Original HQ organised in good time but then just before Christmas, our booking was cancelled and a new HQ had to be found. Our thanks to Chailey Primary School who stepped into the breach and provided some excellent facilities at short notice. Also, our thanks to Sandra Hill for the refreshments and my better half, Liz, for serving so many teas and coffees afterwards.

But what of our Club riders? 16 out of a total of 42 entries for the 100 kms and 3 riders (1 coming out of retirement!) out of 12 on the 50kms. Bit down on numbers compared to last year but the weather although bright and sunny was cold. Most of the Lewes riders, whatever their start time finished within a few minutes of each other. Mark Winton got a tow round by Peter Barling and they finished in 3hrs 34mins. Most of our riders were in the 5 hour group, but they need not have been, as proved by their finishing within 4 hours!!

Congratulations to all - everyone seemed to have a good mornings' ride.

'An 100 km Riders Point of View' - Graham Jeffs
As usual for the reliability trial the weather had turned colder. Following snow last week there was a heavy frost in Crowborough covering the roads & pavements and almost everything else. The idea of a 100km ride on icy roads wasn't very tempting. Still….. It was Jeremy's first time as organiser so I felt a bit obliged to make the effort. A mile or so down the mountain there was no sign of frost, so no need to worry after all.

Everything was running smoothly at the HQ (Chailey School as the usual hall was being painted). I chose to do the 5 hour ride with quite a few other Wanderers. Having been off the road for a couple of weeks following a virus I wanted a steady ride. We set off promptly at 8.45am and Ian McGuckin and I set the early pace at the front. Good move, as it meant we could keep it comfortable. We turned off the A275 towards Wivelsfield Green and were joined for a few yards by a small bird (a wren I thought although Ian thought it was a bat) that seemed to want to land on Ian's handlebars.

The route was one we have used before and took us through Ditchling, over Clayton hill (bit of an effort that), below the Downs to Bramber and Steyning, then north through Partridge Green towards Lower Beeding, where Peter Baker and family were manning the checkpoint and feed station. Enjoying a nice hot cup of tea and a cake, the 5 hr group (slightly smaller now) was joined by Mark Winton and Peter Barling from the faster group. We set off again and turned towards Staplefield, then right again towards Cuckfield. Climbing Hammer Hill to Slough Green the pace was getting noticeably faster due to the Winton influence and from now on the numbers started to diminish.

Down to Ansty, Goddards Green and Hurstpierpoint then a left and we were heading back towards Ditchling. The group was now down to about a dozen but stayed together until Cooksbridge where we turned at the Rainbow towards Town Littleworth. Here the group split completely on the climb, most of us going backwards. Mark and Peter quickly disappeared with Bob and Spencer Coleman on their wheels.

Spencer dropped back but Bob was riding strongly to stay with them. Ian was ahead of me towards the finish but I couldn't quite catch him until he reached the junction at the 5 Bells where he stopped and….fell off! When I got to the junction he was just getting up, having been unable to unclip.

Back at HQ we checked our finishing time. 3hrs 50mins, so much for a steady ride!

Thanks to Jeremy for organising, Mrs Meades and Sandra Hill for catering, Mick Kilby for timekeeping, Peter and Ann Baker and family for catering at the checkpoint.

'An Editor and 50 km Riders Point of View' - Chris Martin
After years of riding the long version of the various club and ESCA Reliability Trials, the reality of my nearly six month layoff from the bike meant my only realistic option this year was the 50 Km version. I had a great ride and was very pleased that I had got out of bed; when everything (snow on ground outside my window) said don't go.

From the off, I sat on the front with a fit and frisky Hugh Procter (that's cycling fit and frisky). It's always good to catch up with Hugh, as apart from our cycling/Wanderers connection, we are a couple of old rock guitarists. So when we've exhausted pulse rates, training programmes, recovery etc, we can do 70's rock (much more interesting)! Hugh was also navigating. For some reason I always gravitate towards riders who know where we are meant to be going! Seems like a good strategy?

Anyway, after eight miles of leading out a long line of non Wanderer jerseys, Hugh pulled over to tighten his bottle cage. When we rejoined the line after a bit of two-up time trialing, I was just about done for and so waved goodbye to Hugh, who disappeared up the road.

Then, on some hideous climb, that seemed to go on forever I tried to ride on the wheel of Anne Locke. Anne just doesn't offer as much protection from the elements as Hugh! After completing the climb, Anne and I settled into a manageable pace, this allowed us to enjoy a good chat, some great scenery and still get round well within the time limit.

Thanks to Hugh and Anne for their company and to Jeremy for organising the event.