Mike Anton writes…
For Monday’s 25 event Messrs Hardisty and Seltzer joined me to partake of the even more hilly though very scenic GS/999.
I had forewarned Ben that my fastest speed on a bike (55mph) was done on the first descent and what goes down does unfortunately need to come back up on this course.
Ben was away N# 9 with me somehow on a ‘zero’ behind him. We set off at a decent pace and I managed to catch him along the very twisting lanes through Fulking at the bottom of the Downs.
A quick left for the run down to the turn at the A27 at Shoreham and then back up to Henfield. Now it was at this point that my minute man, Iain Brogden of Eastbourne Rovers, caught me. He’s only been cycling for about 18 months and has already clocked up a ‘56’ on the East Hoathly course, so is a man to watch.
I had expected him to catch me much earlier but once he was by, we proceeded to swap places going up and down the lumps and bumps from Henfield.
The bottom of Newtimber hill eventually arrived and we started the initial grind up. Now I actually prefer the return on this course as there are two little bumps in between the two big hills that totally kill your speed on the way out but help on the return.
We got tangled up with another rider and traffic at the bottom of the last hill and I immediately dropped to 42 X 19 to try and get past Iain. Fortunately I managed it but the very last bit of that climb gets harder every year and I’m sure Mr Kilby moves the finish south a bit further each time.
In the end I got a course PB of 1:5:46 with Andy finishing in 1:8:17 and Ben on 1:14:22. I know Ben was disappointed with his ride but this is a tough course with a finish that’s steeper than our hill climb course.
Mr Tadros comprehensively stuffed everyone again with the only sub hour ride of 58:01. Guy Powdrill of London Dynamo followed up his 2nd on Saturday with another 2nd place, clocking 1:1:41.
We narrowly missed out on the 1st team prize which went to Sussex Nomads. However we did manage an Easter egg and bottle of wine for 2nd team.
