The Final Flourish! The Big Finish?

After a camp cooked breakfast to raise the spirits of even the most despondent we were delivered back to the top of Ditchling Beacon. After waving off our boys we set out on our final day of pedalling, looking forward to lunch and (eventually) the big finish.

The weather wasn't too bad (a bit gloomy but dry) and under tyre was soft and grassy with easy tracks so we made excellent progress We even found time to stop and talk to cows and a calf and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings.

Day 2 begins here! Keen as Mustard!!

One short section saw us off our bikes briefly as gradient, tight turns and tree routes made it impossible to stay on board and then we were back on and whizzing along happily. The morning was going brilliantly.

At Rodmell we met fellow cyclists, a dog walker who though it was OK to let her dogs run loose among cattle and 2 very friendly runners who were happy to stop and chat a while. We left them via a very steep grass track over a rutted field and limericks, depicting our potential fate, took hold.

There was a young lady called Amber
Who found herself on a steep camber
She flew round the bend
And met a bad end
Now get well cards we'll all send her

That was the publishable one! Crossing the bull field Sian's limerick involved a rave, a bull called Dave and an early grave.

Up on the high ground we enjoyed fabulous views across the beacons and watched with dismay as the clouds moved closer and closer and lower and lower and got darker and darker. Lunch time soon though - so no problem!

The rain started as we arrived at Black Cap our lunch time meeting place - but what? no van? Andy and Joe arrived first. Van was lost. We had to cycle one more car park to get to them. The wind picked up. The rain took hold. We were very, very cold (there is a limerick in there somewhere). We sat behind the car until van arrived and the speed at which we all jumped into the van was supremely impressive!

Note: I'm still smiling - the wonders of kettle chips!

The bad bit was having to start all over again. With hoods pulled down tight under our cycling helmets we braved the elements and peddalled over the open downs with cross winds swiping at us all the way. It was utterly miserable. It was grim beyond belief. It was total madness. I can't think of any other way to describe it but nasty. It felt like an age until we finally dropped off the hill and started a slippery descent on chalk into Jevington and then eventually into Alfriston. The joy of finding civilisation caused us to lose concentration for a few brief moments. We glided through the village at such pace that a (slight) navigational error was inevitable and eventually re-routed to enjoy a relatively calm trip along the river and through woods.

As the weather brightened so did we and I almost remember the long, long, going onward and upward and never ending chalk track with affection. Really!

And then, all of a sudden, Beachy Head was ahead (tempting but...) and the cruise along the coastline down into Eastbourne was a truly enjoyable event. We arrived in Eastbourne and headed for Tourist Information to end our epic ride. And round the corner stood our lovely, long suffering and ever supportive families together with our slightly bemused friends (Scott, Karen and Charlie) who had 'daytripped' to Eastbourne to see the end of 'the ride' expecting bunting and banners and cheering crowds and were surprised to find they were it.

With much cheering and waving and handing out the all important champagne we were welcomed back to reality. 

Cheers!



And that's it. All over. Watch this space. 2012 is just around the corner.