Grimpeurs du Sud

[Hillbilly]

The Sussexy Beast 160, Down to Downs 100 and Surrey Hills 50 (latter not GdS) will live on under the care of two new organisers.  Should appear in the listings when we tick over into the new season.  Jon Walters and Werner Wiethege are the men with the Right Stuff.

These are good rides, which I am glad to have created, and on which one can build AAA RRTY and the like.  Down to Downs in particular is a good winter route (with the usual caveats).  And the Surrey Hills is a nice way to dip your toe in the water of hilly rides.  The Sussexy Beast allows you to step up to longer distances (it is, as the title suggests, a bit of a beasting in the Sussex area).

If anyone has a card for any of the above events, not yet ridden but with an intention to do so "at some point", then please let me know so I can describe how to take this forward.

[Martin]

The calendar version of Billy's Meridian Hills is now open for business.

A cracking ride to fill the void left by Around Weald Expedition, no less climbing but a lot more benign, Ditchling Beacon and Ide Hill probably the hardest hills, Toys is done in reverse. Hot Dogs at 107km and 'spoons at the finish, what's not to like? 

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-381/#more

[Martin]

who's up for The Whitchurch Winter Wind -down next weekend? an excellent route with some fab Downland views and well surfaced roads (quiet too; one reason I started my Audaxing in those parts)

[Plodder]

A reasonable number. So far you have over 70 riding companions. 

[Mad Jack]

Just a quick reminder, I think these events are next on the GDS series 

Thanks for your entries so far, keep em coming 

Hills and Mills- http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-77/

Mad Jacks JSM http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-85/

[mmmmartin]

I might be helping because it's easier than riding. There might, or might not, be brandy available at a checkpoint.

[fixillated]

I might be helping because it's easier than riding.

Even if you have to lift a lot of bikes over a fence? 

[Martin]

The madness continues 

The Festive Five GdS; 5 different GdS perms ridden this month; including one of each of the below

Reliable
AAA Milne
Down to Downs
Sussexy Beast
Around Weald Expedition or Meridian Hills 200

one DIY may be substituted but you must ride at least one 200

there will be an award.... (goes to £1 shop)

[Mad Jack]

I might be helping because it's easier than riding.

Even if you have to lift a lot of bikes over a fence? 

Good for core strength, wot's that!!! 

Anyone see Time teams 1066 dig. Harold met his maker on Mad Jacks route at the now mini rab (check route sheet 99.38km in Battle)
beat that..     http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team-digs/4od#3231967

[Martin]

just about to post my entries for HM / MJJSM;

no idea how I'm getting there...

[Mad Jack]

just about to post my entries for HM / MJJSM;

no idea how I'm getting there...

Thanks & ride over or Iron horse delivers you to & fro Polegate 

[Martin]

just about to post my entries for HM / MJJSM;

no idea how I'm getting there...

Thanks & ride over or Iron horse delivers you to & fro Polegate 

don't think I can get the Bluebell to relay the line to Lewes in time 

looks like another 2 ECE's 

[Mad Jack]

just about to post my entries for HM / MJJSM;

no idea how I'm getting there...

Thanks & ride over or Iron horse delivers you to & fro Polegate 

don't think I can get the Bluebell to relay the line to Lewes in time 

looks like another 2 ECE's 

If Beeching hadn't killed the Cuckoo line (1960?) you would have been delivered within 500yrds of the start.
Oh for those that are interested, Hills and Mills runs under the Redgate Mill Junction where it connected to the Uckfield line  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uo_aifl0gQo&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/uo_aifl0gQo&rel=1</a> 

[Martin]

If Beeching hadn't killed the Cuckoo line (1960?) you would have been delivered within 500yrds of the start.

(non trainspotters switch off now)

only by changing at Hurst Green and Eridge 

and all in time for an 0900 start? been looking at old timetables; the bus that now runs (very round the houses) along what is now partly the Bluebell to Haywards Heath only takes about 10 mins longer than the train did;

no use for bikes though...

[mmmmartin]

Hills and Mills runs under the Redgate Mill Junction where it connected to the Uckfield line

And some years, Mad Jack's crosses a railway line... As in walking over the tracks and lifting your bike up the embankment. Bridges are for wimps IMHO

Will there be FREE BRANDY for riders AGAIN on any of your rides this year, Sir? (Just askin')

[Mad Jack]

If Beeching hadn't killed the Cuckoo line (1960?) you would have been delivered within 500yrds of the start.

(non trainspotters switch off now)

only by changing at Hurst Green and Eridge 

and all in time for an 0900 start? been looking at old timetables; the bus that now runs (very round the houses) along what is now partly the Bluebell to Haywards Heath only takes about 10 mins longer than the train did;

no use for bikes though...

Still Trainspotting...

A local rider used to out run the up train (cuckoo line) and beat it to the level crossing on Earsham rd. Much to the annoyance of the driver who knew him and used to bash the engine with his shovel shouting come on Ted you W*&^%R!!!   

[Mad Jack]

Hills and Mills runs under the Redgate Mill Junction where it connected to the Uckfield line

And some years, Mad Jack's crosses a railway line... As in walking over the tracks and lifting your bike up the embankment. Bridges are for wimps IMHO

Will there be FREE BRANDY for riders AGAIN on any of your rides this year, Sir? (Just askin')

Bldy Bridge was out much like the Hard Boiled 2000 years ago but at 3am!!
Brandy, that got em, one said naa that's tea, ha, after swigging a load of the 20yr old vintage beverage it nearly blew his head off. I then noticed the CCTV and sign saying no DRINKING or BIKES aloud in the car park, whoops! 

[mmmmartin]

much like the Hard Boiled 2000 years ago

Blimey, you have audaxing a long time

[Paul Palmer]

much like the Hard Boiled 2000 years ago

Blimey, you have audaxing a long time

I remember that ride 2000 years ago, we had a hell of a job hauling our ass's out of that river bed, but are you sure it was the Hard Boiled ??

[Mad Jack]

much like the Hard Boiled 2000 years ago

Blimey, you have audaxing a long time

I remember that ride 2000 years ago, we had a hell of a job hauling our ass's out of that river bed, but are you sure it was the Hard Boiled ??

Ahh, now come to think of it, it may have been porkers, was it a dried up canal? Whitebelly was there too.. 

[Paul Palmer]

much like the Hard Boiled 2000 years ago

Blimey, you have audaxing a long time

I remember that ride 2000 years ago, we had a hell of a job hauling our ass's out of that river bed, but are you sure it was the Hard Boiled ??

Ahh, now come to think of it, it may have been porkers, was it a dried up canal? Whitebelly was there too.. 

It was a dried up canal, as for the ride or year I'm not sure about, my last Porkers was 1999. Some riders chose to take the diversion which I seem to remember added a lot of miles. Us rugged types followed the route sheet without deviating.

[Mad Jack]

Just a quick reminder, I think these events are next on the GDS series 

Thanks for your entries so far, keep em coming 

Hills and Mills- http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-77/

Mad Jacks JSM http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-85/

Don't forget  AAA'ers these events ^^^ are ON SALE NOW 

[Martin]

and so the 2013 GdS season comes to a close; this humble award which was originally intended as a bit of a marketing ploy for end of season events has gone from strength to strength,

notable milestones this year are,

Billy and Ann storming the overall and oppo sex trophies and records using mostly SE based rides

The wide range of perms from 50-200 which are now a regular feature for AAA junkies in the region

Several new events; just showing that despite our relative low altitude we Southerners just love a challenge

see you all for Hills and Mills or one of the other early season events 

[Martin]

Following a test ride yesterday I've updated the AAA Milne route to remove all retracing (apart from the railway tunnel bit), the route now carries on from Barcombe through some peaceful lanes with views of the Downs to Newick then onwards to Horsted Keynes, and offers an alternative food stop in Newick if the Barcombe one is shut. You climb the same ridges 

[Martin]

Some photos from recent events added here;

https://sites.google.com/site/grimpeursdusud/