Seaside Ride

At only 93km (56 miles) Sunday's ride was 507km short of a full days ride for Anton, but nonetheless he joined us in Lindfield for a ride toDitchling cafe, his first ride in a month (by the way Anton thinks thatthere are 36 hours in a day, as well!). Five of us left Three Bridges at 9.15 - Bob, Richard, Martin, John C and myself, Peter S - on a glorious sunny day. Warming up on the short climb (slope!) up to Turners Hill we arrived in Lindfield at 10 having been intercepted by Anton just beforehand.

After a pleasant ride down Slugwash Lane and across Ditchling Common, we arrived at Ditchling Café at about 11.

We all had a drink with a tea cake - except for one person, who will remain nameless, who partook of a sizeable breakfast. Suitably refreshed we left the cafe and took the left turn in to Ditchling road at 11.35. Bob lead the way up the Beacon closely followed by Richard, but Richard slip-streamed past him at the top to take the first place, the maillot verte and the prize (we think you did this last year as well, Richard?! (:->). I arrived at the top of the Ditchling Beacon some time later at 11.49 - for me this is a great success (only 14 minutes) and it means that I pass my annual fitness test and will be kept on at home for another year.... John C, out on his latest new bike, left us in Ditchling to return home with Anton, who is recovering from an operation - it was his first time out on the bike for four weeks and so we were especially pleased to see him.

Guess who had the sizeable breakfast?

From the top of Ditchling Beacon it is a splendid and easy stretch across the Downs with wonderful panoramic views in to Brighton where we arrived at 12.30. At Old Boat Corner, Richard left us for Lewes so just three of us carried on to Brighton. Coincidentally the Labour party conference was taking place and we were much amused to see Bob triumphantly arrive on the seafront with his own personal five strong police motor cycle escort! Total distance to Brighton 29 miles for our annual trip to the seaside in the sun. Dare I say it, but it has been sunny four of the five years we have done this trip.

A short lunch on the front at the smoked fish bar left Bob and me to do the ride home as Martin had commitments and returned by train.We left at 13.00 and rather than head directly for the NCN20 Bob lead us through Hove via Hove station, Hove park and parts of NCR82 to Devils Dyke.
This was a long steady climb but very pleasant (partly) following the route of the old railway up to the Dyke. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dyke_railway_stationFrom the Dyke we had a fast freewheel via Newtimber to the A23 where we joined the NCN20 which duly lead us to The Victory in Staplefield for 14.50 (we know this as it closes at 15.00 and we just sneaked in in time).
Then a gentle slope up to Handcross and home through Tilgate forest. Total for the day 56 miles on a really lovely day out by the seaside.
Thanks to all who joined us and especially to Bob for his company on the way back.