Shoreham Century – Ride Report

We had 44 signed up, only one dns and one joined on the day, making for an interesting challenge for John Austin and me as joint ride organisers.

The Bridge had requested us not to pre-order food, which given the unpredictability of our arrival times was wise. I had expected the pub to be crowded, as in previous years, so the prudent approach was to get as many riders to Shoreham as early as possible, hence the early starts from Tanhouse, with A & B groups effectively starting at 5 minute intervals. In the event the pub was quiet, apart from us, and the service generally speedy, and always friendly. By prior arrangement the manager had organised bike parking inside, plus closing off one car parking space outside. Thoughtful.

Tim Gibbons led the first B group:

The day could not have got off to a better start as we made our way to Tanhouse Farm in bright and clear conditions. Arriving at 9am some early birds were already enjoying refreshment in the morning sunshine. 

The first B group left just after 10am and made our way at a measured pace towards Rusper and beyond. As forecast the temperature rose as the day progressed so it was particularly welcome to find that many of the roads and country lanes were shaded by trees and hedges.

Being overtaken by A group riders came as no surprise but being passed by the second B group (led by Dave Fixie) travelling at breakneck speed, was a bit unexpected. There did seem to be a lack of coherence amongst this ‘express’ group as a number of poor souls were frantically trying to keep up with the ‘Tour de Sussex’ pace set by their leader.

Sadly one of our group was lured by this flash of showmanship and decided to defect and join the ‘wacky cyclists’. He was last seen disappearing over the horizon. Was our loss their gain?

Undeterred by this fleeting example we made our own determined and consistent progress (at our own pace) through the remaining scenic countryside.

Ever onwards and southwards we eventually got our first glimpse of the South Downs and relished the thought of not having to cycle over them. Joining the latter end of the Downs Link cycle path provided a civilised approach to Shoreham and the coast.

Our arrival at ‘The Bridge’ was a welcome break after three hours in the saddle. We all enjoyed an alfresco lunch with our fellow A and B riders.

Thanks to everyone involved in organising such a successful event and enjoyable ride. Always a bonus to have fine weather to compliment a well planned route. A good day had by all!


Fixie Dave led the second B Group:

Our Middling/Happy group of eleven riders set off from Tanhouse, near enough at our allocated time of 10.15am. Clive J, Mick A, Alan C, Diane P, Alyson Y, Bernard P, Sabina W, Tony Hr, Stephen, Paul & myself sub-leader Dave C. Many thanks to our good shepherd back marker Alan. Welcome Alyson and Paul, both Saturday riders and new to the Midweek Wayfarers.

Our cycle ride to Shoreham flowed along well, at an average pace of about 10.8mph. This average pace was consistent on the ride out from North Cheam, & the return leg home.

We picked up a stray Wayfarer about half way to Shoreham, (Perhaps ejected from his group?)

It came to pass along our journey that Tim G managed to Lead & back mark, at the same time, quite an achievement.

Our lunch at the Bridge Inn was served quite quickly, for most of us, but some had to wait longer than others. 

Many thanks to Neil for his magnanimous gesture in giving our group ice-creams (on the hoof ) lifted our spirits with his kindness!

No mechanicals and no inclement weather, always seem to be a bonus.

Many thanks to our good shepherd back marker Alan. Thanks to Mark G for the route.


Tim, as last off writes:-

Riding nearly 22 miles over the Epsom Downs with over 1000 feet of altitude gain we were well warmed up for the big ride down to Shoreham. Lilian, Anne, Madeleine, Helen and Terry comprised our little team and with a slightly delayed departure managed a good pace throughout the morning. We took a relaxing break at the Royal Oak in Wineham although those of us who didn't purchase any refreshments didn't feel entirely welcome with our request to top up water bottles. 

With minor anxieties about a couple of points in the route I had looked into the best strategy for crossing the very busy A283 (at mile 26.3) and saw that there is a small car park just off the roundabout where we arrive at the A283 from Upper Beeding. From the car park there is a good path through the long grass along to the crossing point. At this point we waited for our moment when there was almost a gap in the traffic and a motorist coming up from Shoreham who slowed right down for us to cross. From that point the ride along the Downs Link was a real pleasure and we were soon at the pub.

Nearly everyone had departed from The Bridge by the time we got there but it did seem to mean that our lunches were delivered quickly. Among the few others still there was Angie who lives just 12 miles along the coast nowadays.

After lunch Madeleine and Helen wanted to go for a paddle before catching their train. Terry caught a train while Lilian, Anne and I set off for Horsham for our trains. At the beach Helen and Madeleine joined us for a photo before their encounter with the ocean.

The 22.5 mile ride to Horsham was further and more hilly than I had remembered, due probably to the enduring memory from last year, being that of riding through a torrential rainstorm. We had a good ride up but didn't have the legs to go any further so 'chapeau' to the several B riders who rode all the way.

Thank you to Terry for backmarking and to everyone for your cheerful company while persevering with the long ride. Thanks to John for doing all the admin on behalf of B Group and thanks to Dave Vine for overall organisation and his recce to check that the route was still good.


NeilC led the first, hybrid/electric group off at 10.00: 

Sunshine and a little bit of tailwind en route to Tanhouse Farm bode well for a great day out. And so it was.

Just after 10.00 I led Mark, Mike B, Frances Brian and Geoff on a calm and event-free ride to Shoreham. 

As we reached the River Adur for the final approach to Shoreham we appeared to have a headwind. Could this really be happening? I've heard these legends of days when the wind turns to blow you home but never experienced one. But today was the day!

After lunch I lost four of the group to more coastline, more gravel, more comfort and less heat, so Brian and I joined Dave V for the ride home. Drinks were taken at Horsham and Leatherhead, and I arrive home happy after a perfect day awheel.

 

Ged led the second A group departing at 10.10:

Patrick beamed as he quenched his thirst with a cold Guinness - a pint never tasted so good after a long, hot ride! We shared his enjoyment at the Edmund Tylney. 

Apart from a traditional photo-op at the village pond, The Street, (where we caught Neil's group), the morning flowed nicely, reaching the Bridge in two hours. After reminding Hans to collect his bike from the foreshore photo shoot, we stopped for ice creams in Partridge Green.

Unfortunately Steve punctured soon afterwards, but far worse occurred in Maplehurst Road when his derailleur disintegrated. (Ever resourceful, he fixed the chain to a single cog, enabling a more than strenuous finish at the Pavilions - and collection). With Hans and Fiona departing, four of us stayed for well-earned drinks in Leatherhead. Many thanks to Dave for a very well planned day in glorious June sunshine.

Dave’s report:

My group of Gill, Sue F, Sue C Richard, Keith and Mike Reynell, as back marker – many thanks Mike – see later, left at 10.30 making a nice compact peloton for an uninterrupted ride south. Arriving at around 1pm, we found the first two groups in mid-lunch. The first two B groups arrived not long after, and seating was found for all.

Neil had been deserted by all his group apart from Brian, so they joined us, while Sue F elected for the train home. We also attracted Clive from the B’s.

Having ascertained that Tim’s group was almost in sight on the Adur path we left around 2.15 for a leisurely tour round the harbour, photoshoot, and back on the road at 2.30.



We exchanged places on the road a couple of times with Fixie’s followers, and approaching Partridge Green Neil raced ahead to secure ice cream supplies. His generosity extended to Fixie’s group, who declined to stop, forcing him to race ahead again to deliver the treats on the road.

Maplehurst appears to be the cycling equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle as Keith punctured here. The group continued to Horsham, but Keith assisted by Mike was soon on the road, and indeed overtook us in mysterious fashion in Horsham.

Sue C left us for the train in Horsham, and the rest of the group got to Leatherhead where we found Keith and Mike. There we also met Ged’s group. All very convivial. I used the excuse of a second drink to wait for Fixie to arrive towing a good number of B’s. That accounted for everyone on the road. Even Steve, rescued from Horsham by a heroic wife, joined us, in civilian clothes and with instrument case on his way to the Leatherhead Orchestra. Thanks John Austin for shared organisation, and to everyone for coming and making this such an enjoyable day out. The weather helps, but it’s the riders that make the difference.

PS Nice to be welcomed by Angie, our most regular attendee on the Shoreham Century. And thanks to Pete Beyer for interrupting his morning ride at Tanhouse to photo-record our departure groups.