RHide for Stuart: Haywards Heath - Bournemouth

Day 1 (Friday Eve.): HH - Arundel

Despite some late wavering, the HH office cycling team took up the challenge to cycle the 135 miles to Bournemouth for the RHide for Stuart Niven. Why Bournemouth? The original idea being to link up with the Exeter office to cover around half the distance each.  Although those taking part had never cycled this distance before, those planning to do the full amount felt that it just about fell into the category of ‘do-able challenge’.  We also had the fortune of finding a handy pre-prepared route map online which sealed the deal – we felt much more confident knowing the route had been covered before… In the preceding weeks, a few of us had attempted some cycle training, including part of the route in reverse, but we knew that this was a token gesture in comparison to the challenge ahead.  Therefore, it was felt that a couple of days would be required to cover the distance and so a full weekend of cycling, camping, snacking and logistical planning got underway.

Eight people left from the office as a group after work on the Friday for the first 35 miles of the ride, cheered off by most of the office and RH paparazzi. The team consisted of Alex Cargo, Sam Godding, Nick Taylor, Madhu Chandanapali (visiting from the Delhi Office), Sean Rawlings, Ayyappa Gudimetla, Chris Smith & Colin Toovey.  The chosen route headed west from Haywards Heath, sticking to the north of the South Downs before cutting down the Arun Valley to Arundel and our first campsite.  Immediately after leaving the office, we were confronted by a hill (noted: mid-Sussex surprisingly hilly!), leaving the pack already strung out over several hundred metres.  However, everyone stuck together, generally going at the pace of the slowest cyclist, knowing deep down that a slow pace was the key to keeping enough energy in the tank for the whole challenge.  We maintained our pre-planned 10miles/hr pace amazingly well, guided successfully by Sam’s highly-engineered ‘handle-bar-mounted laminated map-flip-holder thingamabob’ through the generally leafy lanes of rural Sussex.  First retirement was Chris (12 miles) due to a double puncture attempting to take his road bike down a gravel track as well as a needy recent first child… Fortunately we had a support van for the whole weekend so he could be ferried back to the nearest station.  However, this extra responsibility only seemed to add to the general confusion for our trusty CAD-technician-turned-van-driver, Ben Nicholls, further jeopardizing his lackluster time-keeping and map reading (younger generation over-reliant on technology…).   

Our progress was pretty steady, although being overtaken uphill by a pensioner on an electric bike shouting ‘Slackers!’ didn’t help the cause!  Due to a late change in the proposed campsite for the Friday night (so we could enjoy the ‘luxury’ of hot-running water and proper sanitation(!)), the final section of the Day 1 route consisted of some off-road cycling along the banks of the River Arun.  At this point, the sun was beginning to set and the cycling pace was slowing dramatically -this wasn’t helped by a giant thorn-induced puncture for Sam and Ayyappa’s electric bike which required at least 3 people to lift over every stile!  (for legal reasons we are in no way admitting to getting lost and cycling on designated footpaths....). We arrived safely at the campsite with just enough daylight to pitch the tents before heading off for a steak and a pint nearby.  Ayyappa, Alex & Nick departed at this point for a weekend non-cycling activities – big respect to Ayyappa and Alex in particular for completing the 35 miles on very little training.

Day 2 (Saturday): Arundel - Romsey

In hindsight, picking a campsite that was practically on a dual carriageway was possibly not the best idea for keeping up morale.  Furthermore picking the pitches closest to said dual carriage way may have been considered as a failure. So with no more than 2 or 3 hours sleep between them, Sam, Colin, Madhu and Sean set out to complete the next 65 miles of the journey.  The morning started well with some exciting unexpected shortcuts along a few bridle ways to avoid the worst of the main roads. Progress went well along the flatter parts of Sussex as we took in the sights and sounds of Goodwood motor circuit.  We arrived at the first stop to find Ben and our support van waiting for us...a first for the trip so far.

The second part of the morning was not quite as comfortable, as our route appeared to cross the downs several times resulting in monstrous repeated hill climbs. Bravely we soldiered on safe in the knowledge we had a long pub lunch stop booked in ahead of us! Having successfully completed the first 40 miles bang on schedule we were looking forward to our lunch only to find Ben, the support van and more importantly our wallets were no where to be found.  Despite having driven past us (twice!) about half an hour previously, Ben managed to get to the pub last! 

Richard Bowman joined us for the afternoon leg of the journey.  Being fresh-legged, he showed his support for the team by disappearing off miles ahead, usually appearing at the top of the next hill far off in the distance.  The only thing that kept the rest of us going was the knowledge that Richard managed to go the wrong way occasionally and was adding a few unnecessary hills to his route!  After crossing into Hampshire skirting south of Winchester we finally arrived at an idyllic campsite north of Romsey - not a dual carriageway for miles and powershowers! Luxury!  Ben made up for all previous misdemeanors by having managed to pick up the ingredients for a(nother) steak dinner and a few well deserved beers in a local pub!

Day 3 (Sunday): Romsey - Bournemouth

The legs were weary, but after a better night’s sleep and the biggest breakfast in camping history, we set off to complete the mere 35 miles required to complete the challenge.  This leg actually turned out to be one of the most enjoyable parts of the journey – partly as we knew we were counting down to the real end of the trip at this point – but mainly as a large part of the route was through the New Forest  (and mostly downhill) .  For long periods, it felt as if the smooth, almost car-free, tarmac roads had been laid especially for us.  We achieved some of our top speeds through this section, no doubt egged on by the sight of a ‘pro’-road-cycling (lots of lycra on show) event sharing part of the route.  Other highlights included stopping off at some quaint villages (such as Burley), seeing the roaming wild horses and taking in the general scenery.  In fact, it was a mixed feeling when we arrived in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Christchurch for a pre-planned stopping point, although we knew we were now on the home straight with less than 5 miles to go.  This final stretch led us through picturesque Christchurch and then along the Bournemouth sea-front cliff-top.  At this point, the heavens opened and we were all thoroughly drenched by the time we arrived at Bournemouth Pier – our designated finishing point - to be welcomed by our hardy supporters.  The bad weather wasn’t in the original plan for the end of the trip (which generally included ice-creams, swimming in the sea and outdoor beers) – but almost everything else had gone so well, this could be forgiven.  Following a few (tourist) photos to document our achievement and a quick change in our support van – we re-fuelled and warmed up with some classic fish & chips overlooking the beach.  We were all impressed with ourselves for completing the full distance – but especially with Madhu for coping with days of endless British rolling hills and outshining us fitness-wise for most of the way having done very little training at all!

Many thanks to everyone who gave up their time to take part in the event, either cycling or contributing in other ways.  Thanks to Ben (and Richard) for driving the life-saving support van and preparing much needed snacks, drinks and dinners.  Thanks to Caroline & Glenda for collecting all the sponsorship money in the office.  Thanks also to Steve Truluck and his team for organizing the overall event.  Thanks to everyone who sponsored us (which helped with motivation).

Sam Godding and Colin Toovey, Haywards Heath Office