July 23rd mtb ride, AFTERMATH

[Mike Muz]

It dawned a cracking day for a ride, so was pleased I'd polished up the bike for another retro meet.

WP_20170723_09_46_37_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr

Within a few minutes, Tim75 turned up along with friend Mike ( whose user name I've forgotten, sorry :facepalm: ), then Jamie aka Keep it Steel.

WP_20170723_10_19_01_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr

I wasn't optimistic about Tim's white tyres staying that colour!

So off we set, heading for Devil's Dyke, and a long drag up to it, it was! When we got there, Johnboy was waiting for us, with his lovely Overburys and even lovelier flapjack!

IMG_1332 by Michael Murray, on Flickr

Down the side of the Dyke we went,

WP_20170723_11_18_05_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr

Before stopping at the cafe on the South Downs Way, at Saddlescombe Farm.

IMG_1333 by Michael Murray, on Flickr

Jamie insisting on getting a photo of me :roll:

IMG_1334 by Michael Murray, on Flickr

Coffee consumed, we trundled up the horrid climb from the farm, and onto the Sussex Border Path, nice bit of long downhill recovery here!

Then up towards Ditchling Beacon again, another long hill :facepalm: Sorry lads! :roll:

IMG_1335 by Michael Murray, on Flickr

Took the opportunity to take a photo of the Chattri, a memorial to the Indian soldiers who died in the First World War.

WP_20170723_13_00_40_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr

Then after a short cut ( winging it! ) we ended up riding some lovely rooty singletrack through Stanmer Park, and on to the Swan pub at Falmer for lunch. With dampness in the air, and John about to bail, it was a well timed stop! He stayed with us for lunch, before peeling off to get back home.

IMG_1337 by Michael Murray, on Flickr

Food FINALLY consumed, after what seemed like AAAAAAGES, we set off for up a long drag up to Woodingdean and down to Brighton.

WP_20170723_15_07_13_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr

Just a long descent now lads, and with an ever threatening sky, it couldn't have come at a better time!

There were a few spots of rain for the last few miles, but we were concentrating too much not to hit any pedestrians on the cycle path, to notice, I think!

WP_20170723_15_34_51_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr

WP_20170723_15_35_06_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr

Last couple of photos riding alongside Hove lawns, before going our separate ways. Had the weather been more conducive, I could have extended it quite a bit, but I hope you all enjoyed the ride we did.

Great to see you all lads, thanks for coming along!

Hope to see you all soon, take care.

Mike

 

[KeepItSteel]

Nicely done Mike, many thanks for organising - highlight for me (other than John's flapjack) was the rapid decent of the Dyke - if we didn't have to slow for the dog walkers I reckon we'd have topped the Strava boards!

 

[Johnboy]

Re:

Thoroughly enjoyed it Mike, best bits for me were the singletrack in Stanmer Park, and meeting up with you all. Worst bit was the hills, still I suppose if you agree to go on a ride in the South Downs you've got to expect that!

I caught the rain on the top of West Hill by Saddlescombe, just about the most exposed area of my journey back, typical.

Thanks for the flapjack complements, I suppose I'm obliged to bring them to every ride I come on now?

I'm sure I'll be along on another one soon just to slow you all down a bit. The doctors tell me I should recover enough after a week of complete rest .

 

[tim75]

Re:

Thanks for another good ride Mike, looking forward to the next one. I only took a couple of pics.

 

[godders]

Re:

Sorry I missed a great ride by the looks of it but looking forward to the next one

Mick