Easter Tour 2024 to Eastbourne

The C&M Easter Tour is a fixture which marks the changing seasons, eagerly anticipated by those who attend.  The basic format is a weekend of cycle rides, based somewhere away from our regular riding territory, with options for both off- and on-road riding, and for those not riding.  Adventures were had by all.

Eastbourne

The 2024 venue was eventually set as the York House Hotel, Eastbourne,  after we were let down by an alternative location.  It proved popular, with 49 people in the hotel or staying nearby.  About half rode down to Eastbourne for Friday night.  Surprise - there were no trains to Eastbourne over Easter,  so several got trains to nearby,  or not so nearby, and rode the final miles.

Pete B, legendary ride leader, had planned the weekend's rides for the on-road contingent. For Saturday, he had organised a flat ride around the levels to the east.  Flat is of course a relative term.   We set off along the coast towards Pevensey, and then north across the levels, which I think we all agreed were flat, and lovely.

Leaving the hotel

After this, opinions were mixed about the flatness of the lanes to Herstmonceux Castle and Observatory.  At Herstmonceux village there was a minor mutiny when some wanted to stop for coffee.  Nothing that Pete couldn't handle.  After a bit of a car park viewing opportunity for the non coffee stoppers, we split into two groups.  One sped along the 11 miles to lunch, and the other group did our best to catch them up.  We pedalled through gorgeous quiet lanes, lined with spring flowers: celandine, primrose, cuckoo flower, wood anenome and hawthorn blossom; serenaded by birdsong, not motor vehicles.  But I think it's fair to say that by now serious doubts about the flatness or otherwise of the ride were emerging.  Some of the slightly less flat parts required bottom gear or even some walking.

The lunch spot at Horam was ideal.  Good food was served quickly, and we sat in the warm sunshine to enjoy it.  After lunch some took the direct route along the Cuckoo Trail, an old railway line, to Eastbourne, while the majority followed Pete along more quiet lanes, even flatter than the morning's flat ride, and back through the levels, to a surprise tea stop at a farm shop.  Then it was back along the coast and the promenade to Eastbourne for showers, refreshments, dinner and much chat.  A great day out.

 

The Short-Cutters on the promenade

Returning across the levels

 

Tea

Sunday's ride was exceptional, even for Pete.  We were forewarned that there might be no lunch, due to Easter Sunday, and tourists taking our rightful place in the pubs.  We set off like lemmings in a stiff breeze towards Beachy Head, and then onwards with a beautiful descent to Birling Gap, where most of us admired the view if the Six Sisters (the seventh was Beachy Head, now behind us).  After a bit of very busy main road, we set off north towards our lunch destination at Alfriston.  But we discovered a cycle cafe at the Long Man Brewery, so indulged in a late elevenses stop instead.

Two Petes and six sisters

Elevenses at the Long Man Brewery

 

Lunch in Chalvington

Plans had to be rearranged.  A new route, more beautiful lanes, to a pub in Chalvington, at least on the map.  But it had closed long ago,  so lunch was taken in the sunny churchyard instead.   Then things got exciting.   The obvious route back was along NCN 2 towards Polegate.  There was a short stretch of bridleway,  but how bad could it be?   Very bad, unfortunately.   It started badly with soft mud right across the track,  and got worse.  At the first real quagmire, some of the lemmings revolted and decided to take the longer way round, but a majority had already forded the mud bath and so were committed.  It was the longest short stretch of off-road ever, with the stickiest and deepest mud, and no way round it.  Shoes were nearly lost.  Keith even tried to build a bridge from logs - or was it a raft?

 

And so another legendary ride was created.  Arriving back at the hotel, filthy shoes and bicycles had to be handled carefully.  Steph went for a paddle in the sea to wash the sticky mud off her shoes.  Another rider found it necessary to use a combination of bathroom shower and toilet brush to clean his shoes.

But at dinner, everyone was buzzing about a beautiful and adventurous ride, so perhaps it was a good example of Type Two Fun - where the enjoyment comes after the activity instead of during it.

The off-road group disappeared each day into the hills, emerging once or twice to speed past us on the road, and returning with plenty of smiles and mud each evening.

Some of the off-roaders at a chance meeting in Horley

The whole event was masterminded by Steve Gordon and Ann Bath, who are stepping down after organising Easter Tours for fifteen years.  During that time thousands of miles have been ridden, many pints and cakes consumed, memories made, and lasting friendships have been built.   They are hopeful that someone will come forward to take it over for the future, and so are we.   Huge thanks to Ann and Steve from all of us on this year's trip and those dating back to 2009, for all they have done.

Ann and Steve

Many thanks also to Pete for leading the rides, and to Pete, Steph, Helen, Keith, Jen, Tony and probably others who took and shared some of these photos.