Wanderers saddle up for exhausting rides

CYCLING: Lewes Wanderers Cycling Club's members had the opportunity to test their fitness and resolve by tackling two tough rides on consecutive days on the weekend.

On Saturday, Peter Price, Sam Ramsey, Tony Gale, Chris Martin and John Miller set out from Hailsham to take part in what is widely recognised as one of the toughest rides on the local Audax calendar – the fearsome Hills and Mills event.

The title is somewhat misleading, as mills are hard to spot on the 102k traverse, but hills there are aplenty. The unremitting terrain sees riders climbing legendary ascents, such as Kidds Hill on Ashdown Forest, as well as some gruelling stretches around Brightling. All the Lewes riders successfully completed the event.

Sunday saw the running of the Wanderers' annual reliability trial, superbly organised by Ian McGuckin and Stuart Anderson. There is a subtle, but important distinction, between an Audax and reliability ride. Both rides require cyclists to complete a fixed circuit, but whereas there is no time limit on an Audax ride, a reliability ride requires riders to finish within a prescribed time window.

The headquarters at Chailey was awash with colours from many clubs, and the mild spring-like day helped to swell the entries to over 60 riders. The tough 45-mile route traced a circular path around Chailey, with the fierce climb at the Ardingly Reservoir splitting the field at approximately 15 miles into the ride.

At the halfway point, riders addressed calorie deficiency with copious helpings of sticky cakes provided by Peter and Ann Baker.

Fifty riders successfully completed their rides in the allocated times. Most notably, Chris Martin, Tony Gale and John Miller completed both rides at the weekend, no mean achievement.

At the well-attended annual meeting, the club made a ground-breaking decision: in all club time-trial events, it will be compulsory for riders to wear a helmet. In adopting this proposal, members have sent out a clear signal advocating the importance of safety for all competitors taking part in the club's events.