Brighton Bash 2005

Bashers reports

The day arrived all sunny and lovely. I rode up to Titsy with Simon [ Lucky] Little to arrive there at about 8.10am.A little later a lone rider appearedand introduced himself as Alex, a friend of Chris, then after a phone call toOz, Neil Gillespie arrived on his all singing and dancing Pinarello. They setoff at about 8.40am, on way to meet Don Wake at Turners Hill.Well I waited and waited and waited at bit more and by 9.30am had myself Dave
Oz, Dave Hickman,John Mulvaney,Barry Meens,Keith Thornton,Mark Lloyd,Dave Churchill [ from Big Foot bikes ] Chris Ogilvy, Chris Whitlock and little big John [ friend of the Chris's ].

We set off at about 9.35am, the Ridge left onto Chalk Pit and headed off toward Crowhurst and Lingfield.

 

A steady pace was set [well I thought it was steady] to a bit of whinging, so a steadier pace was then undertaken, via Copthorne, Turners Hill, Ditchling Common, then the dreaded Col du Ditchling.

In the ascent of Ditchling, the wily Fatherjac had surreptitiously gone off the front just before Ditchling Common, and had a good gap going into the climb proper. Keith Thornton made a valiant effort to cross the gap. Looking very Armstrong like, it seemed as if he was dancing on the pedals! But to no avail Fatherjac held him off and took the polka dot jersey on the Brighton Bash this year!!. Another who must be mentioned is be Dave Churchill, whose very impressive chase bagged him third place on the climb.

Anyway at the top we had a very pleasant surprise, Nick and June Hooper were there taking Photos of us all suffering, nice to see them both though. Club Photos were then taken and it was the mad dash into Brighton, although John Mulvaney and Chris Whitlock insisted on going the long way.

The 9.30 group arrived about 20mins after the 8.30 group at Roe Cafe, where we were met by Nicky and Clove, much grub was consumed and Oz took several orders destined for other people.

We all departed after yet another photo and headed off east towards Rotting but then turned in land. We were led by our esteemed President Don Wake, some off the time . The return ride had 17 riders,it was impressive and upset more than just a couple of impatient car drivers, as we headed north to North Charley. Here we stopped at a pub for refreshments again with Nick and June.

 

 

At this point a decision was made to accompany Don, as a club, so as to safely deliver him to his car at Turners Hill, this was done. Leaving Don at Turners Hill was like shaking a red rag at a bull, high speed antics were a must, almost all the way to Ling, don't know who started it, but it wasn't me, I promise! Oz is well in the frame for it.The ride through the back end of Crow ended with Dave Churchill taking the Sprint up the hill through the woods. It all then became a little more subdued as everybody began the ascent up to the A25, it basically then was Plackets Batley and home.

It was a really great day, fantastic weather and company and a fun ride, for me, 113.5 miles in all. everyone had a good time I'm sure.

Just a final note I must mention Neil Gillespie and Alex both had not ridden that sort of distance for a long time, if at all and deserve a big pat on the back.

All the best Bashers...and here's some power to our elbow!!