CYCLING
Challenging! The word to describe the recent feat of Deepings Cyclists who rode to Brighton for a variety of charities. Leaving the Spin Room Studio early on 24th July, the cyclists faced torrential rain and horrific conditions for the first 110 miles of their journey. Making it safe and sound to the Premier Inn Hotel at Tower Bridge, they had a much welcome organised lunch which helped them warm up but they still had to get back on their bikes and carry on through London in the relentless rain. Bad though they were, the conditions made this days ride very memorable. The whole team were back within ten hours for a hot shower and a meal of which every mouthful was savoured! The final days riding started at 8am. The sun was shining as all 54 riders set off through the busy streets of London and headed towards Brighton. The ride was only 64 miles but these took just as long as the 110 the day before as they were a little hilly!! Hills and sunshine create very different exhausting ride conditions and they found it tough riding on a very undulating course to the lunch stop only 9 miles from Brighton Pier. Lunch was amazing; fresh bread, cheeses, soup, fajitas, salad, pate, flap jacks and cake.. brilliant.. After lunch there was a short 4 mile ride to the final climb before the 6 miles downhill ride into Brighton!! The final climb was none other than Ditchling Beacon! A 1.5 mile hill climb with an average gradient of 8%... Some parts as steep as 12%.... Very tough but very enjoyable.. And what a sense of achievement when the top was finally reached! There was blood, sweat and tears... Emotional... Down into Brighton through bustling streets avoiding the traffic.. The journey was nearly over.. down the final slope and there was the pier!!! Omg they had done it and the families were there cheering and clapping, screaming and shouting as the riders approached the final few metres...What a few days it had been... More tears... And then more tears... Says organiser Claire Cross, “I can honestly say that everyone involved in this trip was amazing and through the wind, rain, hills and all those miles I feel very privileged to have seen every one reach their goals and be part of the active4ever dream.�
Deeping to Brighton by bike!
Interested? There is a one day event on September13th of 60 and 90 miles, fully route marked with excellent signage and fully stocked water stations. Book online at www.britishcycling. co.uk August 2016 London to Paris trip contact 07850 304120 16
