2010-08-07 10pm Hyde Park Corner - Overnight to Brighton "Triple Crown"

That would be due to the massive tailwind. It wasn't so welcome heading back inland.
I've found that night rides tend to feel like you are often going downhill. Probably because of the relaxed pace meaning you can freewheel/take it easy more, and also because you have less to compare your speed to. If you look at the elevation profile you'll see we did a fair amount of climbing before turning inland towards Devil's Dyke.
The wind was enough to make it harder climbing up to Devil's Dyke, but it could have been worse!

If anyone had asked me at the end which was the longest climb I'd have said Ditchling, no contest. So quite suprised to see Devil's Dyke being the longest climb.

That sounds like a good idea, Oliver. Underhill Lane is a nice road, good to have a flat transition to the next climb!