South Downs Ataxia Spring Classic bike ride

April 29th 2012 will be remembered for a long time as the wettest day of the wettest April in living memory. Non-stop rain made for atrocious road conditions, caused rivers to burst their banks, and caused wide-spread flash floods. Many events were cancelled, and sensible people stayed indoors.

Those who rode Ataxia South Downs first Spring Classic bike ride will remember it too. We’ll remember the incessant rain driven in on 30 mph winds, unending hills turned into rivers, riding knee deep through the floods, punctures and more punctures. We’ll also remember the exhilaration and sense of achievement at the finish. Even the most experienced cyclists said they were absolutely the worst conditions they’d ever ridden in.

We set out a few months ago to plan 2 rides – a shorter 20 mile ride for less experienced cyclists, which would also work for handtrike riders, between the Downs and the sea; and a 56 mile tougher route over the South Downs. We had a raft of volunteers – marshals, starters, emergency backup, catering and manning checkpoints – all drawn from Ataxia South Downs members.

On the day 12 riders tackled the 20 mile route, including 2 trikes. In the near wind and rain lashed conditions it took nearly 5 hours to complete the ride – including the almost compulsory puncture! 18 riders took on the longer challenge, which with a fabulous ‘cake stop’, took some of us nearly 5½ hours. We all rode more than 60 miles because of blocked roads, diversions and missed turnings, caused by washed away signs.

Our fantastic helpers cheered every rider ‘home’, and made sure we had plenty to eat.

So far we have raised more than £16,000 which is an absolutely amazing amount for our first year.

Will we do it again? – of course we will, and the weather can’t be worse, can it?