Rolling News

August 14, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

We’ve got road, gravel or something altogether more technical for your delectation this week.

Talking of technical, Dan Street has a shiny new gravel bike – rumours that he’s only going to ride it in good weather are (probably) unfounded. Ryan Machin gives us the lowdown on his SSX Mystery Tour experience, and Nick Miles has made the pages of The Times.

Read on for all this and more 👇

🌳 Gravel Ride - Saturday 15 August

We have a gravel group heading out on Saturday for a 70 km loop through Partridge Green, along the Downs Link and back over the Downs. If that sounds like your bag, get yourself down to The Forge for the 8:00 roll-out.

  • Roll-out: 8:00 am

  • Duration: Approx. 4 hours, including the coffee stop

  • Start Location: The Forge, Ringmer (and Barcombe Village Store for 8:15)

  • Dress Code: Club kit preferred

☕️ Sunday Social - Sunday 16 August

Ash Preston is setting his sextant and compass for Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill. Pick yourself an early pumpkin before they grow too big.

  • Roll-out: 8:30 am

  • Duration: Approx. 4 hours, including the coffee stop

  • Start Location: Boots, Uckfield

  • Dress Code: Club kit expected

⛰️ Off-Road Ride - Sunday 16 August

Mugs Gohl is leading an off-road ride featuring what she describes as “a little bit of techy stuff”. We all know what that means! Not one for newbies, but no-drop principles apply. Brunch at Mamoosh in Newhaven is the reward.

  • Roll-out: 8:30 am

  • Duration: Approx. 4 hours, including the brunch stop

  • Start Location: Bake Out, Lewes

  • Dress Code: Club kit preferred

🏁 CX Reigate

What? CX season already?!

The racing was as scorchio as the weather at the traditional season curtain-raiser in Reigate last Saturday afternoon.

Dan Street, Paget Cohen and Lorna White wasted no time in swapping their road tyres for knobbly ones and pinning on their numbers.

And mighty well they raced.

Dan finished an impressive sixth overall and fourth in his category, completing seven laps in 49:52 – less than 4½ minutes behind the winner, James Dear of Destination Bike RT. Not bad after a punchy Forge Ride in the morning!

Paget came in 31st overall and 15th in his category, completing six laps in 50:33. Lorna came sixth overall in the women’s race and first – yes, first – in the Masters 40+ class. Go Lorna!

Courtesy @pitchsidephoto

Courtesy @pitchsidephoto

We’ve got Wanderers competing across the county and they’re often in contention for podium positions. Keep an eye on the Racing Round-Ups on the website for all the events and placings.

💝 New Bike Day - Dan Street

Model: Specialized Crux Comp

Groupset: Shimano GRX RX820, 12-speed, 10-45T cassette

Wheels: DT Swiss G540 rims, 24 mm internal width

Tyres: Pathfinder, 700 × 40, tubeless-ready (swapped for 45 mm WTB Vulpines)

Price: £2,499 from Sigma Sports

Dan wanted a gravel bike that would also be at home racing CX — and the Crux has plenty of history there. He also knew he wanted mechanical Shimano gears and a conventional, adjustable cockpit.

He’d had his eye on the Crux Comp for a year or so and was simply waiting for the right deal. When he spotted one at Sigma Sports for less than £2,500, he pounced.

The verdict so far? “It looks good and is a joy to ride! 😂😎”

🤩 SSX Mystery Tour

Do you ever wake up wondering what 150 miles, more than 13,000 ft of climbing and some of Sussex’s toughest bridleways feel like from the saddle? No, nor us.

Ryan Machin, however, is made of different stuff. He signed up for the SSX Mystery Tour and, in a tale of cheese-and-pickle rolls and brutal bostals, completed one very big day out. Read his story and be inspired!

📸 Mum, I’m famous

Nick Miles was quoted in The Times last weekend.

In an article on the benefits and potential pitfalls of running apps, Nick spoke positively about the technology, explaining that he had used apps during his own rehabilitation. He added, however, that his successful outcome came from combining the app with his professional knowledge as a physiotherapist.

Nick runs his physiotherapy business, Body + Earth, from his clinic in Lewes and is currently offering fellow Wanderers a 10% discount.

Go and get that niggle checked out.

Members’ rating of Body + Earth: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

😂 Wanderers’ World

‘Til next time,

The Wandering Crew