I think I frightened Anton off producing a blog entry for this ride by suggesting he write it as a poem!
I understand he led Norman, John H, John V, Richard and Pete S from Three Bridges station out to the North and East of Crawley as far as Redhill Aerodrome only to find that the Cafe wasn't open. Doh!
They returned via Horley and NCN 21 through Gatwick.
Monday, 28 December 2009
Monday, 21 December 2009
Oh no! Not another poem!
Snow and Ice
Is all very nice
And picture skew
But would you
Ride a bike in it?
Evidently not,
For when I got
To the start
No-one apart
From Mick was there!
And he’d walked.
So we just talked
About the snow
And where we will go
On the Anniversary Ride.
Tenterden’s chosen
(Though currently frozen)
And details will be
Provided by me
By e-mail and on our web-pages.
Back to the ride
And I couldn’t hide
The joy of not needing
To go ride a-leading
I’d just cycle back to my warm house.
On leaving the town
Midst trees weighted down
With bright white snow
I cycled quite slow
And enjoyed my place on this planet.
Pease Pottage was gained
And for once I refrained
From riding that slope
On a wish and a hope
Cos I’d never have stopped at the bottom!
Just for some fun
The next bit of the run
Was through Tilgate Forest
With snow up to my chest
(Well actually that’s poetic license!)
You just cannot beat
Being perched on the seat
Of a bike, you know
In rain, sun or snow
And so with a broad smile I arrived home (to end this poem).
Is all very nice
And picture skew
But would you
Ride a bike in it?
Evidently not,
For when I got
To the start
No-one apart
From Mick was there!
And he’d walked.
So we just talked
About the snow
And where we will go
On the Anniversary Ride.
Tenterden’s chosen
(Though currently frozen)
And details will be
Provided by me
By e-mail and on our web-pages.
Back to the ride
And I couldn’t hide
The joy of not needing
To go ride a-leading
I’d just cycle back to my warm house.
On leaving the town
Midst trees weighted down
With bright white snow
I cycled quite slow
And enjoyed my place on this planet.
Pease Pottage was gained
And for once I refrained
From riding that slope
On a wish and a hope
Cos I’d never have stopped at the bottom!
Just for some fun
The next bit of the run
Was through Tilgate Forest
With snow up to my chest
(Well actually that’s poetic license!)
You just cannot beat
Being perched on the seat
Of a bike, you know
In rain, sun or snow
And so with a broad smile I arrived home (to end this poem).
Monday, 14 December 2009
Ride It Off
Fresh(?) from the excesses of Saturdays Club Christmas Dinner, a ten o’clock start from Three Bridges Station for a twenty-two mile offroad jaunt along the Worth Way/Forest Way didn’t seem too onerous. I’d already swapped my slicks for knobblies and the weather was cold but dry so I dressed up warm and left my waterproofs at home. After all, I could always sprint back home if any rain came along.
John C was the leader and the other attendees were Pete S, Mick, John H, John V, Norman and me, Bob.
Being honest law-abiding citizens we walked our bikes along the footpath under the railway bridge before remounting to ride up Billinton Drive. The first part of Worth Way had a thin film of soggy mud which was spraying up from our tyres but was good and firm underneath. Just after crossing the M23 (on a bridge!) we met one of our club members, Pat. We didn’t recognise her at first – she was in “civvies” as she was out for a walk. Frank wasn’t with her as he was laid low with flu – get well soon Frank. I stopped for a chat and then had to sprint a bit to catch up with the others. It was great fun zipping along the track and I was full of the joys of spring (or should we call it “fat-tyre frenzy”?) as I carved some lines and nearly wiped out three other cyclists as I nailed a blind bend! As ever, on the stretch alongside (the former) Rowfant Station I was bemoaning the fact that the track has been 'improved'. It used to be a superb bit of singletrack: fast and flowing with loads of tree roots, mud and a narrow bridge with no railings, great for improving your bike handling skills. Just afterwards the track does a right and left as it cuts across the line of the railway but as usual I took the ‘fun’ route which climbs through the bushes and across the end of the embankment to cut off the double bend (it’s only 10 metres long but involves a muddy climb and descent on a narrow track). The next stretch is dead straight and is where I usually take the opportunity for a drink. The embankment gets higher and higher and crosses Rowfant Lane about 50 feet above the road surface. Shortly after, the path goes into a cutting but just beforehand there’s a sloping path on the left which leads up to the Turners Hill Road. Mick left us at this point as he’d ridden all the way from Horsham and wanted to ensure he returned before it got too dark (also, being on a handbuilt touring bike with road tyres he was having to concentrate to stay upright, whereas I was just chucking my mountain bike around with gay abandon). Only two weeks into the competition for next years Mick Horley trophy, Mick has built up a good lead with double the points of his nearest competitor. The rest of us will have to pull our collective fingers out!!
As we went up the slope to Crawley Down, I realised that John H on his recumbent must be having a fairly hard time of it. With his small wheels and relatively grip free tyres he found it quite hard manoeuvering through the fence at the top. The mile of tarmac through the houses let the mud flick off our tyres and drop off our frames before hitting the next stretch of track. As we passed the pond I was surprised to see a number off dayglo jacketed people doing some maintenance work. John V infomed me that they were doing their Community Service but they looked more like volunteers to me. Before long we arrived on the outskirts of East Grinstead and the viaduct now owned by the Bluebell Railway was visible to the right. It’ll be great seeing steam engines going over it again soon. Way up in the air above all those houses.
We took the fast route though East Grinstead and used Beeching Way – named after the man appointed by the pro-roads Transport Minister (well he did own the road construction company that got the contracts for most of Britains early motorways). The path continues as the Forest Way and is downhill for a good couple of miles – I was zipping along there at speeds of 25 to 30 mph (in the bits where there were no other users) but pulled up at Brambletye Lane to take a quick diversion down to the ruins of the Manor house with Norman and John C.
Meeting back up with the others at the road crossing, we entered Forest Row through the back door only to find that the café by the tip was closed. So, we headed to the High Street but both those cafes were closed as well! There was one last café we knew of, on the Hartfield Road, and fortunately it was open. As we pulled up it started to rain but no matter, we were in the warm and our bikes could do with a wash.
After we’d finished our refreshments (bacon buttie and a mug of tea for me) it had stopped raining but was noticeably colder and darker. We left Forest Row the way we’d arrived and were soon nice and warm as we got a good spinning rhythm going on the long climb back to East Grinstead. This time we eschewed Beeching Way and used the High Street which meant I could practice climbing the steps up and over the railway by the station. The rest of the journey back was uneventful with John H leaving us at Keepers Cottage and Pete, John C and John V leaving us in Worth. Norman and I carried on until I turned off for Furnace Green leaving Norman to ride back to Horsham by himself – my navigational instructions to him were: “You see that bright bit of sky over there? Well keep heading in that direction!” Hopefully that got him through Crawley and onwards successfully…..
The ride for Sunday 20th December will be a Morning Ride starting from Horsham Park Pavilion at 10:00hrs and led by me (Bob). It’ll be a fairly short (2 hours/20 miles ish) loop to the south of Horsham which I may make even shorter depending on the weather. I suspect a warm pub may be calling afterwards – although my original intention of a finish at the Dragon in Colgate has been thwarted due to its closure!
John C was the leader and the other attendees were Pete S, Mick, John H, John V, Norman and me, Bob.
Being honest law-abiding citizens we walked our bikes along the footpath under the railway bridge before remounting to ride up Billinton Drive. The first part of Worth Way had a thin film of soggy mud which was spraying up from our tyres but was good and firm underneath. Just after crossing the M23 (on a bridge!) we met one of our club members, Pat. We didn’t recognise her at first – she was in “civvies” as she was out for a walk. Frank wasn’t with her as he was laid low with flu – get well soon Frank. I stopped for a chat and then had to sprint a bit to catch up with the others. It was great fun zipping along the track and I was full of the joys of spring (or should we call it “fat-tyre frenzy”?) as I carved some lines and nearly wiped out three other cyclists as I nailed a blind bend! As ever, on the stretch alongside (the former) Rowfant Station I was bemoaning the fact that the track has been 'improved'. It used to be a superb bit of singletrack: fast and flowing with loads of tree roots, mud and a narrow bridge with no railings, great for improving your bike handling skills. Just afterwards the track does a right and left as it cuts across the line of the railway but as usual I took the ‘fun’ route which climbs through the bushes and across the end of the embankment to cut off the double bend (it’s only 10 metres long but involves a muddy climb and descent on a narrow track). The next stretch is dead straight and is where I usually take the opportunity for a drink. The embankment gets higher and higher and crosses Rowfant Lane about 50 feet above the road surface. Shortly after, the path goes into a cutting but just beforehand there’s a sloping path on the left which leads up to the Turners Hill Road. Mick left us at this point as he’d ridden all the way from Horsham and wanted to ensure he returned before it got too dark (also, being on a handbuilt touring bike with road tyres he was having to concentrate to stay upright, whereas I was just chucking my mountain bike around with gay abandon). Only two weeks into the competition for next years Mick Horley trophy, Mick has built up a good lead with double the points of his nearest competitor. The rest of us will have to pull our collective fingers out!!
As we went up the slope to Crawley Down, I realised that John H on his recumbent must be having a fairly hard time of it. With his small wheels and relatively grip free tyres he found it quite hard manoeuvering through the fence at the top. The mile of tarmac through the houses let the mud flick off our tyres and drop off our frames before hitting the next stretch of track. As we passed the pond I was surprised to see a number off dayglo jacketed people doing some maintenance work. John V infomed me that they were doing their Community Service but they looked more like volunteers to me. Before long we arrived on the outskirts of East Grinstead and the viaduct now owned by the Bluebell Railway was visible to the right. It’ll be great seeing steam engines going over it again soon. Way up in the air above all those houses.
We took the fast route though East Grinstead and used Beeching Way – named after the man appointed by the pro-roads Transport Minister (well he did own the road construction company that got the contracts for most of Britains early motorways). The path continues as the Forest Way and is downhill for a good couple of miles – I was zipping along there at speeds of 25 to 30 mph (in the bits where there were no other users) but pulled up at Brambletye Lane to take a quick diversion down to the ruins of the Manor house with Norman and John C.
Meeting back up with the others at the road crossing, we entered Forest Row through the back door only to find that the café by the tip was closed. So, we headed to the High Street but both those cafes were closed as well! There was one last café we knew of, on the Hartfield Road, and fortunately it was open. As we pulled up it started to rain but no matter, we were in the warm and our bikes could do with a wash.
After we’d finished our refreshments (bacon buttie and a mug of tea for me) it had stopped raining but was noticeably colder and darker. We left Forest Row the way we’d arrived and were soon nice and warm as we got a good spinning rhythm going on the long climb back to East Grinstead. This time we eschewed Beeching Way and used the High Street which meant I could practice climbing the steps up and over the railway by the station. The rest of the journey back was uneventful with John H leaving us at Keepers Cottage and Pete, John C and John V leaving us in Worth. Norman and I carried on until I turned off for Furnace Green leaving Norman to ride back to Horsham by himself – my navigational instructions to him were: “You see that bright bit of sky over there? Well keep heading in that direction!” Hopefully that got him through Crawley and onwards successfully…..
The ride for Sunday 20th December will be a Morning Ride starting from Horsham Park Pavilion at 10:00hrs and led by me (Bob). It’ll be a fairly short (2 hours/20 miles ish) loop to the south of Horsham which I may make even shorter depending on the weather. I suspect a warm pub may be calling afterwards – although my original intention of a finish at the Dragon in Colgate has been thwarted due to its closure!
Sunday, 13 December 2009
The Club Christmas Dinner
Horsham and Crawley CTC
Starting to feel all Christmassy
Decided to luncheon at The Gate
With turkey or lamb upon the plate
Salmon or veggie available too.
Anton had some work to do:
Collating requirements,
Collecting the payments,
Leading us to the rendezvous.
There at Parkgate, by The Surrey Oaks
We met Barbara and two Horsham blokes
Norman and Mick – they’d ridden too quick
And been waiting at the cold roadside
For the Crawley contingent to finally arrive
Then heading south we took Partridge Lane
And Orltons and Langhurst – both lanes again
Last turn on the ride and glide to the pub
For Pickled Partridge and luvverly grub
Barbara made a speech and gave out a prize
Anton, Mick or Bob – one of those guys
Won it for riding on most club rides
And leading several others besides
Turning out in weather pleasant or grim
The Mick Horley trophy was awarded to him
With daylight fast fading, time to head home
And struggle to write this blog as a poem!
Starting to feel all Christmassy
Decided to luncheon at The Gate
With turkey or lamb upon the plate
Salmon or veggie available too.
Anton had some work to do:
Collating requirements,
Collecting the payments,
Leading us to the rendezvous.
There at Parkgate, by The Surrey Oaks
We met Barbara and two Horsham blokes
Norman and Mick – they’d ridden too quick
And been waiting at the cold roadside
For the Crawley contingent to finally arrive
Then heading south we took Partridge Lane
And Orltons and Langhurst – both lanes again
Last turn on the ride and glide to the pub
For Pickled Partridge and luvverly grub
Barbara made a speech and gave out a prize
Anton, Mick or Bob – one of those guys
Won it for riding on most club rides
And leading several others besides
Turning out in weather pleasant or grim
The Mick Horley trophy was awarded to him
With daylight fast fading, time to head home
And struggle to write this blog as a poem!
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Punch & Judy
The day had started very wet but the rain had eased off by our scheduled start time of 10:00. At the start were Barbara, Norman, Bob, John H and myself, Mick. Anton also turned up but could not find a parking space so, as he had other commitments he headed home. There was a swimming event on and the centre car park was full. I had gone in for a cup of tea and was served it in paper cup rather than the usual china cup. I enquired about this and was told it was because of the swimming event. "Health and safety?" I said. "No," came the reply, "most of the china cups went missing at the last event."
After some minor adjustments to Barbara’s brakes we set off. We headed through north Horsham on Pondtail Road, over the bypass onto Langhurstwood Road, then straight into and through a flood! It was only a few inches deep but all the way across the road. We headed up the hill and past the tip before taking a right turn and then a left up to Rusper. Norman left us here and returned home via Friday Street. Meanwhile we headed further north to Newdigate where we turned left towards Capel. As we cycled along Misbrooks Green Road we spotted an old railway signal in someones back garden. It's a single signal post with both a Home and a Distant upper quadrant signal mounted on it. Reaching Capel we turned left and then right over the A24, past Ockley station and onto Weare Street, one of the prettiest lanes in the area;
At the end of Weare Street we crossed over the A29 and passed a sleeping policeman - no, really, he was parked up at the side of the road and having a snooze!
We were not very far from the lunch stop so pressed on. We pulled up at the Punchbowl to find that John V was already there. Also there was another cycle club (from Croydon) for their Christmas Lunch, so we were concerned about getting a table. Fortunately they were eating in a separate room so we found a table in the restaurant. The food, beer and company were all good and we managed to put the world to rights before once more heading back outside.
Returning to the A29 we headed south and into the breeze before taking the first left into Marches Road and then right into Mayes Lane. After a short distance we passed a farm with some old buses in a barn. A Routemaster was the only one I recognized. There are usually more old vehicles here including a fire engine but not today unfortunately.
It was then on to Warnham where we took Bell Lane, crossed the A24 and continued along Station Road to use the underpass at Warnham Station. At the end of Mercer Lane the Horsham members turned right to travel the mile or so back home, whilst the Crawley members turned left and reclimbed the hill past the tip. We continued retracing our earlier route as far as Rusper. Here we turned right to enjoy the downhill run which seemed to take us all the way to Ifield (I think the wind was behind us). Splitting up in the Town Centre, John H & John V headed on home to Pound Hill whilst Bob made for Furnace Green, arriving home at 15:00hrs with 41 miles on his speedo.
Don't forget, this coming weekend sees the Christmas Dinner on Saturday (have you given Anton your menu choices?) and then a nice easy ride out and back along the Worth Way on Sunday (10:00 hrs start at Three Bridges).
After some minor adjustments to Barbara’s brakes we set off. We headed through north Horsham on Pondtail Road, over the bypass onto Langhurstwood Road, then straight into and through a flood! It was only a few inches deep but all the way across the road. We headed up the hill and past the tip before taking a right turn and then a left up to Rusper. Norman left us here and returned home via Friday Street. Meanwhile we headed further north to Newdigate where we turned left towards Capel. As we cycled along Misbrooks Green Road we spotted an old railway signal in someones back garden. It's a single signal post with both a Home and a Distant upper quadrant signal mounted on it. Reaching Capel we turned left and then right over the A24, past Ockley station and onto Weare Street, one of the prettiest lanes in the area;
At the end of Weare Street we crossed over the A29 and passed a sleeping policeman - no, really, he was parked up at the side of the road and having a snooze!
We were not very far from the lunch stop so pressed on. We pulled up at the Punchbowl to find that John V was already there. Also there was another cycle club (from Croydon) for their Christmas Lunch, so we were concerned about getting a table. Fortunately they were eating in a separate room so we found a table in the restaurant. The food, beer and company were all good and we managed to put the world to rights before once more heading back outside.
Returning to the A29 we headed south and into the breeze before taking the first left into Marches Road and then right into Mayes Lane. After a short distance we passed a farm with some old buses in a barn. A Routemaster was the only one I recognized. There are usually more old vehicles here including a fire engine but not today unfortunately.
It was then on to Warnham where we took Bell Lane, crossed the A24 and continued along Station Road to use the underpass at Warnham Station. At the end of Mercer Lane the Horsham members turned right to travel the mile or so back home, whilst the Crawley members turned left and reclimbed the hill past the tip. We continued retracing our earlier route as far as Rusper. Here we turned right to enjoy the downhill run which seemed to take us all the way to Ifield (I think the wind was behind us). Splitting up in the Town Centre, John H & John V headed on home to Pound Hill whilst Bob made for Furnace Green, arriving home at 15:00hrs with 41 miles on his speedo.
Don't forget, this coming weekend sees the Christmas Dinner on Saturday (have you given Anton your menu choices?) and then a nice easy ride out and back along the Worth Way on Sunday (10:00 hrs start at Three Bridges).
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