The London to Brighton overnighter is something I have completed several times with my friend Dr John but believe me, this particular adventure was to prove memorable in more ways than one!
Straight away, things took an unexpected turn when cycling through Hyde Park travelling south, all of the gates were locked. There were several cyclists on hire bikes trying to lift their bicycles over the locked gates. Knowing that one gate might actually be open, I headed towards it to find it locked. A member of the Parks Security sitting in a car indicated where the open gate was and I travelled through. Despite this, another cyclist could be seen all but throwing their bicycle over the same gate moments later?!
Arriving at our meeting point I saw Dr John waiting. It was good to see him and soon we were off into the night. We turned right at The Old Vic and our adventure truly began.
It was a mild night and quiet on the roads. There just didn’t seem to be too many people out an about. We knew that there would be rain at some point but as the weather forecasts in the days before our ride has changed frequently, we didn’t really care.
At our left turn past Clapham and all the busy nightclubs packed with people both inside and out, things got much calmer. On this road we usually spot an urban fox or two going about their business. Soon we saw one and then at least three small fluffy cubs, playfully bounding around.
As we cycled along we chewed the fat and caught up on all the things we had been up to. (I think that our last ride might have been last December).
Sticking to our tried and tested route, we soon arrived at Farthing Downs and its cattle grid. This marked the point at which the urban landscape more or less gives way to a more rural aspect. We had a snack and just as we got ready to set off again, a few drops of rain started falling. This was to be followed by a great deal more!
The rain was quite light for a good few miles but very much a constant companion. We arrived Outwood Wimdmill and stopped to take some photos. Construction for this began in 1665 and it is said those working it could see the orange/red glow of the Great Fire of London in 1666.
At this point - I think - Dr John started to complain about the rainwater in his eyes.
Just before Turners Hill we stopped an inn that had a seating area outside. We parked our Brompton bikes and tucked into the snacks we had brought with us.
We approached Turners Hill and perhaps because of the constant rain, it felt much longer than it usually did. In fact this was a feature of any incline. Dr John revealed that the probable cause of his sore eyes was the fact he has used body moisturising lotion after his bath and may have also applied some to his face.
At certain points Dr John had to stop as his eyes were painful due to the incorrect application of moisturising body lotion on his face. I found out that it was of the avocado variety and made a mental note that should I ever apply moisturising body location, it must not be near my face!
On the wildlife front (in addition to foxes) we also saw a few badgers that darted across our paths. The highlight though was see twe female Red Deer running side by side on the country lane ahead of us and then almost magically disappearing through the hedgerow.
At the junction in the photo below we would normally turn right and then cycle up the usual route to Ditchling Beacon. Both of us had had enough and knowing there was a much fabled calmer route avoiding considerable gradients, I used my Wahoo to find it. We turned left and then almost immediately right. What an
error of judgement!
Things started off rather well. It was a narrow road that looked as if cars wound stray onto. It was steep at times but nothing we couldn’t handle. This soon changed. The gradient became worse than anything on the usual route and the surface was so terrible we were forced to get off and push. While this happened the rain fell and Dr John could be seen further down the road with an expression on his face like Juliette Stevenson when she cries a lot in ‘Truly Madly Deeply.’ Just when I thought it could not get worse…it did.
At the top of our new route the road gave way to open countryside. We had to walk along for about a mile before we arrived at the top of Ditchling Beacon - the bit we normally arrive at when cycling up the traditional route. I could have cycled along this quite happily. I mean, I had my G-Line with me after all. However, I kept this to myself as I didn’t want to leave Dr John. In fact I felt a little like James Garner when in ‘The Great Escape’ he helps the character Donald Pleasance plays!
Eventually we made it to the open road with the rain started to subside a little. It was then straight to the station and on our respect train - me central London and Dr John slightly further afield.
On the train I felt wet because I was soaking. My gloves were heavy with the weight of water and I started to steam slightly as the water evaporated. I also had to fight staying awake.
At Farringdon I got off and after cycling at a gentle pace, was soon back home. After a shower, some food and a few hours sleep I felt fine. (After my shower, I did not apply moisturising body lotion).
Dr John was okay after the ride too and as always, I thank him for his company. Our rides together are never dull, always memorable and I suspect it will not be too long before we do something like this all over again.
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| Dr John |
So dear reader as always, until next time stay safe out there!
