Sunday 15th July - Seaside Ride 2018

It's a special thing to arrive  by bike, and when you are arriving at the seaside it is even better.  This year I decided to try out the traffic free section of The Cuckoo Trail, that runs between Heathfield and Polegate, and then on towards the beach at Eastbourne.

After several recce rides on my own, I was finally happy that we could navigate a route from Polegate to Eastbourne without too much difficulty, so it was all systems go.  The route itself is thirty two miles in total; the outward journey is a breeze, being ever so slightly downhill all the way, the return journey is slightly tortuous, especially the last four miles from Hailsham where the gradient increases.  Whilst I was confident that most of our riders could complete the outward leg, I knew the return journey would be tough so I encouraged some dynamic planning; several families dropped their young riders and drove to Eastbourne to meet us, while Johnny and I both left our cars at Hailsham, in case we needed a rescue vehicle.  I also plotted a road route that Malcolm, Hope, Ellen and Polly opted to take.

The day started well; everyone made it to the start point and we were soon rolling towards the seaside.  The old railway line is largely shaded by trees, which given the extremely hot weather we've been having was very welcome.  We made good progress, with only a couple of unscheduled dismounts, the most impressive being when a squirrel ran out in front on Hannah causing her to swerve and skid.  We even negotiated the junctions and road crossings quite effectively on the way into Eastbourne.  No mean feat for a group of twenty cyclists.  Oh what joy to see the glittering blue sea ahead, the kids wasted no time getting into their swim suits and heading for the water.

Hannah, Bronnie, Alice (me), Cayden, Lucy, Joshua, Anna, Ivo
In the sea already Reuben & Mathias

Cayden feeling pleased with himself!

Hannah on a rock :-)

Ellen & Polly arrived via the road, it was hot, they had a few punctures.

Ready to roll: Ivo, Gary, Johnny, Anna, Alice, Bronnie, Mat, Me, Lucy, Joshua, Cayden + Mum
In the background Claire, Hope, Ellen & Malcom - finishing lunch???

An hour later, everyone was refreshed and refuelled and ready to start the return journey.  Just before we left, Ivo got stung by a wasp TWICE. Undeterred, we set off on the sixteen mile return journey (most of it slightly uphill, with no engine to pull us).  In true KVK style we pedalled on; stopping only for emergency Haribo and a couple more unscheduled dismounts (no first aid required this time).  All but one of our party made it all the way back.  We persuaded Anna to hop in the car with Johnny at Hailsham; she was asleep within a few minutes of the engine starting.

Thank you so much to everyone who road, drove or supported this ride.  A great day to recall on a dark winter day, when the prospect of a sunny seaside ride seems a long way off. 

What a great team! Back at Heathfield, 32 miles later.