Christmas Ride 2008

With Maalie arriving at dawn and John, Mrs John, and Billy-Bob turning up at Al and Tee's straight after work it was an early start for the most anticipated ride of the year. Tea and shop-bought buns would not suffice on such an auspicious occasion and it was out with the (almost as eagerly anticipated) bottles of Santa's Sleigh Stopper which Al had brewed especially for the event. Maalie had baked a veritably array of cakes to accompany the beer including 'sub-prime' Welsh cakes, mince pies and snickerdoodles. As each guest arrived Al issued the wager that he had cooked something for dinner that all assembled would have heard of but yet never have consumed. Cue a variety of ridiculous suggestions ranging from partridge to rook pie!

Jon arrived shortly afterwards and refused to rush his beer and cake as the others fettled equipment enthusiastically. Billy-Bob and Al felt that the festive occasion merited use of the tandem (and also helmet fairy lights) while John had bedecked his bicycle in truly spectacular fashion - with a fully-functional Christmas tree, baubles and fairy lights! Jon had also gone to town on the tinsel and fairy lights in customary fashion, although it was like waiting for Christmas (as usual) for him to make the final adjustments to his running gear.

With Maalie complaining as usual that he wasn't sufficiently 'warmed up', and the tandem boys making an early dismount, we struggled up Cam's Hill. However, there followed an easy coast to the Horse and Jockey where 5 pints of Hardys & Hansen's Rocking Rudolph Ale were ordered. Jon and Maalie soon got stuck in to 'bird talk', while Billy-Bob and Al turned to their usual comparative critique of nappies and puke; John was feeling a little bit out in the cold.

Birders at the Bar

The Horse & Jockey had spared no
expense on this year's Christmas Tree

There was a mile or so of re-traced steps as the boys headed for the Traveler's Rest and another 5 pints of beer at a long table in the comfy bar. The bottles of 'Triple S' (as Al's home brew had affectionately become known), the cold air and exercise were starting to lubricate the conversation by now.. although Maalie and Jon were still sat in the corner discussing their various twitches.

The Drinks Start to Kick in
at the Traveler's Rest

Having once again made hearty toasts to Absent Friends, and wishing the punters and staff a hearty Merry Christmas, the TCA made for the door. We had a relatively long stretch to the next watering hole therefore a full check was made to fairy lights and baubles before the off.

Deck the bikes with bells and baubles
fa-la-la laaa, la-la-la laaaaaaa...

The White Lion was uncharacteristically quiet - in fact the landlord confessed he was in two minds whether to keep the place open. There was a solitary pair of middle-aged women enjoying a quiet drink. Having all ordered various pints of the obligatory Bowman's ale Maalie set about chatting up the ladies in the bar on the pretense of explaining the culinary riddle set by the host. Needless to say the pair left almost immediately!

Finishing their beers the group slogged up the hill from Soberton before enjoying the leisurely and somewhat merry ride to Hambledon. They were soon back at base enjoying more Triple S beer, a turkey curry and, for the finale, a genuine figgy pudding.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
(Left to right: John, Jon, Al, Maalie, Billy-Bob)

(Posted by: Al)

Christmas Ride 2007

Chichester was chosen as the venue for this year's ride - Jon, in his capacity as host, presented riders with generous slices of Yule log with their tea on arrival . There was some debate as to the festive route - Jon had two alternatives in mind and argued that we should tackle a longer, semi-off-road route with one or two stops, while Matt and Al preferred a less challenging, pub-strewn excursion. Eventually a trip up and over the Trundle with a liberal sprinkling of drinking holes was settled as Al, John, Matt, Ad and finally Jerry (resplendent with shiny new full-susser) kitted up in the drive. Spirits were high for this highly-anticipated annual event; Ad in particular was beside himself with excitement!

We set off through the city centre and, with lane selection not a skill usually required by the TCA, soon realised that the drivers of Chichester were not yet ready to extend good tidings of great joy to the riders seemingly weaving randomly through their streets. Back on more familiar territory we eventually headed north out of the city on the cycle path familiar to participants of the Chichester Challenge. Jon led the way, taking his guiding duties seriously on this auspicious occasion, and safely found the Earl of March before too long.

A festive toast at the Earl of March
(left to right: Matt, Al, Jon, Ad, John, Jerry)

Hearty toasts were drunk to the TCA and to absent friends, celebrating another year in the saddle. The pints of London Pride however were soon drunk; time to put back on thermal layers and waterproofs, and head out into the night once more. We were bound for the Trundle, the only really challenging part of the ride we had in mind. The pace was more sedate than usual as the friends caught up with each other's news but soon all were assembled at the top ready for the descent by road to Singleton. Ad and Al led the way on this exhilarating drop - clocking 44.8mph before reaching the Partridge Inn.

While the other riders were sure that the TCA had never visited this establishment before Al realised that this was where he and Billy-Bob had broken their epic south-downs over-night hike (to eat what felt like their own body weight in Sunday dinner) in the pre-blog days. We trooped into the bar to the bemusement of the diners and pitched our spot near the obligatory Christmas tree.

Another toast to absent friends,
Partridge Inn, Singleton

With beers once more consumed we set off by road to Charlton and the Fox Goes Free, a more regular TCA stop. By now, with two pints inside them on an empty stomach and pulses raised by the descent to singleton, Ad and Al were engaged in a jousting match, finally culminating in a race to the pub which in true seasonal fashion was declared a draw. The Fox's garden was resplendent with an enormous Christmas tree beneath which bike were parked (below).

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE TCA
...see you for a ride in 2008

We left the pub dreading the next section of the ride - the long, steep ascent (albeit by road) back up towards the Goodwood racing circuit at the top of the downs. Eventually we reached the top of our climb and realised we had some dissent in the ranks - some favoured a trip back down the trundle - a departure from our planned descent by road to TCA favourite, the Royal Oak - while the majority of the party felt it unwise to tackle this the wrong side of three pints. Jerry (who was only the wrong side of two pints and keen to give his new bike a good thrashing) and Ad (who was still delirious with excitement) threw caution to the wind and headed cross-country for Chalk Pit Lane (indicated by the dotted line on the route map).

The four road-based riders sped towards the Royal Oak and were strangely satisfied to see the lights of the other two in the break-away party on the hill far above them. John, Jon, Matt and Al reached the pub (below) first but were rather put-out by the lack of festive ambiance (not even a Christmas tree!). The beer however was rather good and they soon forgot about this minor detail.

Merry Christmas without the decs. at the Royal Oak

Departing the Royal Oak we were taken by surprise as we rode directly towards a magnificent firework display, which the party assumed was something to do with the nearby Rolls Royce factory. This was the icing on the cake of a magnificent ride and spirits were high for the short trip back to Jon's place, Ad insisting that we really should think about singing a carol or two.

Jon had a real treat in store at home - he had cooked Fricasse of Turkey (and all the trimmings!) served on a bed of noodles for the occasion. He had also laid on winter ale as an accompaniment and mince pies with brandy butter for pudding - terrific!

Have yourself a Merry TCA Christmas with
Jon's Festive Turkey Fricasse

With all the food gone Jerry headed for home as Al cracked open the after-dinner whiskey (laid on by a Founding Father as dictated by ancient custom and practice). Thanks as ever to Jon, who allowed everyone to stay overnight, for his excellent hospitality. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all!

Route Map (click to enlarge):

Elevation Profile:

(Posted By: Al)

Christmas Ride 2006

Adrian and Julie kindly offered to host this years annual 'Xmas Poof's Ride' from their base in Nywood. Freezing fog may have been shutting down the domestic transport system, with all flights from Heathrow and Gatwick cancelled, but there was no keeping the TCA down! It was a bitterly cold (-3C) pea-souper of a night; a thin layer of ice had formed on both Jon and Al's bikes while they were strapped to the cars for the journey's from Arundel and Hambledon respectively. There was much jumping around the farm yard and clapping of hands to keep warm before the off, from Ad's parents' place, while the final adjustments were made... to the tinsel which adorned the helmets, rather than the more usual technical adjusments the group are more accustomed too.

The TCA Xmas ride is traditionally a gentle, sociable road ride taking in a couple more beers than usual. This year we planned to do a circular route taking in three of the best pubs in the area around Elstead and South Harting. Using country lanes we headed north towards Steadham. The ride was a generally unevenful affair at a slower pace than usual; although it was extraordinarily cold speeding up to get warm seemed to be more detrimental than helpful due to increased wind-chill! Also of note was a bizzare display of Christmas lights in a field apparently in the middle of nowhere, somewhere on a country lane near Iping: A large ring of illuminated tents, fairy lights and festive paraphernalia were strewn around the field with no reasonable explanation. It was an eerie sight with no obvious power source miles from the nearest building. Jon was keen to investigate but the others thought it too sinister - it had a definite touch of the Blair Witches about it - and pressed on to the first pub, The Elstead Inn. Al's first attempt to order a round was unsuccessful as his mouth was so numb with cold he could not enunciate the word 'beer'. However, using the language of internationally recognised hand signals, 3 lagers and 3 bitters where obtained and paid for.

The Executive Committee in Session
(Left to right: Jon, Al, Ad)

As if the festive season wasn't enough cause for celebration Ad pointed out that this was a record turnout for the TCA with 6 riders in force - hearty toasts were made, as is by now customary, to our various absent members and for the continued success of the TCA into the New Year. In truth the first pints didn't really touch the sides and, to the disbelief of the local punters, we were off into the freezing fog again heading for the Three Horseshoes a mile down the road. The distance was covered in record time by Matt - like a horse whisperer Al quietly pointed out to him that the sooner we got to the pub, the sooner we would get our next beer - he shot off like a rocket!

After another swift pint, and more hearty toasts in the 'shoes, it was a fairly flat run to South Harting (albeit quite dark as lights were running low), Al teaming up with Matt to guide the way and, using his new coaching techniques (any mention of beer), coaxed the last ounce of speed out of him! The White Hart was our last stop for a pint (and round of toasts) of the evening; having pronounced 2006 one of the best, discussion turned to activities for the New Year. Ad and Ju move to pastures new over the holiday (Devizes) and a commitment was made to try out this potential new site. With the riders in good spirits for the short ride back to Nyewood a rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas ensued (up until 'eight-maids-a-milking' anyway, as no one could remember nine). If the ride wasn't good enough then what awaited our return was exactly what six-cyclists-a-freezing could have wished for: Chicken soup with crusty bread; cottage pie; mince pies and cream laced with brandy, and all washed down with a bottle (yes, a whole bottle) of Jura single malt donated to Al on his last birthday by Billy-Bob [Cheers! Ed.]. Needless to say, queue more hearty toasts.

The TCA festive party
(Left to right: Julie, Jon, Matt, Ad, Al, Jerry)

Thanks to Ad and Ju for organising a fitting end to a brilliant TCA year, thanks to Ad's folks for letting us crash at their's for the night. Thanks also to everyone who's come out for a ride in 2006, we look forward to seeing you again in the New Year, and finally thanks to all the readers of TCA2006 for your encouragement; your comments are always appreciated!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE TCA
...see you on a bike in 2007!

Route Map:

(Posted by: Al)