Chairman’s Bank Holiday Ride: Middle Farm, Firle

Chairman’s Bank Holiday Ride

Start: 8:30 (Boots, Uckfield)

Distance: 55-60 miles (90-100 km)

Elevenses: Middle Farm (Firle)

Format: Group NO DROP

Finish:  1:00-1:30pm (Boots, Uckfield)

The August Bank Holiday Monday will start from Uckfield at 8:30 and ride at an all-inclusive pace for elevenses at Middle Farm.  The route will be similar (but not identical!) to the Cycling Weekly ride last year, taking in the Ashdown Forest, Lewes Castle, Firle, Chiddingly Lanes and return to Uckfield.  The pace will be suitable for all members, and NO DROP.  However, for those that wish to test their legs, there will be three Chairman’s Challenges on the way.  The distance will be somewhere between 55 and 60 miles, depending on whether you choose to ride the extras.

Club kit if you can, please and by all means invite cycling friends along.

Chairman’s Challenge #1 – “Chelwood Chase”

The first challenge will start on the Ashdown Forest after about 8 miles.  The main group will take a direct route from Nutley, through Chelwood Gate to Furners Green where Tanyard Lane meets the A275.  This is just over 4 miles and should take roughly 15-17 mins (mostly downhill but on small roads). For the challengers, head north on the A22 to Wych Cross, take the left turn down the Lewes Road (A275) and follow it through Danehill to Tanyard Lane junction at Furners Green.  A distance of roughly 7 miles.  Is it possible to do it in 15-17 mins?  Yes – it’s mainly downhill! (except for the nasty climb up to Wych Cross).  It’s not easy, but I think a group working closely together could do it – as long as they work together.  We will re-group at the Tanyard Lane-A275 junction, before heading through the country lanes, together, to Lewes.

Chairman’s Challenge #2 – “Firle Bostal”

Not so much a chase, more an option for a masochistic mash up the club’s very own hill climb.  The main group will ride to Firle at the bottom of the climb before opting for the flatter gradients to Middle Farm for coffee.  For those that want to take the challenge – ride up Firle Beacon and back down to re-group at Middle Farm.  No need to chase, take as much time as you wish – it will stagger the queue for coffee.

Chairman’s Challenge #3 – “Chaingang Challenge”

An opportunity to ride some of the Chaingang circuit.  Fairly soon after Middle Farm, we will pass through the southern end of the clubs chaingang circuit.  We will proceed down Langtye Lane together, then the main group will do a short loop of just over 3 miles (Chalvington and Ripe) to re-form at Langtye Lane/Lower Wick Street.  We will ride at a very steady pace in chaingang format – a taster for those who have not chainganged before.  For those that want something more leg burning, you can do the full chaingang circuit up to Golden Cross and back down through Ripe and Langtye Lane to Lower Wick Street.   At roughly 7 miles it will probably take you a bit longer, but we will wait awhile and all re-group at at Langtye Lane/Lower Wick Street, before lightly spinning on to Chiddingly and Uckfield.

Hope to see you on Monday