Rolling News

May 22, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Forge ride takes a well-earned breather this Saturday after last week’s heroics, the Sunday Social heads to Ashburnham, the Chain Gang offers a leg-loosener, and Wednesday….drum roll please… brings our second TT of the season.

A glorious weekend is forecast, too 🌞, so frankly, there can’t be many better ways to spend your time than out on the bike.

☕️ Sunday Social - Sunday 24 May

Ash is leading this week’s Sunday Social to The Orangery Café at Ashburnham Place. Expect a steady no-drop ride and fine, hilly scenery.

Roll out: 8:30 am
Duration: Approx. 4 hours, including the coffee stop.
Start Location: Boots, Uckfield (Forge Ringmer 9:00)
Dress Code: Club kit expected

⛓️ Chain Gang - Tuesday 26 May

Save yourself for the Circuit of Laughton, but if you want to warm up the legs, this could be the pre-race session for you. Treat it as a final tune-up rather than the usual demolition derby.

Roll out: 5:45 pm (for 6:00 pm start)
Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours
Start Location: The Forge, Ringmer
Dress Code: Club kit preferred

🚴 Circuit of Laughton TT - Wednesday 27 May

Our second “circuit” TT of the season takes us to Laughton, with the first rider off at 7:00 pm. It’s a great course and a great club evening, so please put it in the diary.

First rider off: 7:00 pm
HQ: The Roebuck Inn, Laughton
Dress Code: Club kit preferred

⏰ Reminder: The Anniversary Shop shuts at 5:00 pm on Monday, 25 May.

🏁 Circuit of Laughton

Good news: we now have a full complement of volunteers. Even better news: that means we’re ready to fill the start sheet.

The Circuit of Laughton TT takes place on Wednesday 27 May, with the first rider off at 7:00 pm.

We run these events to give everyone a chance to have a go at time-trialling. You don’t need a special bike or a pointy helmet. A normal road bike and standard kit are absolutely fine.

Your time and finishing position only need to matter to you. Think less Giro d’Italia, more School Sports Day with better bikes and fewer beanbags.

We’re especially keen to encourage first-timers, women riders and younger riders to take part. If there’s anything we can do to encourage you to give it a go, tell us!

🩷 Giro at the Black Horse

Our friends at the Black Horse, Lewes, will be continuing the screenings as the Giro reaches its final stages,

Saturday, May 23 Stage 14 - 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm
Friday, May 29 Stage 19 - Queens stage 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm
Saturday, May 30 Stage 20 - 2 pm - 4 pm

Whether you’re there for the tactics or the beer, head to the back bar as usual.

🎥 Can you help with our social media?

Instagram is an increasingly important way of getting our club seen and noticed by potential new members. Other clubs are upping their game, and we could do with some help to stay on their wheel.

Account admin

If you use Instagram regularly, understand what makes a decent post, reel or story, and fancy helping the club look a bit sharper online, we’d love to hear from you.

You don’t need to become the club’s full-time social media department. A little regular help with posting, ideas and keeping the account active would make a big difference.

Content

We also need more raw material.

If you’re out on a club ride, please take the odd short video or photo when it’s safe to do so and send it in. Club kit in shot is especially helpful, but don’t overthink it.

Can you help? Send us your clips, or get in touch if you’d like to help with the account.

🏁 Racing Results

Wanderers have been busy across road, time trial, gravel and mountain bike racing, with Ryan Machin finding rare local road racing action in the Surrey League Vets Series before heading to Norfolk for Round 2 of the British Gravel Trophy Series. Despite a dropped bottle in Sussex and a misbehaving saddle in Thetford Forest, he still came away with solid finishes in both.

On the A22, Richard Burchett delivered a superb 23:31 to take second in the road bike category at the VTTA 10, with Peter Baker continuing his post-op recovery with an encouraging 26:05.

Georgina Wise doubled up too, racing the British Gravel Trophy before taking an excellent 4th place in her category at the Pedal Hounds Enduro MTB Series.

Read the full round-up on the website for all the results and details.

👏 The Long Ride

Wow, they did it.

A group of Wanderers completed a 250 km (156 mile) lap of the Weald last Saturday.

Ride leader Ryan Machin set a solid pace on the front, and the group kept things moving with only three short stops, getting round in roughly nine hours of riding time.

While “Neil is off the back again” became an earworm for most of the group, the general consensus was that the distance was surprisingly achievable once you got into it.

Which is dangerous, obviously, because there’s already talk of making it an annual event 🫣.

Start preparing your excuses!