After the success of last year’s trip, despite the lashings of rain throughout the day, the return to Gaveston Hall brought new challenges to both sighted and visually impaired participants.
An Early Start
This year’s trip to Gaveston Hall brought together cycling and walking groups in the sweltering summer heat. With an earlier start than planned to miss the worst of the hotter parts of the day. Members filtered into the Old Ruts Rugby Club where the busy atmosphere of people adjusting tandems for the two-day epic ride filled the air with friendly chatter and the chitter of bicycle chains.
Setting Off on Route
The four groups of cyclists were set to take on various routes throughout the surrey hills, joining up with the walking group further along the trail. Tandems weaved their way through the country roads, covered in the dappled shade of trees and across open fields of swaying wheat. The groups would converge from time to time at lesser visited refreshment spots along the way. Filling bottles with water and the addition of an abundance of fizzing hydration tablets, an exotic array of brightly tinted drinks were prepped, while menus were read. There was much deliberation over how much to order, so as to strike the perfect balance between adequate fuel and nothing too heavy to carry up the next steep climb.
With each of the 4 tandem groups covering around 40 miles, the drag up the final hill began. Soon conquered, the white-backed sign of Gaveston Hall led the way for a final, enthusiastic burst of energy where the magnificent Victorian building was glimpsed between trees.
You Have Arrived at Your Destination
This year, lucky enough to have two supporting cars, the walking and tandem groups were welcomed on arrival with tea and biscuits. Congratulations and conversations broke out as the groups arrived one after the other. With rooms assigned and bags collected, some much needed, refreshing showers were had, while the walking group cooled off in the indoor pool.
With plenty of time before the evening BBQ, some members broke off for a walk around the grounds. Ponds full of lily pads glistened amongst towering pine trees and well-weathered stone architecture, which would provide the picturesque backdrop to the evening’s games. Of course, not being able to escape the dreaded mechanicals that plague even the most prepared of rides, a few members tinkered with bicycles ready for the next day. The smell of BBQ drew them back where they were rewarded with some fantastic catering. After the evening’s meal and fire pit ignited, thanks were announced, then a comedic quiz led into the revelation of a well-kept secret (perhaps not well enough – the birthday of one of the pilots) which provided an excuse for cake. The evening concluded with a round of pass the parcel, with a difference, where each layer revealed either a prize or a potential forfeit.
Day Two a Cooler Morning
A warm night broke into a cooler morning where the MSSC members, glad to escape from their rooms, appreciated the morning breeze as they met in the main house for a light breakfast. Teas, coffees, cereal bars, juice and fruit fuelled conversations of yesterday’s events. Wanting to take advantage of the more manageable temperatures the tandems were promptly brought from the barn under the curious watch of a herd of deer.
The Journey Back
As the sun continued to rise over the West Sussex countryside, the groups stretched their legs along the way to the Tolkien event of second breakfast. The now well-fed cyclists’ routes criss-crossed the hills, which seemed to have been erected overnight, amongst tractors and vintage cars. The sun, now at full force once again, made water stops a necessity for the tandems, all in search of Denbies Wine Estate and the second refreshment stop of the day. Groups of solo cyclists would discuss the intrigue in the rarer sight of so many tandems, asking where we’d all appeared from.
The fields that stretched for miles gave way to A roads on the way to Denbies. Neatly manicured grape vines flanked the approach to the busy venue. In the greenhouse-like structure lunches were ordered and devoured with pints of iced water.
Leaving the estate, a few of the tandem groups crossed paths with one another as they set off for their final destination, back to old ruts. The gears seemed to grind just that little bit slower for the following miles, but soon enough the cyclists would be rejuvenated as the routes became more familiar. Pilots and stokers began to count down the final ascents, with the descents now that little bit sweeter. All groups made it back safely to Old Ruts where the high spirited participants conveyed their gratitude to their ride leaders.
A Weekend to Remember
With scenic routes, supportive teamwork, memorable meals and plenty of shared laughter, this year’s MSSC trip to Gaveston Hall offered a perfect blend of adventure and community. From Blazing sun to birthday surprises, it was a weekend full of moments to celebrate, on two wheels and two feet alike.
James Jacques (June 2025)
