Velopace Spring Classic

The Spring Classic was using the Observatory at Herstmanceux as their base for the day and it was a cosy venue with parking, registration and start all contained within easy walking distances. Very important for all those last minute forgotten items or changes of clothing – even more important when staggering back after your ride!

The giant Quatermass containers tower over the registration tent. What are they brewing in there?

The car park seemed pretty busy, but according to the organisers no-shows were running pretty high, almost half the field having decided to stay on the warm side of their duvets. Hardly surprising with some weather reports putting possible wind speeds at 50mph!

Registration was swiftly completed and the search for ride buddies began. Being a local event a lot of the hardier souls had ridden to the start, but as I’d bonked on the ride home after completing the recce, I wimped out and drove to the start.

Event partners Yellow Jersey were at the start offering out flapjacks, waterproof phone cases, musettes and their own version of the Ass Saver. The latter would prove most useful for those not running ‘gaurds.

Sponsors Yellow Jersey were providing some much needed cover in the form of these mini rear mudguards

Bike choice for today was similar to the previous ride, with the exception of adding a double chain-ring to my Handsling CXC ‘cross bike. With all the twists and turns, there aren’t too many places where you can engage the big ring and hammer on the ride, so a compact is perfect. As an added comfort I have a Canyon VCLS seat-post fitted, to help smooth out the battering I was about to receive!

The Handsling CXC was the perfect bike for the Spring Classic.

Clement were supplying the rubber in the form of their Strada LGG tyres. These 28mm tyres have changed my opinions towards fatter rubber, the preserve of tourist and commuters I had always thought. These particular tyres have seen me through road races and sportives, turning in some fast times and only one puncture.

Our little gang of six set off into a light drizzle, but the threatened gales failed to materialise. Oh there was some wind, but nothing out of the ordinary for this part of Sussex. Being close to the Channel there’s always a wind and with the prevailing direction being from the west, that meant a tailwind to start.

With most of the route taking place on sunken lanes with high hedges, the wind was not really a problem for most of the ride. These small lanes mean your view is often limited, but every now and again you catch sight of the landscape you are travelling through, but it’s only a brief glimpse, before your are plunging down another lane or climbing one more steep ramp.

 
Continued overleaf…
 
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