Weekend Round Up 22nd 23rd December
Friday 21st December was the shortest day of the year. So would everyone be indoors waiting for the lighter weather; not if you are a Tuff:-
CHRISTMAS NIGHT RIDE
A Christmas night ride and this year the roads were dry attracting a good peleton. Starting from the World’s End pub, the route took riders down to the coast away from the peak traffic before a route across to Yapton, Walberton & Slindon up to Whiteways Lodge. Riders then rode back to the World’s End for some well deserved refreshment.
A very successful ride with only a short interlude for a puncture; thanks to Clive Patterson-Lett for organising this event. The intrepid cyclists were:-
Andy Crawford, Clive Patterson-Lett, Dave Priest, Jason Rae, Jon Roper, Nicole Patterson-Lett, Paul Martin, Phil Baker, Tiff Orton, Tom Gray, and Trevor Harvey
TUFF FITTY LEISUREWEAR
Footnote: There has recently been an issue in ordering Tuff leisurewear, principally Hoodies, Track Pants and a Tuff reflective cycle jacket. This is being rectified and the on-line link should be active again soon (when open members will be advised.) This is mentioned here as Trev’s Tuff Fitty reflective cycle top did seem to dominate the photoshoot (courtesy of Jon) as it reflected back the light from the flash illustrating its effectiveness in darkness.
PORTSMOUTH COASTAL WATERSIDE MARATHON
Starting from South Parade Pier in Southsea the coastal route to the end of the Hayling Billy Line (and then back) is a well trodden path for many club members. Jason Rae takes up the story:-
“Being into recycling it was good to help Tony Pearce out and purchase his marathon place from him after a bout of man flu struck him late in the week.
I’ve run this event 5 times now at both marathon and 50k distances, its not the most scenic of routes but the organisation and value for money and late season challenge make this a good race that justifies few extra calories over the festive period.
The rain was falling hard as I woke up so I prepared to get wet for 4 hours. It was mild and I knew the route would be muddy in places.
Arriving at the pyramids we paid the parking fee and collected our numbers just as the rain stopped. We met Glenn Parisi in the hall and had the obligatory photo before heading to the start. We got going and into a steady pace chatting to friends on the first half. The route was fairly muddy but ok in road shoes. I was soon at the halfway point and heading home. I was a few mins in front of Glenn but my pace was slowing. I kept going but the return was into the wind so felt a bit harder on tired legs. The last mile and a half along the Southsea prom was really tough but Glenn had caught up by now and we encouraged each other right up to the finish line. Another Marathon where I had a beer in my hand less than a minute after finishing so highly recommended.”
Jason
TUFF WITH ADDED TOUGH CHALLENGE
It has been a great initiative from Captain Joe Pascoe to set a Strava Challenge to get Tuffs active over the winter period. In addition a Just giving account has been opened with participants encouraged to make a minimum donation of £5 which goes to Chestnut Tree House.
Joe set 10 Strava segments, with participants times added together to see who is the Tuff King and Queen of the mountain.
All segments must be completed by 31st January deadline. Participants can complete a segment as many times as they want, the fastest will count.
For the times to count you need to be a member of the Tuff Fitty Strava Group, but you are welcome just to join in the segments for training.
If you have completed any of the segments already, these will count (but you might want to have another go to smash it as hard as you can).
You can pay to enter anytime, but you must donate by January 31st 2019 if you want to be in the running for QOM or KOM.
Good Luck becoming a Tuff With Added Tough, which has for ease shortened to TWAT.
The segments comprise five cycles and five runs as follows:-
Cycling
Mill Hill (Brighton Mitre Hill Climb), Shoreham
Steyning Bostal (Brighton Mitre Hill Climb), Steyning
Houghton Hill, Arundel
Arundel Hill Climb Roundabout to Roundabout, Arundel
Bury Hill Climb, Pulborough
Running
SDW – Mill Hill Complete, eastwards, Upper Beeding
River Gate – To The Top – SDW Gate, Bramber
Arundel Park Climb Gate to Corner, Arundel
Cardiac Hill Climb, Arundel
A259 to Highdown Gardens Hill Sprint, Highdown
Sunday saw Joe set a challenge to tackle two of the hilly run options. Mill Hill and River Gate. Just Joe, Trev & Clive took up the challenge. Recent rain meant the going was quite slippery and muddy but a enjoyable run returning to Bramber car park where a mobile cafe proved enticing to celebrate a very hilly 11.5 mile run covering 1,220 feet ascent.
There is still time time to participate and tick off some segments or even just make a donation to a great cause. Why not encourage people out on their bike over the Holidays to smash out a couple of segments.
Go on; be a TWAT like Trev, Joe & Clive
Details and where to donate click here
PARK RUN
At Worthing Park Run, club members present were :- James Oram in 20:09 followed by great running from Paul Martin achieving a new PB in 20:29. Next home was Roy Barraclough, Chris Sloggett, Amanda de Ridder, Daisy Bashford, Ed Lay & Elaine Rousseau – some good times amongst the 516 runners, the second biggest turnout of the year at Worthing.
At Bognor Park Run, Jason Rae was on the organising team before stepping behind the tape and then completing the run. Friday bike, Saturday run and Sunday Marathon, the man’s a machine.
