East Sussex Byways + lots of rain
East Sussex Byways + lots of rain
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Discussion

Beer Man

Original Poster:

249 posts

143 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Saturday was interesting!

Blunts Lane from Anchor Lane at Barcombe to White bridge at Isfield is currently impassable. Rode it the other week and it was sriously boggy but add a couple of weeks of Autumn and wooooooaaaahhhh!

When I eventually got traction, picked what looked to be the firmest route through one patch then WALLOP, right up to the hubs and me over the bars landing in an ungainly, soggy and muddy heap biggrin (No pictures I'm afraid, phone still drying out!)

Then add a fallen tree that was blocking the gate to the footbridge, decided that it would probably be easier to climb over the tree with the bike than attempt the Somme again.

Was bloody brilliant! Still went on for another 30 odd miles before a well deserved pint biggrin

Think it'll be up on the downs for my training for winter as the tracks around here are only going to get worse!

How are your local runs looking?

richardxjr

7,561 posts

239 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Trouble is the icy chalk on the downs is even more lethal!
Roads for me now, well, muddy potholed gritty flooded lanes anyway. On the skimpy 29er ss if I finish it this week smile






Abagnale

366 posts

143 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
I binned mine on the greasy chalk last week, I was sure I'd broken the frame, but it turned out I'd chipped a chunk of paint off. Also a chunk of elbow, but hey ho. Anyway, two out of my three local routes up on the downs are impassable now, but I agree with the OP, I love these mucky autumn days, the more muddy, the better. Brings out my inner kid.

Beer Man

Original Poster:

249 posts

143 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Abagnale said:
I binned mine on the greasy chalk last week, I was sure I'd broken the frame, but it turned out I'd chipped a chunk of paint off. Also a chunk of elbow, but hey ho. Anyway, two out of my three local routes up on the downs are impassable now, but I agree with the OP, I love these mucky autumn days, the more muddy, the better. Brings out my inner kid.
Excellent! Well, not tyhe chunk out of the elbow. Whereabouts on the downs do you ride?

Abagnale

366 posts

143 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
All over from Lewes to Arundel, but mostly over the Brighton side. Never ceases to amaze me that ten minutes from the racecourse you're in a bunch of valleys, cheek by jowl with the city.

Beer Man

Original Poster:

249 posts

143 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Might see you up there sometime!

richardxjr

7,561 posts

239 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
I'm the other way, Lewes to Eastbourne, Long Man Brewery country wink

Beer Man

Original Poster:

249 posts

143 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
I know it well!

Plow and Harrow is a nice pub. Trying to get our beer on there which would be entertaining seeing as it's on the doorstep of Long Man HQ smile


richardxjr

7,561 posts

239 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Get it in the 8 Bells Jevington. Virtually on the SDW, Friston Forest and Beachy Head road route so loads of riders drink there. What beer then? If it's even better than Long Blonde after a sweaty ride you'll be a millionaire biggrin

Kermit power

29,622 posts

242 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Fortunately most of the Surrey Hills gets muddy, but not usually to the point of being impossible. It just makes it more fun! biggrin

The ridge of the North Downs containing Ranmore Common can get nasty though. Some parts are slippery chalk, and other parts claggy horrible mud which makes you stop every 100 yards to clear it out from the frame or the wheels just stop going round!

Abagnale

366 posts

143 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Beer Man said:
Might see you up there sometime!
I hope so. beer