Shoreham 2026: Ride Report

Jim - Ride leader

This is my third time leading this ride and each time I do it I learn something new.

We had 31 riders (including 6 first timers) roll out of Fridays Central at midnight on what promised to be a dry but a little chilly night ride. 

We made our usual way out of town - past all the people spilling out of the bars in Clapham Common, and onto the quieter back streets and through Tooting and Mitcham commons.

After passing the suburbs behind it was onto the warming climbs of the North Downs, I always say there are no long AND steep hills on this ride, so whilst technically true there is also the truth that we have to get over the North Downs so… 

We made good progress once into the countryside and some long descents were good fun, if a little chilly as we dropped into cold pockets of air. We also saw a fantastic red moon rise poking through the clouds. 

We arrived on schedule to the Scouts at Burstow who were as warm and welcoming as always. The donation the club made last year has been put to good use with the addition of some bike stands next to their newly developed fire escape. 

We made our way from the scouts, not via our usual Turners Hill climb (our usual road was closed for maintenance) but via the edge of Crawley and up Cuffs Hill to pick up our usual route through to Handcross.

The sunrise was a little underwhelming at first, but actually came on to give us a golden backlight through the woods behind us. 

It was about this point that I realised we were well ahead of time - no mechanicals or visitations had stalled our progress, so a slower pace was required. 

We had a pitstop at the public loos in Steyning and a quick trip to Lancing college killed a bit more time. 

We arrived at the Hummingbird dead on opening time and were welcomed with an excellent breakfast. 

Thanks to all on the ride, especially Peter acting as all-upper for the first time, Richard as TEC and everybody performing the waymarker duties. 

See you next year!