10th April Newsletter
We’ve got a busy weekend in store with 7 rides on Spond and lots of riders signed up. Thanks to all the ride leaders who are leading this weekend. Thanks also to all the ride leaders who provided ride reports for last week.
Velo Barn First Aid 1 Day Course for Cycling Clubs
The Velo Barn is hosting a one day first aid course on Monday 18th May as we at Flamme Rouge Events have to renew our first aid qualifications.
We’ve got a number of places available - It’s a 5-6 hour session, the Velo Barn will provide lunch and refreshments, and at the end of the course each attendee will be a recognised certified first aider - very useful for club captains, ride leaders and anyone involved in organising cycling events such as club TT’s and club ride outs.
The cost is £50 per person - details attached - and is valid for 3 years.
If anyone is interested please inform paul@flammerougeevents.com
Remembering Pete Abbot
Ten years ago we lost our colleague Pete Abbott suddenly from heart failure while he was riding with OCC friends on the club trip to Mallorca.
Pete was one of the first club members and was not just a passionate cyclist he was great company.
I am riding in Mallorca and on the anniversary of his passing I climbed the appropriately name Coll d’Honor to pay my respects.
Austen
Ride Reports
Karen’s Saturday T1 - Today’s T1 was my first club ride since I injured my knee skiing at the start of February. I’d suggested the shortest possible route out to Chiddingstone, and I was really grateful to have the company of Sarah, Gilly and Steve.
We rode a clockwise route, out via Itchingwood Common and Dairy Lane. Riding south-east along Pootings Road towards Four Elms felt unusual; we mostly seem to ride back that way. The road surface going in that direction was less than ideal.
In no time at all we arrived in Chiddingstone and were pleased to see that the Tulip Tree Café was open, despite the fact it was only 9.30am. Flapjacks, coffees and teas were consumed in the courtyard, and we enjoyed a good chat before getting on the bikes again to head back to Oxted.
Rather than riding up towards Markbeech, we took a right along Rectory Lane towards Hever. Here we encountered a huge pile of fly-tipped builders waste which almost blocked the whole road. We did our civic duty and reported it online, then carried on our way through Edenbridge, Merle Common, Broadham Green and then back through Old Oxted.
The roads were very quiet and though the clouds looked threatening, we avoided any rain. Thanks to Sarah, Gilly and Steve for their company, An enjoyable ride, around 22 miles at a relaxed pace.
Duncan’s T2 - Alan, Andy T, Caroline, Colin and Norman joined me on Matt’s route out to Charlwood. A mechanical at Outwood meant we got to use my chain splitter and a Quick Link and justified their space in the saddle bag. The cafe at Charlwood was closed so we decided to head towards Newdigate. A sign advertising breakfast outside the Surrey Oak in Parkgate enticed us in from the light rain. Refreshed, we made our way back via Leigh and Smallfield. We finish up at around 50miles, 700m of ascent at an average of just over 13mph. Thanks all for a lovely sociable ride.
Matt’s T3 - 10 of us for todays T3 ride to Charlwood, many thanks to Mark D for leading a second group, in my group was Michelle, Ailsa, Casey and Mark.
Mark D's group was comprised of Jo, Gavin, David and Kim.
We had to formulate a plan B when the cafe was shut for Easter, so we headed to Horne golf club instead. Ailsa continues to impress, especially on the hills, and Casey stepped up to a T3 and did so well, and was quite rightly very pleased with her ride. A flattish route with only 460m of climbing resulted in an average of 15.0 mph over 42 miles. Thanks everyone, sorry about the shut cafe !
Roger’s T4 - Seven of us set out for Saturdays’s T4 ride to Penshurst. Sadly we lost Nick early to a mechanical and we were lucky to retain Marcel who was downed by a ridge in the tarmac on Ovendon Road. Gallic spirit enabled him to continue with Brian, Jules, Pete, Richard, Russell and Roger. An easy-paced ascent of Back Lane (one off Austen’s list) turned out to be a warm-up for rather more sprightly ascents of Station Hill towards Penshurst and Grove Road. Finding a very busy coffee shop at Penshurst Place, Pete proposed Falconhurst Farm at Markbeech where we relaxed in the comfort of a former stable (photo RH). Returning via Edenbridge and Crowhurst, the four of us from the north of our patch peeled off to head home via Godstone and Flower Lane.
The core ride of 40 miles at 15.8mph fulfilled the new T4 parameters, with rides to the start and home increasing total distance by 50% for some: commitment!
Andrew’s Sunday T4 - Easter Sunday and only two takers for my suggested ride. Was it the draw of chocolate eggs, hot cross buns or the mention of Austen’s hill that put people off? I met Stuart and Pete at the hub and we set off before any chill could set in. We sped along Pilgrims, helped by a fourth member of our group; Dave. Or to give him his full name Storm Dave. We had to ride a fair distance before we could begin the main reason for this ride - ticking off some of Austen’s hills.
Hubbards was completed without too much pain, bearing in mind the climbs we had to ascend just to reach this point. At least we’d kept warm. There followed a long descent to the bottom of Ide Hill and the promise of a cafe break. There was a strong psychological element to the route, having passed the cafe once on route to the first, official climb.
With number two dispatched it was time for a warm drink and chat. The sit down was very uplifting, I really appreciate great company.
It was this part of the ride when Dave was no longer the allie he had been. Pilgrims had us facing his full resistance.
Mind games entered our consciousness once again. To get to the last two climbs meant going through Oxted. We didn’t waver though. It was weird heading north along Tandridge Lane, the more usual direction is south on route to the Surrey countryside. I really hadn’t realised how steep the top section was. A brief section of the A25 and then the last official climb; Tandridge Lane Hill. Much steeper than I remembered we all had a collective sigh of relief and satisfaction at the top.
A mile or so later the crew split up. And Dave relented a bit. Stuart and Pete rode east until they parted ways to ride home. I headed north with just one more hill between me and a big lunch.
Bren’s Easter Monday Ride - Seven went to East Peckham, about 54 miles: Bren, Matt, Michelle, Tony, Jeremy, Frank and Rob. Thanks to Rob we discovered a new café, the Waterside café. Lovely route, thanks to Matt.
Norman’s Midweek Ride - Richard, eight of us- Casey, Suzanne, Caroline, Mark, Colin, Jo, Andy and I turned out on a T1/ T2 ride around Tandridge Lane, Horne, Outwood, South Park for a coffee and cake stop at Godstone. Poor Jo had two punctures and was collected by Gavin near Tilburstow so missed the mega chocolate cake. Returned via Flower Lane, down the valley through Woldingham School, then back around to The Ridge (guided by Andy) then down Chalk Pit Lane to Oxted.
Have a great weekend,
Richard