The Churchillian

I was last to arrive at Three Bridges Station for this ride and was met by an octet of experienced riders (and friends). Anton was today’s leader and had been joined by John C, John H, John V, Frank, Pat, Pete, Marian and myself, Bob.

As usual, John H wasn’t on an ordinary bike. However, instead of his recumbent he’d turned up on a 6-speed Brompton in anticipation of there being some climbing to be done (his recumbent is very hard work on the climbs). Pete and Marian were astride their nice red Thorn tandem, John C was using one of his old bikes – I think it’s the old, old bike. Frank was giving his lightweight steel Orbit another outing.

We used the familiar easterly exit from Crawley – Worth Drive, Turners Hill Road and Old Hollow – and soon found Anton was leading the ride from the back in an effort to try and keep the pace down. At our recent AGM an observation had been made that the average speed of our club rides was getting higher and higher and moving well away from our stated “10 mph” pace. Anton was trying to act as a drag anchor – it sort of worked, though would have been more effective if not for the fact that a lot of the group knew exactly what todays route would be!

Copthorne Bank, Cross Lane/Dowlands Lane, Smallfield Road were soon behind us and then we wiggled south then east again onto Hare Lane. A half mile of the A22 took us north and then we were back onto the quieter roads across to Haxted Mill. Here there was a short but steep little climb before it eased off and we continued to Edenbridge. The road North is dead straight and slightly up but we soon turned right for Four Elms.

At Four Elms we took the charmingly named Pootings Road which began an uphill gradient which continued onto Mapleton Road and got steeper and steeper the further we progressed. Eventually John H couldn’t keep the pedals turning on his Brommie and had to dismount for the last 50 yards to the top. Everyone else made it and we were all grateful that our destination, Chartwell, was here at the top of the hill.

In spite of Antons efforts at slowing us down, we’d covered the 20 miles in less than the intended 2 hours and although the café was open their hot food was not yet available. No matter, tea and cakes would do and we sat and ate them whilst observing the large number of people visiting Winston Churchills old gaff.

The ride home started with an exhilarating descent back the way we came. Although, as back marker I’d miscounted how many of our group had gone past me and was more than slightly relieved to find nobody missing when we regrouped at the next junction. We travelled west then south into Edenbridge and got hooted at by a couple of cars objecting to Frank riding two abreast, but once we were back on the smaller roads things quietened down again. We retraced our morning route as far as Haxted Mill and then turned left onto Water lane. I’d never used this road until the other week, nor the next road, St. Piers Lane. As we passed through the National Centre for Epileptic Children, John H seemed to express a desire to live in such a sheltered community – I think it was just the neatness of the houses and the pleasant location.


We now reached Lingfield and unlike last time we headed out on the B2028. As the road twisted and turned away from the village several cars were held up behind us but they all seemed fairly relaxed about it. Crossing the A22 at the roundabout near the Mormon “temple”, we then forked right onto Bones Lane which took us on to Croydon Barn Lane and thence Smallfield Road. Arriving in Smallfield we did a left then a right onto Wheelers Lane. The surface of this road is no bumpier than any other road but all of a sudden I found my saddle trying to escape from under me – the seatpost had snapped! I haven’t had a mechanical problem for some time so I suppose I was due one. I managed to stop without injury and dismounted to see that the post had snapped at the clamp point and there was just a small amount of post sticking out of the frame. I couldn’t get a grip on it to get it out so as there was still a fair bit of post attached to the saddle I pushed that down into the seat tube and tightened it up. The rest of the ride home felt a bit weird with a low seat height and my knees feeling more strain than usual. As we all headed into Crawley along the Balcombe Road, riders started peeling off until I too said goodbye as the Maidenbower riders continued south and I headed past Three Bridges station and home with 43 miles on the clock..

Three hours and a visit to Evans Cycles at Gatwick later, I’d fitted a nice new seatpost – this time a 27.2 mm one as I suspect the 27.0 mm one I’d just broken wasn’t quite the right size. Mind you, it had lasted several years.

You Beauty!

Clear skies this morning and the temperature was low – there was a slight frost on my shed roof when I opened my curtains – consequently it took me a while to get enthusiastic and ready. Leggings today for the first time in several months, and long-fingered gloves.

I only left myself 35 minutes to get to Horsham but thought that having to push the pace would warm me up. Mind you, after the first mile I was regretting not wearing a bandana to keep my head warm – my brain was cold and I noticed my decision-making was decidedly sluggish! A quick cut through K2 and I started up Pease Pottage Hill. By the time I reached the top I was nice and warm and mentally firing on all cylinders. I’d like to say that I really ‘put the hammer down’ as I travelled through Pease Pottage and Colgate but the truth is that I just couldn’t step up the pace. It seems like I’ve been running on empty for a few weeks now although I don’t feel unfit or ill – perhaps I need a break from cycling?

Anyway, I arrived at Horsham Park Pavilions bang on 09:30 to find Barbara, John, Norman and Richard waiting for me. After chatting for a few minutes we headed off along Hurst Road, down North Parade and Springfield Road before heading up Worthing Road to turn right by the Boars Head. I always find this right turn as we go up a hill really awkward but usually speaking the cars give us plenty of leeway. After Tower Hill it’s generally downhill all the way to the Bax Castle where the road crosses the route of The Downs Link. Two Mile Ash road continues this downward trend onwards to Barns Green and apart from a slight up gradient on Valewood Lane and another on West Chiltington Lane, there wasn’t much to tax us.

The A272 was deserted as we crossed it at Coneyhurst and the B2133 was just as deserted at Broadford Bridge. All signs of the frost had long since disappeared – indeed there had been none on any of the roads – and the sun was now blindingly bright. Woods Hill was as steep as ever and for the second consecutive time we met a big (milk?) tanker at the top of the hill.




Heading on through West Chiltington the sweeping bends of The Hollow were spoilt for me by the slow-coach cars impeding my progress. Sunday Drivers!! Stream Lane was deathly quiet as was Nutbourne Road. As we headed towards the A283 I cast my usual glance at the bamboo thicket on the right in the hope of spotting a panda. I’ll probably fall off my bike if I ever spot one!

We resisted the temptation to stop for elevenses at Wiggonholt and carried on to skirt the north and west of the Parham estate down towards Rackham before turning right to Amberley. Here Barbara spotted a selection of knobbly squashes for sale and bought four to load into her panniers. I was trying to get a photo looking north over Amberley Wildbrooks but although it looked good with the naked eye, the photo was rubbish.



We stopped at The Black Horse for lunch and partook of good quality food and an excellent pint or two of Harveys Sussex Bitter. To be honest, I could have stayed in the pub all afternoon – but that wouldn’t have got me home for dinner. So it was back outside to the bikes.



In spite of the sunshine, it wasn’t warm and we didn’t hang around. Barbara had decided to ride on to Amberley Station and get a train back to Horsham, the rest of us headed back the way we’d come. Then at West Chiltington we carried on east to the B2139 Coolham Road. Heading north we then took Sincox Lane across to Broomers Corner and then passed The Countryman before heading into Southwater on the Shipley Road. It always seems like a long drag up through Southwater on the Worthing Road and I’m always glad when we turn off onto Southwater Street to cross over the A24. The first part of Kerves Lane is nicely downhill but then it’s slightly uphill for the last half mile to the A281. Skirting through eastern Horsham, we said goodbye to John as he headed down Depot Road to go to Horsham Station. Then it was goodbye to Norman at the Harwood Road roundabout and just Richard and me to carry on back to Crawley. As usual I found the Forest Road hard work for the first couple of miles but once past Colgate I got my second wind and on reaching Pease Pottage knew that it was downhill all the way home from there. 55 miles came up on my speedo as I said goodbye to Richard and pulled up at home six and a half hours after setting off.
Here's the ride profile from Horsham and back to Horsham:



Don't forget our AGM is this Thursday (22nd October) from 19:30 hrs at the Broadbridge Heath Village Centre. Please come along and influence the types of rides and destinations for the coming year.
The next ride is on Sunday 25th October and is a two hour ride to Chartwell from Three Bridges Railway Station starting at 09:30 hrs. Expected return will be about 15:00 hrs.

Railway Crossings Ride

Ride: Blacksmith's Arms, Adversane
Distance: 40 miles - medium
Leader: Mick

Today’s ride was named the ‘Railway Crossings’ ride. The attendees, John H, John C, Bob and Anton were advised to pay attention to the route as there would be a quiz at the lunch stop.

Duly warned we turned left out of Three Bridges station towards Crawley. I had decided to shout woo-woo when we crossed the railway. We turned left just before the Squareabout onto a cycle track and over (woo-woo) the railway. After the cycle path we headed towards the Hawth theatre and over the railway (woo-woo) near the old leisure centre. We then passed the new library to go under the railway (woo-woo) before turning right into the hotel car park to come out behind Crawley Station. Turning right we went over the level-crossing (woo-woo) and, utilizing the cycle path round Asda, headed past the Swan, over another level-crossing (woo-woo) and right onto the cycle path along the bottom of Goffs park. Crossing over the A23 into Gossops Green we turned right onto Overdene Drive (woo-woo) to pass Ifield station.

We now headed out on the Rusper Road, past The Gate, The Lamb and The Frog and Nightgown public houses before crossing the railway (woo-woo) near the A264. We went straight over the A264 and used the old Crawley road before turning right and then onto the Horsham bypass (woo-woo). Left into Horsham took us past Littlehaven Station (woo-woo) and Novartis (woo-woo). Passing through Horsham we headed towards the Boar’s Head and crossed over the railway once more (woo-woo). Right at the pub then through Christ’s Hospital (woo-woo) before arriving in Barns Green. Left in the village (woo-woo) before taking two right turns to get onto Back Lane and over the level crossing (woo-woo). From there we headed south to Coneyhurst and another overbridge (woo-woo).



It was then over the A272 and eventually turned right at Broadford Bridge to take the B2133 owards Adversane, our lunch venue and also the last of the railway crossings (woo-woo). Arriving at the pub at 12:04 we found John V waiting for us.

Having warned the pub of our visit previously it was a bit of a surprise to find a new landlord. They had a restricted menu but did sandwiches so that suited us. It was now quiz time. The quiz was one question ‘How many times did we cross the Three Bridges to Bognor railway line?’ John H guessed 5, John C guessed 13, Anton guessed 17 and Bob guessed 16. The correct answer was 16, see above and count the woo-woos, so well done to Bob.

After lunch John V made his own way home and the rest of us set off in the rain. The route was Billingshurst, Barns Green and Southwater. Anton left us in Southwater so now there was only four. Right into Southwater Street took us through Sedgewick and over the A281. This led us to Hammerponds where I turned left to Horsham and the others turned right towards Crawley.
The distance was a bit over the scheduled 40 - in fact John H, who provided this profile of the ride, covered nearly 50!






Our next ride is entitled "You Beauty" and starts from Horsham Park Pavilion at 09:30 hrs on Sunday 18th October. It will be about 40 miles (4 hours of cycling) with a stop for lunch at the Black Horse in Amberley. It's rated as medium but as my legs are tired I'll be looking to make it easier ;-) The weather forecast is looking good with clear skies predicted to last all day Sunday.

Kent Caff

A nice sunny morning but with a slight chill in the air saw six of us congregate at Three Bridges Station – John C, Pat, Frank, John H, Norman and me, Bob. John C led us away from the station and up Worth Park Avenue to the roundabout where we headed North along the Balcombe Road. After Pound Hill, to the right of this road is a place called Heathy Ground which has been earmarked as a possible new neighbourhood for the town. However, due to the possible expansion of Gatwick Airport, plans for development there have been put on hold. It will be convenient for the Crematorium though if it ever does get built!
At the next roundabout we turned right and on crossing the Motorway also crossed into Surrey. This road makes for uncomfortable cycling as it’s not all that wide and has a fair amount of fast traffic negotiating its curves. After a mile of its dangers we took a left onto a quiet lane that goes through the backwater that is Burstow. The people living in these parts seem to like greyhounds as you often see a lot of them being walked around. Emerging by Rede Hall we turned left then first right to get back onto the always quiet Cross Lane and Dowlands Lane. Next we turned right onto Smallfield Road and then left up Church Road into Horne. Although short, this was the first of many climbs this week. Turning east once more we headed along Whitewood Lane and then Byers Lane to emerge on the A22. A quick couple of hundred yards and then we were back on a minor road heading towards Tilburstow Hill. This road goes up a couple of hills before the hill bearing its name rears its head but we turned off at the bottom by the Fox and Hounds pub, onto Harts Lane.

Soon this crosses the A22 and generally bearing left we headed north east to Oxted where we encountered another couple of short climbs. Passing the railway station we went under the railway and further through Oxted before using the B269 to cross the M25 as we headed towards Titsey.

Titsey Hill is a full frontal assault on the scarp face of the North Downs, however there’s an escape route to the right just before the hill bites – Pilgrims Lane – so we took it! That road climbs anyway and afforded us good views to the south. Eventually we reached the A233 London Road and swept down it at speed over the M25 to arrive in Westerham for our lunch. In a break with club habit, we lunched at a café rather than a pub. Sat outside, overlooking the village green, we observed hundreds of cyclists climbing the A25 Vicarage Hill which forms the southern edge of the green. Many were wearing Dulwich Cycle Club colours but we never actually found out what the event was.

Here’s a photo of some grumpy old bloke commemorated by a statue on the green:

After lunch we headed west along the A25 before turning south to pass Squerryes Court and start the long climb up Goodley Stock Road. Eventually we reached a T-junction where we turned left to complete the climb before it swiftly took us down Crockham Hill on the B269 before we turned right onto Dairy Lane as the land levelled out. Another slight climb and then a left turn onto Guildables Lane which mainly took us south. By now the sun was hidden by cloud and the wind was more noticeable (and in our faces). We were enjoying the cycling though and there were very few cars around. Monks Lane took us west and then Grants Lane took us south once more. The charmingly named Honeypot Lane lead us to the unusually named Dwelly Lane which took us further south until we reached Haxted Road. Passing Haxted Mill we took the next left down Water Lane. Apparently this is aptly named as John C pointed out that it had been unpassable due to floodwater just a few months ago. From here we took St Piers Lane which goes through what looks like a model village or planned community. It’s St Piers School which is “The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy” according to t’internet.

Now we were in Lingfield and passing the racecourse before climbing the short Town Hill into the middle of the village (Lingfield’s not a town in my book). Now we had to decide whether to use the Newchapel Road or the Godstone Road. Although the former would be the shortest route, it’s also the one with the most traffic and the road itself is quite unpleasant. So the latter got the vote. It took us north then northeast for a couple of miles, followed by half a mile of A22 before gaining the sanctuary of Hare Lane. From here a quick right then a left and we were on Croydon Barn Lane. Passing the road to Horne that we’d used earlier, we were now retracing our steps and turning left into Dowlands Lane we stopped for a breather. Frank was suffering from a stitch so we decided to have a bit of a break. Only trouble was that I needed to get back home as my wife and I were expecting visitors to help us celebrate our wedding anniversary. I made my goodbyes and thanked John for an enjoyable ride before striking off for home. Norman decided to keep me company and we were soon climbing the gradual slope up Copthorne Bank. Norman bade me farewell as he stopped to get some refreshments from a shop and I ploughed on. Now I was by myself I just used the direct route into Crawley along the old A264 (now the A2220), over the M25 and back down Worth Park Avenue to Three Bridges Station. From here it’s just a mile home and I pulled up at my front door with 44 miles on the speedo and half an hour before our first guests arrived. Timing!

Next weeks ride starts at 09:30hrs from Three Bridges Station once again. It’s called the Railway Crossings ride and will be led by Mick. There will be a little quiz at the lunch stop (I think it might be railway related) which is at the Blacksmiths Arms, Adversane (TQ074232). It’s rated as a medium ride and should finish by about 16:00 hrs at the latest.

Don’t forget, the AGM is coming up on Thursday 22nd October at Broadbridge Heath Village Centre. It would be nice to see as many members there as possible so you can let us know what you want your club to provide in the way of rides and events. It’s a 7:30 pm start so you should be able to get there after you’ve had your evening meal.

Seaside Ride

At only 93km (56 miles) Sunday's ride was 507km short of a full days ride for Anton, but nonetheless he joined us in Lindfield for a ride toDitchling cafe, his first ride in a month (by the way Anton thinks thatthere are 36 hours in a day, as well!). Five of us left Three Bridges at 9.15 - Bob, Richard, Martin, John C and myself, Peter S - on a glorious sunny day. Warming up on the short climb (slope!) up to Turners Hill we arrived in Lindfield at 10 having been intercepted by Anton just beforehand.

After a pleasant ride down Slugwash Lane and across Ditchling Common, we arrived at Ditchling Café at about 11.

We all had a drink with a tea cake - except for one person, who will remain nameless, who partook of a sizeable breakfast. Suitably refreshed we left the cafe and took the left turn in to Ditchling road at 11.35. Bob lead the way up the Beacon closely followed by Richard, but Richard slip-streamed past him at the top to take the first place, the maillot verte and the prize (we think you did this last year as well, Richard?! (:->). I arrived at the top of the Ditchling Beacon some time later at 11.49 - for me this is a great success (only 14 minutes) and it means that I pass my annual fitness test and will be kept on at home for another year.... John C, out on his latest new bike, left us in Ditchling to return home with Anton, who is recovering from an operation - it was his first time out on the bike for four weeks and so we were especially pleased to see him.

Guess who had the sizeable breakfast?

From the top of Ditchling Beacon it is a splendid and easy stretch across the Downs with wonderful panoramic views in to Brighton where we arrived at 12.30. At Old Boat Corner, Richard left us for Lewes so just three of us carried on to Brighton. Coincidentally the Labour party conference was taking place and we were much amused to see Bob triumphantly arrive on the seafront with his own personal five strong police motor cycle escort! Total distance to Brighton 29 miles for our annual trip to the seaside in the sun. Dare I say it, but it has been sunny four of the five years we have done this trip.

A short lunch on the front at the smoked fish bar left Bob and me to do the ride home as Martin had commitments and returned by train.We left at 13.00 and rather than head directly for the NCN20 Bob lead us through Hove via Hove station, Hove park and parts of NCR82 to Devils Dyke.
This was a long steady climb but very pleasant (partly) following the route of the old railway up to the Dyke. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dyke_railway_stationFrom the Dyke we had a fast freewheel via Newtimber to the A23 where we joined the NCN20 which duly lead us to The Victory in Staplefield for 14.50 (we know this as it closes at 15.00 and we just sneaked in in time).
Then a gentle slope up to Handcross and home through Tilgate forest. Total for the day 56 miles on a really lovely day out by the seaside.
Thanks to all who joined us and especially to Bob for his company on the way back.