was hard to comprehend.
Fantastic day out, fantastic route - would like to tackle it again when fit! - fantastic weather, fantastic scenery and fantastic company, of course.
Thanks Greg.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The key to enjoying An Hell is pacing yourself. Or being as fit and strong as Ben.

 

[rb58]

The key to enjoying An Hell is pacing yourself. Or being as fit and strong as Ben.

In my current state of (un)fitness I find it pays not to attack the bottom of the hill, but to save it for the second half. Or, when it came to Said Wall, not at all.

 

[Tim Hall]

As everyone has said, what a lovely day that was. Top company, brilliant weather. I saw the Woodland Alliance (Bambi Division) episode from the back of the bunch. I'd seen the deer scampering along the field, parallel with the road. They disappeared from view and I thought they would pop up in the top corner, away from the road. After all, the noise of the cars would scare them away wouldn't it. Then the lead deer shot out of the hedge, almost causing mayhem. I shouted that there were more, and they appeared. Brakes were applied, adrenalin coursed. And we went on our way.

An earlier exchange somewhere near Giil's Lap:

Me: "Did you climb that on the big ring?"

Nameless modest cyclist who needs to ingest more BEER and PIES: "I might have done"

Git.

It seems I was wrong about the leader of the Kidds Hill challenge. It's a bloke called Matt Green. Connal Yates (brother, not son of Sean) is second. Linky

All in all a fantastic day.

 

[JohnKilbey]

....
Will give some serious though to doing the route, or similar, clockwise in February.
....

I'd certainly be up for that. This was a very enjoyable ride in great company. Our leader's decision to combine the planned lunch and afternoon tea stops into a single late 'refreshment' stop was inspired!

 

[benborp]

It was a glorious ride. Great company. And the views! At this time of year they are fantastic and without all the leaves on the trees you get to see more of them. The low weak sunlight coming through the mist set everything off beautifully.
By February hopefully all the chutney will have gone and the likes of ianrauk will be more willing to bring their pristine machines out.

This appears timely:
Sussex deer.
How a dozen deer can pass through a string of nine cyclists without taking anyone out is beyond me. We were all stopped by the time most of them came across but it was pure chance that none of us were caught. They were missing us by inches.

 

[mmmmartin]

East Sussex CTC had a member in hospital with serious injuries after one deer hit a bunch of riders and several went down.