17th April Newsletter
Velopark Stratford Indoor Cycle Track Experience 30th May
There are still places available for our 2nd Oxted CC coached session to be held on the track Saturday 30th May. If you would like to ride, please sign up this weekend on Spond and do not be put off by the limit of 16 places. We have some members who rode in January and they are kindly willing to step down to free up spaces.
Payment requests of £25 per rider will be issued next week via Spond. (No need to bank transfer to the Oxted CC bank account).
Any questions please email me : brian.tidey@gmail.com
Safer Riding
Following a couple of recent falls on poor road surfaces (nobody was badly injured) our safety officer Pete Vines has, with the committee, carried out a review to see if there is anything we can learn to make things safer.
While we can never create a 100% safe environment we can make things better especially when in a group.
Always point out and call potholes and dangerous surfaces.
If you are at the front of a group and you see that you are approaching a particularly poor surface call it out. All riders should then increase the gap between them and the rider in front, this is especially important when going downhill.
Be aware and look ahead.
Ride Reports
T2 Louise’s report - Great to have 14 signed up for the T2 ride today. Big thanks to Gavin for leading a second group.
The purpose of the ride was to do some hills and a longer than normal ride as training for the K20 Sportive in June, so of course we had to go to the Ashdown Forest.
The route took as out via Dormansland, up Hollow Lane, hill 1 of 10! Turned on Holtye Road for a short time before turning onto Shovelstrode Lane up to Ashurst Wood before flying down Wall Hill Road into Forest Row. Then came the longest hill 1.95 miles up Priory Road, thankfully Paul and Jason paced us up, quick stop to regroup then along Hindleap Lane to Wych Cross. The T3s came passed us on the hill, no surprise there!
Sped along Coleman’s Hatch Road hanging onto Jason’s tail. Great views along there and a fab hill down. Made our way through Hartfield on to Perryhill Farm shop and cafe where we met Matts T3s, Alan’s group and Gavin’s T2 and Bren joined us on her solo training ride for Chase the Sun. 25 Oxted Cyclists took over the cafe, just 2 other cyclists and a couple who quickly ate then left as the noise level was quite high, but the cafe will have been delighted as we must have quadrupled their takings for the morning.
Set out for home in our various groups back via Cowden, Lingfield and Dwelly Lane.
43 miles, 3054ft climbing, 12.7mph (69km, 934m, 20.4kmp).
Thanks to Kim, Sarah, Jason , Paul L-S, Elise in my (Louise) group. Also to Gavin’s group including Jo, Lisa, Steve, Colin, Caroline, Norman and Tony.
Matt’s T3 - Just the five of us today, Michelle, Martyn, Casey, Marcel and myself. There's always plenty of hills when you go to Perryhill, this route ( one of Gavins I believe) includes the enjoyable climb up Priory Road in the Ashdown Forest, where you are then rewarded with the scenic descent from Wych Cross to Colemans Hatch, surely one of the best descents we have in our area.
Well done to Casey, getting stronger by the week on her second T3, 42 windy and hilly miles @13.4 mph with 900m of climbing. Thanks everyone for an enjoyable ride.
Nick’s Birthday Ride, T4 and T5 - Two good sized groups set out to Hadlow for Nick’s 50th birthday ride. Nick picked a hillier route than normal heading out via Clarke’s Lane. At the top of the ridge we came across a lady who had got stuck in a very narrow closed road. Stuart was a real hero reversing her car all the way out. We all met at the cafe where Nick treated us all to coffee and cake, thanks Nick, very generous of you. We headed back in our separate groups. A great ride on a really good route. 48 miles, 3,255 ft ascent at just over 15mph for the T4 and nearly 17mph for the T5.
Roger’s Sunday T4 - A dodgy forecast and change in the weather had us scrambling for our winter bikes on Sunday morning. With a few last minute issues resolved, Austen, Richard, Roger, Russell and Stuart set off for Duddleswell. We picked our way down Sandy Lane and soon found ourselves riding on better surfaces and through improving weather. Austen parted us at Lingfield Race Course to join Paris- Roubaix while the rest of us headed on to Ashdown Forest. We were pleased to discover the ford at the bottom of Twyford Lane has been resurfaced and the bridge replaced. Sadly the sharp climb on the other side is as steep as ever. We made it to the top notwithstanding and headed on to Duddleswell where it was just warm enough to enjoy coffee on the terrace.
The return commenced with a short climb to the top of the Forest and a fast decent to Hartfield. There followed a series of climbs drawing complaints from Richard I-hate-my-groupset Powell and which culminated in a lie down protest, the like of which hasn’t been seen since Neville Southall’s half time protest at Goodison Park. Perhaps it was Stuart who had more grounds for complaint as he suffered a puncture near Edenbridge.
At an average speed of a little under 15mph over 50 miles, we were a little slower than usual, although 4000 feet of climbing and a mid-ride protester probably to blame. Roll on next week.
Have a great weekend,
Richard