Hi folks,
Here's a report from a little ride a few of us did today.
Having told the others to meet at the Amsterdam pub at 10am, I was a bit miffed when I got there - a few minutes late!
- to find no-one waiting.
After a few minutes, I realised I was outside the Red Lion pub, on the opposite side of the roundabout! :facepalm:
Lo and behold, there they were, waiting for me! :roll:
IMG_1688 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
From the left, Gerard with his AMP Research full sus shiny machine, Keep it steel with a ti bike :? and Tim75 also with a recently revived ti bike!
IMG_1689 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1690 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
So off we went, up past Lancing College, a long draggy climb to warm us up, in sunny but chilly conditions.
IMG_1691 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
It has to be said, trail conditions were a bit sketchy, lots of puddles and very slippery, mainly owing to yesterday's rain.
Stopping to pay our respects at 11am.
IMG_1692 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Then onwards and downwards we continued, towards Cissbury Ring.
IMG_1694 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
I don't think Gerard was feeling sick at this point,
IMG_1695 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Someone :roll: thought it would be a good idea to stray off the main track, and take in a bit of a loop to make it more interesting. :facepalm:
So we had a nice walk,
IMG_1697 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Isn't it great that you can use your chain as a mud clearing device!
IMG_1699 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Before a nice wheel wash, :shock: I still don't know how you kept that bike on 2 wheels, Gerard! Cunningly hiding the terror in his eyes behind Jamie!
IMG_1700 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Swiftly followed by Tim, with his annoyingly grippy Cheng Shin tyres! :evil: Honestly, I don't know how you did it!
IMG_1701 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Stopping at the top, to catch our breath. A couple of us walked up to here, tyres not gripping at all. And walking was not much better!
IMG_1702 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Onto what should have been a lovely bit of singletrack, turned instead into a mudfest, with a crosswind pushing us all into the hill on our right! I've never known it so tricky up here!
IMG_1704 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Having got through that, we continued north - still headwind and trying to avoid the biggest puddles :facepalm: - towards Chanctonbury Ring. Where we took in the view.
IMG_1706 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Along the ridge for a mile or so, before turning off the South Downs Way, north again, to this lovely bit of bridleway, where I took the only video worth bothering with as it turned out! :facepalm:
https://youtu.be/gBEzHOrHZDM
Then along the bottom of Chanctonbury, alongside the A24, we had just one more long climb to go, and heading towards a late lunch, we were all motivated to get up it. The wind more favourable now, crosswind! So slightly less cold! :roll:
Along the top of the SDW now, with wind behind us, and the Sun warming us up, there was just a nice bit of singletrack to go, before dropping into Steyning for the cafe stop. I'm pleased it was sheltered and warm outside, or I might have faced a mutiny, having forgotten to reserve a table. :facepalm: Owing to the state of us, it may have been a bit embarassing to go in anyway!
Top of Steyning before the drop down to CAKE!
IMG_1708 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
A few more bike photos for you.
IMG_1709 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1711 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1712 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Fuelled up, we bid Jamie farewell, as he lives close to the cafe and continued the last, nice, flat, mud-free few miles along the Downs Link, to where we started
IMG_1713 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Before bidding farewell to Gerard and Tim, and carrying on my ride home. Only a few miles more.
End of ride bike photo.
IMG_1714 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Naturally, I washed the bike before I headed for the shower!
IMG_1715 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Thanks to all of you for turning up! Sorry it was a bit of a slippery slog around my playground, hope to do better in the Spring!
Mike
Here's a report from a little ride a few of us did today.
Having told the others to meet at the Amsterdam pub at 10am, I was a bit miffed when I got there - a few minutes late!
- to find no-one waiting. After a few minutes, I realised I was outside the Red Lion pub, on the opposite side of the roundabout! :facepalm:
Lo and behold, there they were, waiting for me! :roll:
IMG_1688 by Michael Murray, on FlickrFrom the left, Gerard with his AMP Research full sus shiny machine, Keep it steel with a ti bike :? and Tim75 also with a recently revived ti bike!
IMG_1689 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1690 by Michael Murray, on FlickrSo off we went, up past Lancing College, a long draggy climb to warm us up, in sunny but chilly conditions.
IMG_1691 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIt has to be said, trail conditions were a bit sketchy, lots of puddles and very slippery, mainly owing to yesterday's rain.
Stopping to pay our respects at 11am.
IMG_1692 by Michael Murray, on FlickrThen onwards and downwards we continued, towards Cissbury Ring.
IMG_1694 by Michael Murray, on FlickrI don't think Gerard was feeling sick at this point,
IMG_1695 by Michael Murray, on FlickrSomeone :roll: thought it would be a good idea to stray off the main track, and take in a bit of a loop to make it more interesting.
:facepalm:So we had a nice walk,
IMG_1697 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIsn't it great that you can use your chain as a mud clearing device!
IMG_1699 by Michael Murray, on FlickrBefore a nice wheel wash, :shock: I still don't know how you kept that bike on 2 wheels, Gerard! Cunningly hiding the terror in his eyes behind Jamie!
IMG_1700 by Michael Murray, on FlickrSwiftly followed by Tim, with his annoyingly grippy Cheng Shin tyres! :evil: Honestly, I don't know how you did it!
IMG_1701 by Michael Murray, on FlickrStopping at the top, to catch our breath. A couple of us walked up to here, tyres not gripping at all. And walking was not much better!
IMG_1702 by Michael Murray, on FlickrOnto what should have been a lovely bit of singletrack, turned instead into a mudfest, with a crosswind pushing us all into the hill on our right! I've never known it so tricky up here!
IMG_1704 by Michael Murray, on FlickrHaving got through that, we continued north - still headwind and trying to avoid the biggest puddles :facepalm: - towards Chanctonbury Ring. Where we took in the view.
IMG_1706 by Michael Murray, on FlickrAlong the ridge for a mile or so, before turning off the South Downs Way, north again, to this lovely bit of bridleway, where I took the only video worth bothering with as it turned out! :facepalm:
https://youtu.be/gBEzHOrHZDM
Then along the bottom of Chanctonbury, alongside the A24, we had just one more long climb to go, and heading towards a late lunch, we were all motivated to get up it. The wind more favourable now, crosswind! So slightly less cold! :roll:
Along the top of the SDW now, with wind behind us, and the Sun warming us up, there was just a nice bit of singletrack to go, before dropping into Steyning for the cafe stop. I'm pleased it was sheltered and warm outside, or I might have faced a mutiny, having forgotten to reserve a table. :facepalm: Owing to the state of us, it may have been a bit embarassing to go in anyway!
Top of Steyning before the drop down to CAKE!
IMG_1708 by Michael Murray, on FlickrA few more bike photos for you.
IMG_1709 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1711 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1712 by Michael Murray, on FlickrFuelled up, we bid Jamie farewell, as he lives close to the cafe and continued the last, nice, flat, mud-free few miles along the Downs Link, to where we started
IMG_1713 by Michael Murray, on FlickrBefore bidding farewell to Gerard and Tim, and carrying on my ride home. Only a few miles more.
End of ride bike photo.
IMG_1714 by Michael Murray, on FlickrNaturally, I washed the bike before I headed for the shower!
IMG_1715 by Michael Murray, on FlickrThanks to all of you for turning up! Sorry it was a bit of a slippery slog around my playground, hope to do better in the Spring!
Mike
