Eighteen riders were ready at Tunbridge Wells to head out through the High Weald for a morning of climbs and descents though wooded hills.  By lunchtime I had only lost two of the group (we arranged to meet them again at tea) and we took a break at the Blackboys Inn in the village of that name.

Then a cycle through the town of Uckfield and a long but gentle climb on a quieter route to the top of the Ashdown Forest. As ever there, we found spectacular views of heathland and the surrounding countryside, today in bright sunshine, slightly marred by the many drivers who see the 40mph  limit clearly marked as there only for decoration.

We had our own chance to try break the speed limit though on the long downhill stretch, followed by one last small but steep hill before tea.  Being the Ashdown Forest, tea was at Piglet’s Tea Room attached to the House-at-Pooh-Corner in Hartfield.

Having lingered over our scones, we spread out on the return to Tunbridge Wells, to catch different trains.  I think I counted the full number past me back into the town, but was slightly nervous that one or two may still be out there and will emerge from the forest in years to come.

The ride was 67km in East Sussex and (a bit of) Kent.

A few miles later Ash had a puncture. His tyres were hard to get back on and he damaged his spare inner tube with a tyre lever and so had to do a puncture repair by the roadside. Not surprising after this succession of punctures we got to lunch late at the Crown and Sceptre in Bridens Camp.

John left us after lunch and the remaining four of us rode through the National Trust’s attractive wooded Ashridge Estate to the Bridgewater Monument. Three of us climbed to the top for a panoramic view of the Chilterns and two of us succumbed to the lure of the tearoom. Then it was back through Redbourn for a short break at the Holly Bush (picturesque but no teas or coffees) and then on to the Nicky Way, a former railway line,  back to catch the train home from Harpenden.

The morning ride took us through the High Weald. After a first busy section we took in a succession of small hills though villages, past ponds, farms and woods. The group maintained a strong pace and we arrived at the Black Horse at Nuthurst before opening time.

Entering the village at Slaugham

A slight drizzle kept most of us indoors for lunch, but the rain soon stopped and the afternoon stayed clear. The afternoon took us into the Low Weald, with fewer slopes now and a distant view of the Downs to the South. Against my on-road principles, I took the group for a few km off the tarmac on a bridleway near the River Adur, before following back roads to Hassocks and tea, amid the statuary and old machinery at the South Downs Garden and Heritage Centre.

In the woods near Staplefield

Then a final ride through Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath back to the railway. We returned to London just in time to be soaked through by a cloudburst on leaving the station, but this didn’t matter as it was too late to spoil the ride.

We did 69km, all in West Sussex. A map of the ride is here.

Puncture repairs near Pleshey

I’ve put a few photos from yesterday’s  two-star ride in Essex into the photo gallery.

There’s also a map of the route here.

A bright, sunny but chilly start and the mornings ride found ice patches on the route through the Beeches, with plenty of pot holes on the back roads. There were only Snowdrops as the first sign of Spring. We made good progress through the hills, and were ahead of schedule for the planned lunch stop, so continued to “The Whip” beside the windmill at Lacey Green.

Richard left after lunch, avoiding the hills that David had planned for the afternoon. Over Bledlow Ridge and across the grain of the Chilterns, then down into the Hambleden valley. We crossed over the weir there with the Thames in full flow, then south to Twyford.

The train back had grown to three crowded coaches. Fifty quality miles on the first ride in March, with plenty of good hills: well worth the early start.

950m total ascent!

The forecast was highly accurate: heavy rain began early morning and continued without break through to lunch. The advantage for us was lower traffic levels and the fun of occasional large puddles; the disadvantage was that we were cold and damp. At least we were able to test our wet weather gear and find out what worked (and more often what didn’t).

Our route was south from Tunbridge Wells across the High Weald. There were slow climbs and quick descents, mostly on quieter roads, with water flowing downhill in the roads along the way and flooded fields in the valleys. We took our roast lunch at the Blackboys Inn in the village of that name.

We continued on to Uckfield but took our northward journey back by train, honour satisfied that we had made our usual Sunday ride despite the hills and rain, even if just 36km this time.

Map of the ride here.

Derek and David examine wheel

On a pre-ride of the route I realised that I had chosen one of the most wind swept places in south-east England. Awoken by a storm the night before, I imagined that this would be a ride for the hard-core only, but as ride leader duty called.  I need have had no concerns as the day (15 November) was clear, sunny and virtually windless and sixteen riders were ready for the experience.

Early Breakdown

We managed 2km from Longfield station when I provided the first amusement of the day with a puncture. It was an unusual one and much savoured by the puncture connoisseurs in the group (“I’ve never seen one like that before”); the metal in the beading had split and broken through the tyre wall . Fortunately our new club secretary was able to demonstrate the roadside repair skills that his office requires and I was soon back on the road on a slightly bulging wheel.

Morning in the Downs

The storm had left much in the way of leaves and a few branches on the road, but no serious problems other than some sizable puddles, which as leader I had to try first, and we were able to thread our way though the North Kent lanes with some sunshine and little traffic to disturb us.

There were a few murmurings that my description of “slightly undulating” was perhaps an understatement, but good progress was made until just before lunch when, in our eagerness for food and beer, we managed to split at a T-junction  into an impressive four sub-groups.

We were reunited soon after at the Leather Bottle at Cobham.  It was mentioned in Pickwick Papers and is very heavily Dickens themed, including the menu (though I don’t recall Bill Sykes ever eating prawn cocktail), but provided good food and warmth.

Selwyn and the Horses Touring Club

Local man, Frank, and followers

A big puddle

After lunch we went down to sea level and towards the open spaces of the Hoo Peninsula with views over the nature reserves and oil refineries of the Thames Estuary.  On arrival we were confronted with “Road Closed” and a significant amount of water on the road. Discretion overcame me and I led a diversionary route, while hardier folk took up the Hoo Puddle Challenge; the photographer was ready but sadly no hidden potholes were found.

Michael and Max lead the way

Janet takes the plunge

Afternoon on the Hoo

We continued through the villages of Cliffe, and High Halstead (on hill top) via Cooling.  Cooling has a real castle (inhabited by a well-known musician I’m told).  Some left their saddles here to see the church.  Apparently it is mentioned in Great Expectations.  Not only that but there are shells in the vestry.

Cathedral tea

Then south and into Rochester for a cathedral tea (no mere church teas are allowed on my rides).  The cakes were much appreciated, particularly the bread and butter pudding.  They were so good in fact that at least one member was overcome with cream tea remorse  (“I can’t tell my friends I do this; they’ll think I’ve gone soft”).

Final breakdown

Or so I was told.  My tyre had loudly given way 6km away and as the sun set over the Medway, I could be found walking forlornly through the suburbs pushing my cycle.

I caught up with the cake-filled riders at the station by 17.00 for a return to London, after an eventful but rainless day.  60km of cycling (a bit less for me).   Map of the route here.

The only misfortune was shortly after lunch, the bolt that clamps the saddle to the saddle pin sheared on a bike.  An expert team of mechanics, lead by Selwyn, was assembled to bodge it back in place.  It was more ‘Scrapyard Challenge’ than ‘Apollo 13′! Several nylon ties, bits of wire and nuts and bolts later the saddle was in place if not particularly stable.  However, Nina could sit on it and free wheel (if not pedal) to the train home from High Wycombe.

A few statistics: 76km (48miles), 845m climbing.  Map of the route here.