Bobbie reported on the pain that had recently been endured, and the prospect of more to come...

While some of us took one look at the ice on Sunday 31st January, and went back to bed with tea and custard creams, other of our brave lads, namely Colin and Billy, were tackling the Hell of Ashdown Forest Sportive. Billy's report follows:

Colin Robinson and I survived the Ashdown sportive, which could be described as the day hell froze over! Sheets of ice 5-10 metres long covered many of the lanes we rode, making it dangerous and slow at times. We also missed a turning and put on an extra 5 or so miles, along with lengthy route sheet consultations! The infamous Wall was horrible, a leg-breaking and tortuous climb through the Ashdown forest rewarding us with great views at the top. The second half was unrelentingly lumpy, and the last climb up Star Hill was more than I could really cope with. Colin flew up it like Pantani as I tried to keep up! We finished together, and our split time from the first check (after our detour!) to the finish would have put us in the fastest 70 or so riders. Not too bad out of over 500 who finished on the day. My third Hell and definitely getting slightly more bearable by the year. Big thanks to Colin for inspiring me up those big climbs!

Well done both of you! The grapevine tells me that we will have riders and maybe even a new member or two in the Welsh Dragon Ride later this year. This is gradually becoming one of the UK's premier events and its great we've got people in it. Too late to enter I'm afraid, the extra 300 places released in mid January were apparently filled in under 8 minutes! You can only imagine the size of the full field.

Locally, the Kentish Killer, NW Kent and E Sussex, by GS Avanti looks a nice run at 75k and 100k.

Local Audax commences with the Man of Kent 200k on 28th March and Graeme is already enthusiastically planning his season, spurred on, no doubt, by both our names being included in the 2010 AUK Handbook for our efforts last year. The opening local Grimpeur is on March 14th out of Otford, the Invicta Hilly 100k and 50k. For the uninitiated why not try it, you might like it?

Long term prospects to watch are the Downland Sportive in April, a very popular event, and the San Fairy Ann Air Ambulance Sportive usually in May.

Pilgrims Hospice Cycles Challenges.
For those of you preferring less of a challenge these events will take place on Sunday 9th May:- The Tri-Hospice Cycle Challenge, a 70 mile route starting at either Canterbury, Ashford or Thanet hospice taking in all three sites. Entry fee: £25.00 per person plus any sponsorship you wish to raise.

Or a less adventurous more family orientated ride, the Pilgrims Cycle Challenge where each hospice town will host a cycle ride of around 15 miles. Entry fee: Adult £10.00; Child £5.00 plus sponsorship. Full details at www.pilgrimscyclechallenge.org or call 01227 782062.
Please consider helping out this very worthy cause.

VTTA Reliability.
Six club members took part in this on Sunday 7th, Bobbie Fairhall, Doug Bromham, Dave Mastin, Colin Inett, Bill and Jonah Hawkes giving an age span of some 63 years, probably the largest ever in any Vets event Unfortunately Bobbie had to withdraw when another rider (not a club member) ran into her, resulting in a broken spoke and buckled wheel. This illustrates the importance of holding your line when riding in a bunch. Well done to Jonah for completing the distance with his Dad.