The Shoreham Century

Quieter than usual at Cheam, and only Simon was there as I arrived. Elevenses for the Bs was at Molesey and didn't need a nine o'clock start, and the Hostellers were meeting at Henfold, so the eight of us who were there at 0900 were all on their way to Shoreham.

Through Ewell and over the Downs to Walton at a good pace - which we maintained all day - then fast down Pebble Hill and on through Brockham towards Henfold. We saw Ian on Red Lane, taking a phone call, and soon after were reminded of the advantages of the bicycle as we were easily able to pass a large container lorry stopped short at the railway bridge on Henfold Lane. Neil was already waiting for us at Henfold, and a steady stream of Hostellers and Century riders arrived over the next few minutes.

Fourteen of us set off at 1045, immediately supplemented by Luc, who had missed his way and added on a couple of miles via Newdigate. So we were fifteen and rolling South.

Familiar roads at first through Rusper and Faygate, swiftly up Tower Hill to Colegate and a steady roll at more than 20 mph down Grouse Road to the Hammer Ponds. Here we had our second bit of excitement, also solved by the bicycle. The road was closed with fairly extensive road-works going on, but we took the view that closed roads didn't apply to cyclists, a view happily shared by the road-menders. They cheerfully folded up bits of machinery to let us pass, and shouted encouragement as we went up the short steep hill past the ponds. Many of us were caught out by being in the wrong gear, which added to the fun.

Crossing into Hamshire Hill the first hour was up, with just over thirteen miles from Henfold, so we were well on the pace. Down through Warninglid, with a couple of dropped chains on the fast and rough descent down Sprockett's Lane, then a short stop for Neil to pump up his rear tyre. He had a slow puncture and was hoping to make it last to lunch.

Blackstone Lane, newly resurfaced with sharp, stony top-dressing put paid to that plan, so Neil dropped out to fix his puncture and would meet us at the pub.

We cracked on, picking up the tarmac-ed part of the Downs Link and were initially pleased to find that it has been extended, then a bit dismayed to find that it wasn't finished, and that a couple of hundred yards of marble-sized gravel wasn't optional. But we've all watched the Paris-Roubaix on the telly, so, hands on the tops, relaxed stance, stay on the crown and plenty of power and before you could say Cancellara we were in the Bridge Inn.

Peter was waiting for us - indeed, he had been waiting for quite a while. He had started at about eight o'clock from Guildford riding the Downs Link on his mountain bike, en route for relatives in Seaford, and had arrived at Shoreham at about 1230. We were nearer 1330 than the planned 1315. Peter joined us for lunch, and a few minutes later Neil rolled in, all fixed. He was on his way to Brighton, so a half-century for him so far, and fourteen of us set off along the sea front before turning North past the airport and up a couple of not-entirely-welcome little hills on the way to Steyning.

By Partridge Green we had reached a bit of a post-lunch trough, but with a short break for drinks and snacks we refreshed ourselves for the push to tea. Here we had our second puncture - Luc was the unlucky one this time - and he, like Neil, said that he would sort himself out and meet us in Horsham. This didn't work out so well, as poor old Luc got lost in Horsham and made his own way home to Epsom, arriving about 1930, which is a pretty good show.

Thirteen of us arrived at the Steam Packet Cafe in Horsham, immediately reduced to a dozen by Jeff's departure. He needed to get home - the rest of us took on substantial quantities of tea and cake, setting off again in a couple of drops of rain that came to nothing.

Once on the Rusper Road things were more familiar, and everyone knows that familiar miles are easy miles, so we got on with it and arrived at Wetherspoons in Leatherhead at about half past six. Some carried on to get their hundred, some had a drink first, and some called it a day. But, at 90.19 miles from Cheam, and a rolling average speed of 13.6 mph, everyone had good reason to feel pleased. 4,545 feet of ascent, 4,040 calories and an average power output of 98 watts - a very strong performance. The highest speed was 40.2 mph on Pebble Hill, though, to be fair, not everyone was daft enough to do it.

Shoreham Century - done.

Mark