Five or so I think at Cutty Sark Gardens for the 7:15 off, not counting one
who emerged from the foot tunnel off to the East Croydon pick-up.
By the time we left Forest Hill I think we were ten, another joined in
Sydenham and by the time we hit East Croydon no-one was quite sure how
many – 35? Maybe more. They came from Southwark, Lewisham, Bromley, north of
the river.
It was never going to be a normal led ride with so many and inevitably we
split into informal groups with stops now and again to regroup, watch the
500-plus cars spluttering up hills, grab a bite, have a natter, and down a
pint in Ansty.
One or two peeled off before the South Downs but most made it to Brighton
and despite train works made it back to town by bike or roundabout train.
Usual wonderful atmosphere as we all shared the road and swapped banter,
smiles, waves and encouragement. Some cars needed it – the usual saga of
folks getting out on hills to lighten the load, getting out to push, and the
inevitable explosions of steam and oil.
Thanks to all who enjoyed the day – spectators, various folks by the side of
the road with their car and vehicle collections, to the old crocks and their
cheery occupants, to the mostly very patient modern car drivers, to the
marshals and the police.
Fish and chips were munched on Brighton beach with nicely chilled beer.
Tom Crispin led a separate ride numbering around ten I gather. One of his
riders has posted today, Tuesday that he’s still grinning from ear to ear.
Another memorable day – respect to the original seven who started this four
years ago and to the folks who kept it going last year amidst appalling
weather when I was unavoidably somewhere warmer.
Some pics of the day. Weather totally dry this year again and the sky
somewhat bluer than it appears in many of these pics.
http://img209.yfrog.com/gal.php?g=oldcars002.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=oldcars002.jpg
http://picasaweb.google.com/zigzag510/VeteranCarRun2010
A Keystone Cops style “movie” of one chap’s progress, including his trip
back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIX99QhNKzk
And a log of the cars we saw, whizzed pass, encouraged and commiserated with
on the merry road to the sea:
http://www.lbvcr.com/cars.cfm/CurrentPage/2/sort_type/car_entry_no
Cheers chaps – to next year – first Sunday in November
Paul
Another ten completed the ride with Young Lewisham and Greenwich
Cyclists. Two boys aged 10 and 12 kept the average age below 40! They
led the peloton of puffing and panting mums and dads, making Brighton
by 3pm. The return train fare was a bargain at £6.95 – but the train
crawled from Brighton to Littlehampton before the express sped us to
East Croydon.
Great day, great cars, great company.
Tom