Several of our regular riders were not available today so we were down to four of our fitter cyclists - John C, John V, Jeet and Peter S. We were hoping for a taste of summer following Saturday's high temperatures and in the event had a pretty respectable day, albeit with a little rain. Today's ride was to the Sloop at Scaynes Hill, just outside Haywards Heath. I don't know why I keep putting this on the runs list as our visits there are always fraught! The last time we went there the pub was closed for one day - the day we had chosen to go there…
Anyway, we left Three Bridges at 09.40 and headed up to Turners Hill where we went straight across to freewheel most of the way to East Grinstead (it seemed like that with fabulous views to the south on the downhill). Jeet and John V were already heading off in to the distance at this point. We climbed the short hill to turn right for Weir Wood reservoir and paused to re-group. I did advise the group that my (absent) tandem partner had advised me before I left home that we would get to lunch too early and that we should not go to0 fast. How prophetic?! At the reservoir we negotiated the broken track that West Sussex CC laughingly call a road to climb up to Tyes Cross - (do take care on this section as you arrive at speed at the bottom of the hill to a completely disintegrated road surface). Then straight over the Sharpethorne road to fork left and through the Ford. Today we had no incidents with motorists or horses or water (note: didn't see Frank there either?). The lanes and views along this section were superb - the primroses are out and, maybe, even more spectacular than usual this year (perhaps because of the length and severity of the winter?) and the bluebells are starting to show through. After a further climb we arrived, following a short shower, in Horsted Keynes where we turned left towards Scaynes Hill. We were pleased to see the steam train on the Bluebell railway and duly arrived at the Sloop at 11.15 - early as predicted. I had previously advised Richard Bates, one of the three south eastern CTC national councillors, that we would be visiting the Sloop (near where he lives in Haywards Heath), but he had not confirmed that he would join us for lunch, so the group had to make it's choice - either add in a loop or carry on. It was agreed to carry on, so after inspecting the remains of the canal lock by the Sloop (have you ever seen this???) we headed in to Lindfield with the idea of stopping at the Café there - unfortunately it was closed. So it was turn west in to Haywards Heath past the 'Witch' public house (this does look interesting and I wonder if we should have a ride there?), lead by John C who used to live in the area. We then took the road past the station via the viaduct (!) to Balcombe. This is a very pleasant climb, marred only by people who erect large signs in the middle of fields - shouldn't they be subject to advertising rules?! We have previously been very glad to visit the café in Balcombe on a wet Sunday morning but today, you guessed it, it was closed! So it was in to the pub for a quick drink and then over the B2036 to the water tower (after a short climb), turn left for Handcross so that we could check the updates to the NCR20 signs recently erected by the Highways Authority - very nice they are too. At Pease Pottage we opted to follow the NCR20 diversion through Broadfield as we are going to use this route for the 'Crawley Family Bike Ride' on Sunday 6th June (see details on our website). Care needs to be taken crossing the A264 but otherwise it is a very pleasant route down the hill to Tilgate roundabout and then through to Oriel school. We arrived back at 14.30 after a pleasant 37 miles. You may have noticed the word 'climb' featuring above, but it was really a very pleasant route through the delightful south eastern countryside - we missed you!
Next week we have an introductory ride in Horsham. If you know anyone that has shown an interest in cycling and might like a short ride with us please let them know about it. Hope to see you there. Happy Cycling, Peter S
Monday, 26 April 2010
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Box Hill Café
Good weather saw a good turnout this week. Richard led Norman, John V, John C, Pat, Frank, Mick, Jeet and myself (Bob) away from Three Bridges Station, along Hazelwick Road, North Road and Woolborough Road to emerge into a quieter than usual Industrial Estate – it’s always quiet on a Sunday but it was especially noiseless without the drone of planes from the airport and the absence of any airport servicing traffic as there were no flights to service. Looking up, the blue sky was just that – a blue sky! There were no annoying con-trails criss-crossing the atmosphere and the usual whiff of aviation exhaust fumes was pleasantly absent. We indulged in a normally voiced conversation as we rode through the airport and could actually hear our own thoughts as well as each other.
Just after passing the North Terminal I received a phone call from Pete S to say that he’d arrived late at the start and would catch us up. I gave him some idea of the route we would be taking and we continued riding – on through Povey Cross, then up Horse Hill and on to Ironsbottom. Heading west along the long straight of Dean Oak Lane, I was half expecting Pete (and Marian – they were on their tandem) to swim into view behind us, but despite hanging around for a few minutes at the end of the lane, we didn’t see them. At this point, Mick decided to head home to Horsham as he was suffering from a slightly upset stomach.
Passing through Leigh we then headed west before turning north and emerging on the A25 just east of Dorking. Turning right we only had a hundred yards of main road before turning left onto Pixham Lane. At the end of the lane we encountered the A24 but could use a cyclepath alongside it. After a mile we started on the climb of Box Hill – at first on the Old London Road, but then a right turn took us onto the much smaller (and steeper) Zig Zag Road. Yes, that’s the REAL name of the road. Along with loads of other cyclists, the odd motorcyclist and almost no cars, we settled into the long grind. As it was the first time I’d tackled this hill, I had no idea of how long it would be, nor how to judge where I was on it. I had a fairly good pace going but fancied my heart was racing so throttled back a bit (that’s the excuse I used when Richard swept past me – “I’m fifty-four you know!” I panted as he passed). Regaining my breath I was enjoying the hill again when we turned a wooded corner and …….. that was it! B*gger! I could have kept the earlier pace going. At the top of the hill was the welcome sight of a National Trust café. Most of the clientele seemed to be cyclists and we joined several in the queue to buy some tea and cake. At the bottom of the hill we’d passed another café which was absolutely packed with motorcyclists and it was there that Pete and Marian had just pulled up as I phoned to find out how long before we’d see them. Forgoing a break at the bottom of the hill, they jumped back on the tandem and took what seemed like just a few minutes (certainly less than half a cakes worth) to get up the hill, so we were finally one big group.
Once everyone had finished their refreshments and completed their ablutions, we hit the road again. Heading east along the top of the hill we passed through the village of Box Hill and pressed our noses against the glass of a bling racing bike shop. After an easy downhill we turned left onto Headley Common Road and were overtaken by a group of roadies. However, immediately afterwards, the road went steeply downhill and into a series of bends so I took the opportunity to overtake them back – I blasted down the hill passing half of them and barely managed to stay on my side of the road through the bends but I was expecting to get picked off again as the road started going back up – to my surprise (and that of their lead rider) I managed to get all the way to the front (although I couldn’t disguise the depth of my breathing!!). As we crested the next hill I couldn’t see any of our group behind me so I decided to stop and wait for them to catch up.
After more than 5 minutes I realised something was up – either I’d missed a turning or there’d been an accident, so I headed back down the hill I’d just powered up. DOH! I had missed a turning, so off I shot down a delightful lane called Lodge Bottom Road I was really motoring along at about 25 mph yet managed to confirm the presence of a tandem in front of me by asking a cyclist heading in the opposite direction. Soon enough I reached the end of the lane but there was no sign of my fellows and I was unsure which way to go. Fortunately there was another rider to ask and she pointed me in the right direction. Over a small crest and then I was blasting past the end of Zig Zag Road and on towards the biker café. There, at the side of the A24, I met the rest of our group and we continued to head south. We used Pixham Lane again then turned left onto the A25 for a mile and a half before turning right at Brockham. Now we generally headed towards the sun and, as we approached Parkgate, Norman asked what we were going to do for lunch. Most people wanted to head on home but Norman and I decided the Surrey Oaks beckoned, so we said goodbye to everyone else and settled down in the pub garden.
A couple of pints and a bagette later and we too were on our way home. We used Partridge Lane to get to Rusper and then Norman headed for Horsham and I headed back to Crawley via Ifield. For a change, rather than use the underpass into west Green, I decided to use Overdene Drive and cut through Gossops Green. As I did so, I met an old friend and workmate and stopped for a chat. Having decided that the company we now work for isn’t anywhere near as nice as the company we started working for some thirty odd years ago, we both continued on our ways and, having ridden through Goffs Park and Southgate, I was home some ten minutes later having covered about 40 miles in total.
Unfortunately I’m unavailable for the next two weekends but we have a couple of good rides coming up. This Sunday (25th April), Pete S is leading a 40 mile round trip from Three Bridges station at 09:30 with a lunch stop at The Sloop – it’s bound to include some delightful lanes and picturesque countryside. Then, on Sunday 2nd May, Barbara will lead an easy Introductory ride of no more than 2 hours duration starting from Horsham Pavilion in the Park at 10:00hrs. The weather’s getting nicer day-by-day, so go on, get out there and enjoy the riding!
Just after passing the North Terminal I received a phone call from Pete S to say that he’d arrived late at the start and would catch us up. I gave him some idea of the route we would be taking and we continued riding – on through Povey Cross, then up Horse Hill and on to Ironsbottom. Heading west along the long straight of Dean Oak Lane, I was half expecting Pete (and Marian – they were on their tandem) to swim into view behind us, but despite hanging around for a few minutes at the end of the lane, we didn’t see them. At this point, Mick decided to head home to Horsham as he was suffering from a slightly upset stomach.
Passing through Leigh we then headed west before turning north and emerging on the A25 just east of Dorking. Turning right we only had a hundred yards of main road before turning left onto Pixham Lane. At the end of the lane we encountered the A24 but could use a cyclepath alongside it. After a mile we started on the climb of Box Hill – at first on the Old London Road, but then a right turn took us onto the much smaller (and steeper) Zig Zag Road. Yes, that’s the REAL name of the road. Along with loads of other cyclists, the odd motorcyclist and almost no cars, we settled into the long grind. As it was the first time I’d tackled this hill, I had no idea of how long it would be, nor how to judge where I was on it. I had a fairly good pace going but fancied my heart was racing so throttled back a bit (that’s the excuse I used when Richard swept past me – “I’m fifty-four you know!” I panted as he passed). Regaining my breath I was enjoying the hill again when we turned a wooded corner and …….. that was it! B*gger! I could have kept the earlier pace going. At the top of the hill was the welcome sight of a National Trust café. Most of the clientele seemed to be cyclists and we joined several in the queue to buy some tea and cake. At the bottom of the hill we’d passed another café which was absolutely packed with motorcyclists and it was there that Pete and Marian had just pulled up as I phoned to find out how long before we’d see them. Forgoing a break at the bottom of the hill, they jumped back on the tandem and took what seemed like just a few minutes (certainly less than half a cakes worth) to get up the hill, so we were finally one big group.
Once everyone had finished their refreshments and completed their ablutions, we hit the road again. Heading east along the top of the hill we passed through the village of Box Hill and pressed our noses against the glass of a bling racing bike shop. After an easy downhill we turned left onto Headley Common Road and were overtaken by a group of roadies. However, immediately afterwards, the road went steeply downhill and into a series of bends so I took the opportunity to overtake them back – I blasted down the hill passing half of them and barely managed to stay on my side of the road through the bends but I was expecting to get picked off again as the road started going back up – to my surprise (and that of their lead rider) I managed to get all the way to the front (although I couldn’t disguise the depth of my breathing!!). As we crested the next hill I couldn’t see any of our group behind me so I decided to stop and wait for them to catch up.
After more than 5 minutes I realised something was up – either I’d missed a turning or there’d been an accident, so I headed back down the hill I’d just powered up. DOH! I had missed a turning, so off I shot down a delightful lane called Lodge Bottom Road I was really motoring along at about 25 mph yet managed to confirm the presence of a tandem in front of me by asking a cyclist heading in the opposite direction. Soon enough I reached the end of the lane but there was no sign of my fellows and I was unsure which way to go. Fortunately there was another rider to ask and she pointed me in the right direction. Over a small crest and then I was blasting past the end of Zig Zag Road and on towards the biker café. There, at the side of the A24, I met the rest of our group and we continued to head south. We used Pixham Lane again then turned left onto the A25 for a mile and a half before turning right at Brockham. Now we generally headed towards the sun and, as we approached Parkgate, Norman asked what we were going to do for lunch. Most people wanted to head on home but Norman and I decided the Surrey Oaks beckoned, so we said goodbye to everyone else and settled down in the pub garden.
A couple of pints and a bagette later and we too were on our way home. We used Partridge Lane to get to Rusper and then Norman headed for Horsham and I headed back to Crawley via Ifield. For a change, rather than use the underpass into west Green, I decided to use Overdene Drive and cut through Gossops Green. As I did so, I met an old friend and workmate and stopped for a chat. Having decided that the company we now work for isn’t anywhere near as nice as the company we started working for some thirty odd years ago, we both continued on our ways and, having ridden through Goffs Park and Southgate, I was home some ten minutes later having covered about 40 miles in total.
Unfortunately I’m unavailable for the next two weekends but we have a couple of good rides coming up. This Sunday (25th April), Pete S is leading a 40 mile round trip from Three Bridges station at 09:30 with a lunch stop at The Sloop – it’s bound to include some delightful lanes and picturesque countryside. Then, on Sunday 2nd May, Barbara will lead an easy Introductory ride of no more than 2 hours duration starting from Horsham Pavilion in the Park at 10:00hrs. The weather’s getting nicer day-by-day, so go on, get out there and enjoy the riding!
Monday, 12 April 2010
Freewheel
Todays ride started from Horsham Park Pavilion but all six riders came from ……. Crawley! JC was leading the ride and the rest of the team was made up of John V, Pete S, Bob, Richard and Jeet. Jeet last rode with us about a year ago and has recently acquired a nice new bike and wanted to put it through its paces.
We were heading to rendezvous with the other West Sussex Member Groups at Wiggonholt RSPB centre before tackling the first DA Event of the year, the Freewheel. JC was keen to avoid us having to climb Woods Hill, where the Freewheel was to be staged, on the way there, so took us on a route to the east of it. We left Horsham on the Worthing Road then turned right at the Boars Head onto Two Mile Ash Road.
With the wind coming over our left shoulder, from the north east, the riding was pleasantly easy with dry roads lined with clumps of daffodils and primroses at various places along the roadside. The cloud cover looked to be thinning and the occasional sunny spot was noticeably warmer. Contrasting with the Boars head which looks to be closed at the moment, the Bax Castle was looking very spruce and one of our group reported having had a good meal there only recently. Turning left at the T-junction just over the bridge, we carried on along Marlpost Road and then Dragons Green Lane before passing The Green Dragon and crossing the A272. One could tell it was a dry day because the A272 had loads of motorcyclists on it – you never see them on a wet day, big girls-blouses that they are!!
I was practising my no-hands riding along Smithers Hill Lane and easily managed the whole 1 mile plus length of it. I had fitted a pair of older wheels for todays ride (XT hubs dating back to the mid-eighties but with new Mavic X317 rims) and they seemed very stable – I’ll think I’ll use them for my long-distance ride next year. After enjoying the no-hands thrill I was in a world of my own as I maintained a fairly high cadence for the next mile and when I looked over my shoulder no-one else was in sight! Doh! Had I gone on the wrong route? No, there they all were, pootling along having a chinwag. It was only at this point that I realised that Richard had left us to head back for home as he was only out for a short ride today. After Broomers Corner we forked left onto Sincox Lane and then turned left onto the B2139. Just under a mile down this road we came to the junction where Dave Galle was knocked over and severely injured last autumn. It’s very hard to understand how come the van driver didn’t see Dave – the junction is very open with good sightlines in every direction – even a low sun in the southwest would have been partially blocked by a bushy tree, so it really does make you wonder what the driver was thinking!
Taking the next turn on the right we were back onto quieter roads and a short climb and similar descent brought us into West Chiltington and past the lunch stop we’d be using later on. With no cars to slow us down, the sweeping downhill bends of the Hollow were a 30mph pleasure followed by a damp (as usual) Stream Lane across to Nutbourne. A short climb followed by a longer downhill glide and we were heading further west again before turning left onto the A283 for the final mile and a bit to Wiggonholt.
Arriving at the same time as some of our fellow riders from the other member groups, there was a bit of a wait for tea and cake as the café struggled with the influx of customers, but we were soon all tucking in.
As one big group of about 20, we headed off for the Freewheel venue – back the way we’d just come but then taking the left at the West Chiltington crossroads to head up Broadford Bridge Road and past the Golf Club before stopping at the top of Woods Hill. Richard from Arun/Adur got us all organised and outlined the rules and then we were off. One revolution of the pedals to allow people to clip in and then it was all down to gravity, avoiding the wind, using the road camber, balance and how freerunning ones wheels were.
Graham from Arun/Adur won by about ten yards or so from our own JC. Gill from Bognor/Chichester was a further ten yards back in fourth place. In all, 7 rode from Arun/Adur, 8 from Bognor/Chichester and 5 from Horsham/Crawley.
As the lunch pub was back up the hill we’d just freewheeled down and in the opposite direction to home, the Horsham/Crawley contingent decided to SKIP THE PUB LUNCH!!!!
WHAT? Has the world ended? Is everyone ill? This has to be a first!!!!!!
We were heading to rendezvous with the other West Sussex Member Groups at Wiggonholt RSPB centre before tackling the first DA Event of the year, the Freewheel. JC was keen to avoid us having to climb Woods Hill, where the Freewheel was to be staged, on the way there, so took us on a route to the east of it. We left Horsham on the Worthing Road then turned right at the Boars Head onto Two Mile Ash Road.
With the wind coming over our left shoulder, from the north east, the riding was pleasantly easy with dry roads lined with clumps of daffodils and primroses at various places along the roadside. The cloud cover looked to be thinning and the occasional sunny spot was noticeably warmer. Contrasting with the Boars head which looks to be closed at the moment, the Bax Castle was looking very spruce and one of our group reported having had a good meal there only recently. Turning left at the T-junction just over the bridge, we carried on along Marlpost Road and then Dragons Green Lane before passing The Green Dragon and crossing the A272. One could tell it was a dry day because the A272 had loads of motorcyclists on it – you never see them on a wet day, big girls-blouses that they are!!
I was practising my no-hands riding along Smithers Hill Lane and easily managed the whole 1 mile plus length of it. I had fitted a pair of older wheels for todays ride (XT hubs dating back to the mid-eighties but with new Mavic X317 rims) and they seemed very stable – I’ll think I’ll use them for my long-distance ride next year. After enjoying the no-hands thrill I was in a world of my own as I maintained a fairly high cadence for the next mile and when I looked over my shoulder no-one else was in sight! Doh! Had I gone on the wrong route? No, there they all were, pootling along having a chinwag. It was only at this point that I realised that Richard had left us to head back for home as he was only out for a short ride today. After Broomers Corner we forked left onto Sincox Lane and then turned left onto the B2139. Just under a mile down this road we came to the junction where Dave Galle was knocked over and severely injured last autumn. It’s very hard to understand how come the van driver didn’t see Dave – the junction is very open with good sightlines in every direction – even a low sun in the southwest would have been partially blocked by a bushy tree, so it really does make you wonder what the driver was thinking!
Taking the next turn on the right we were back onto quieter roads and a short climb and similar descent brought us into West Chiltington and past the lunch stop we’d be using later on. With no cars to slow us down, the sweeping downhill bends of the Hollow were a 30mph pleasure followed by a damp (as usual) Stream Lane across to Nutbourne. A short climb followed by a longer downhill glide and we were heading further west again before turning left onto the A283 for the final mile and a bit to Wiggonholt.
Arriving at the same time as some of our fellow riders from the other member groups, there was a bit of a wait for tea and cake as the café struggled with the influx of customers, but we were soon all tucking in.
As one big group of about 20, we headed off for the Freewheel venue – back the way we’d just come but then taking the left at the West Chiltington crossroads to head up Broadford Bridge Road and past the Golf Club before stopping at the top of Woods Hill. Richard from Arun/Adur got us all organised and outlined the rules and then we were off. One revolution of the pedals to allow people to clip in and then it was all down to gravity, avoiding the wind, using the road camber, balance and how freerunning ones wheels were.
Graham from Arun/Adur won by about ten yards or so from our own JC. Gill from Bognor/Chichester was a further ten yards back in fourth place. In all, 7 rode from Arun/Adur, 8 from Bognor/Chichester and 5 from Horsham/Crawley.
As the lunch pub was back up the hill we’d just freewheeled down and in the opposite direction to home, the Horsham/Crawley contingent decided to SKIP THE PUB LUNCH!!!!
WHAT? Has the world ended? Is everyone ill? This has to be a first!!!!!!
In order to ensure the world would carry on, I (Bob) manfully decided that I would commit myself to a lone ride home and attend the pub to proudly fly the flag for Horsham/Crawley. After all, it was the least I could do – have a beer and some lunch whilst sitting around in the sunshine! So it was back up the hill and then down to the Queens Head in West Chiltington.
For lunch I had a round of sandwiches which came with a small salad and some chips, washed down with a pint of Doom Bar - a beer from Cornwall I believe.
For lunch I had a round of sandwiches which came with a small salad and some chips, washed down with a pint of Doom Bar - a beer from Cornwall I believe.
As I was finishing my meal I looked up to see that Dave Galle had just arrived. His daughter Louise had brought him in the car. Dave managed to walk across the road and into the pub garden unaided. He'd brought his wheelchair with him however as it was easier (and I suspect more comfortable) for him to sit on. Obviously conversation centred on how his recovery was progressing. He seems fairly pleased that he's regaining some strength in his legs now but his arms are giving him problems - he's unable to straighten them and he has no power in his grip. On top of this he has no true sense of touch or feeling below his chest - he gets pins and needles when he touches something and slightly sharper pins and needles both if he touches something hot or something cold! Dave's still got a long journey to make and I for one really appreciated him taking the time to visit us today. I'm hoping he'll come along to the I-Spy next month - I'll have a spare set of route instructions/questions for him and Louise to follow if they want.
It was good sitting in the sun chatting with Dave and everyone but all too soon it was time to head home. I decided to use the reverse of the mornings route down but it was a lot harder going back, not just because I was riding alone but due to the fairly brisk north easterly wind - it was going to be in my face all the way back. As I rode through the junction where Dave had had his accident, I was very wary of the car using the same route as Daves van driver - fortunately for me, the young lady behind the wheel had seen me but I could see how the road layout could tempt drivers to cut the corner slightly so as they wouldn't have to slow down so much - I wonder whether that's what the van driver did?
The wind made it hard work riding all the way up Two Mile Ash Road and I had to pedal most of the way down the Worthing Road into Horsham town centre. I used my usual Horsham to Crawley route along the Forest Road - unfortunately this is mainly uphill all the way to Colgate and I was flagging quite badly by the time I got there. However, I'm pretty good at gritting my teeth (you don't get anywhere unless you put some effort in) and with a determined set to my brow I'd soon made it to Pease Pottage. The freewheel down Pease Pottage hill was severely checked by the wind and I didn't even get over 30 mph but then I was into the shelter of the trees in Tilgate Forest.
The dam holding back the waters of Tilgate lake is about to be repaired/strengthened and in preparation a large swathe of trees have been felled. The lake is going to be drained (temporarily) and I believe there's been a bit of an issue about saving all the fish. On a historic note, I think the proper name of the lake is 'Campbells Lake' and I understand Donald Campbell did some early testing of his Bluebird speed record craft on it. I myself used to go canoeing on it as a teenager (well, kayaking actually).
Using my usual route past the golf clubhouse and emerging into Furnace Green via Laurel Close I passed through a new (as of last December) wooden fencing chicane which required some delicate bike handling skill to negotiate. I've been using this route in and out of Tilgate Forest for many years now (even though the end bit is signposted as a Public Footpath -not Bridleway) as it is the only level way into the Forest (all of which, North of the Motorway, is owned by us through our local Council) from Furnace Green. The erection of the fencing chicane has prompted the local horse riders association to press for the path to be upgraded to be a bridleway. The thing is, I know that it used to be a lane as, back in the very early 1960's, I once travelled it in the back of my Dad's car! We turned into the lane where K2 is now and followed it through the edge of the Forest, past what is now the Golf Club, through what was Furnace Farm then up the hill, over the railway and out onto the Old Three Bridges Road opposite The Plough in Three Bridges. I had heard a rumour that technically the public right of way was never quashed and that one could, theoretically, walk through two houses in exercise of that public right! I suspect though that it was just one of those 'Urban Myth' thingies....
Anyway, thoroughly exhausted I got home at about 16:00hrs with 54 miles under my belt - nowhere near Iron Man Anton's level but a jolly pleasant day out on my bike.
Next weeks ride is a 40 miler, starting from Three Bridges Station at 09:00hrs and led by Richard. He'll take us out to Box Hill National Trust Cafe and back. I reckon we'll be back in Crawley by about 14:00hrs and I suspect Horsham riders will be able to drop off home quite easily on the way back. Let's hope the weather's as nice but with less wind (please).
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Introductory Ride
"Good morning." said the young lady on my left, "Let me introduce myself, my name is Barbara." "Well hello," I said, "I'm Bob, pleased to meet you.
Well that was half of todays event sorted - the introductions. Now, what about the ride?
In spite of me being 10 minutes early and hanging around (with a welcoming smile on my face) for a further 20 minutes, that was it: just Barbara and myself had turned up. Plan B for the route then, no need to use the Worth Way, so we headed off through Three Bridges in a zig-zaggy route to Northgate and then used the westernmost underpass into the Industrial Estate. At the western end of Manor Royal we turned right at the lights - impressively, the lights detected us and changed quite quick. We passed through Langley Green using Martyrs Avenue and the new road layout by the shops before taking Rushetts Road and Stafford Road to emerge on Ifield Avenue near the new Hindu Temple. Ifield Avenue becomes Charlwood Road and we followed it all the way to Charlwood. At this point I realised that I'd forgotten to bring my water bottle - I'd sterilised it and filled it up at home but left it on the breakfast bar! In fact I'd been particularly dopey this morning because I'd forgotten to bring my mobile phone with me as well!
Turning left and then following the road left we headed for Russ Hill. Just before the hill starts, there is a white painted post-windmill on the right - its strange location in the lee of a hill is an indicator that it's not actually from here. It was originally standing in a very open area near Gatwick Airport at Lowfield Heath. Whilst it was there, one could see it getting more and more dilapidated and decrepit. Now it looks nice and shiny but I wonder whether it ever now gets enough wind to turn its sails?
Climbing up Russ Hill there was a fair covering of running water - I'll bet the hill has been the scene of a few accidents this winter. Cresting just before the hotel, the road sweeps in a series of bends down to Partridge Lane. Here we turned left and at the next crest turned left onto Orltons Lane. It seems like this lane has been continuously damp since last summer - I suppose the shade afforded by the trees promotes the damp feel to it. Ignoring the barking from the kennels on our right we took the next left onto The Mount before turning right for a quick blast down Hillybarn Lane. Only a few weeks ago, I was riding a toboggan down this same lane!
At the bottom we turned right and then a few hundred metres later, left, onto the Rusper Road. All the land to the left is under threat of development for more housing - it depresses me that our entire way of life is based on inflation (in this case of population) and that we're building over all the things that make this place a pleasant place to live. Arriving in Ifield, we used Tangmere Road and then the underpass into West Green. From here we went over the Horsham Road level crossing and then used Springfield Road, East Park, Malthouse Road and Brewer Road to get to the traffic lights on Southgate Avenue. Opting for the most direct, if busiest, route we got back to Three Bridges station using Hawth Avenue and then Haslett Avenue to finish the ride at 11:40 having covered a mere 17 miles.
Next weeks ride is the first DA Event of the year - the Freewheel. JC is leading the ride which starts at Horsham Park Pavilion at 09:30hrs.
The intention is to rendezvous with the other member groups at Wiggonholt RSPB centre by 11:00 hrs, then ride to Woods Hill for the Freewheel at 11:30hrs before taking lunch at the Queens Head in West Chiltington. The mileage should be somewhere in the region of 35 miles and (apart from a couple of hills) should be relatively easy. Put your most free-wheeling wheels on and let's have a good turnout - see you there.
Well that was half of todays event sorted - the introductions. Now, what about the ride?
In spite of me being 10 minutes early and hanging around (with a welcoming smile on my face) for a further 20 minutes, that was it: just Barbara and myself had turned up. Plan B for the route then, no need to use the Worth Way, so we headed off through Three Bridges in a zig-zaggy route to Northgate and then used the westernmost underpass into the Industrial Estate. At the western end of Manor Royal we turned right at the lights - impressively, the lights detected us and changed quite quick. We passed through Langley Green using Martyrs Avenue and the new road layout by the shops before taking Rushetts Road and Stafford Road to emerge on Ifield Avenue near the new Hindu Temple. Ifield Avenue becomes Charlwood Road and we followed it all the way to Charlwood. At this point I realised that I'd forgotten to bring my water bottle - I'd sterilised it and filled it up at home but left it on the breakfast bar! In fact I'd been particularly dopey this morning because I'd forgotten to bring my mobile phone with me as well!
Turning left and then following the road left we headed for Russ Hill. Just before the hill starts, there is a white painted post-windmill on the right - its strange location in the lee of a hill is an indicator that it's not actually from here. It was originally standing in a very open area near Gatwick Airport at Lowfield Heath. Whilst it was there, one could see it getting more and more dilapidated and decrepit. Now it looks nice and shiny but I wonder whether it ever now gets enough wind to turn its sails?
Climbing up Russ Hill there was a fair covering of running water - I'll bet the hill has been the scene of a few accidents this winter. Cresting just before the hotel, the road sweeps in a series of bends down to Partridge Lane. Here we turned left and at the next crest turned left onto Orltons Lane. It seems like this lane has been continuously damp since last summer - I suppose the shade afforded by the trees promotes the damp feel to it. Ignoring the barking from the kennels on our right we took the next left onto The Mount before turning right for a quick blast down Hillybarn Lane. Only a few weeks ago, I was riding a toboggan down this same lane!
At the bottom we turned right and then a few hundred metres later, left, onto the Rusper Road. All the land to the left is under threat of development for more housing - it depresses me that our entire way of life is based on inflation (in this case of population) and that we're building over all the things that make this place a pleasant place to live. Arriving in Ifield, we used Tangmere Road and then the underpass into West Green. From here we went over the Horsham Road level crossing and then used Springfield Road, East Park, Malthouse Road and Brewer Road to get to the traffic lights on Southgate Avenue. Opting for the most direct, if busiest, route we got back to Three Bridges station using Hawth Avenue and then Haslett Avenue to finish the ride at 11:40 having covered a mere 17 miles.
Next weeks ride is the first DA Event of the year - the Freewheel. JC is leading the ride which starts at Horsham Park Pavilion at 09:30hrs.
The intention is to rendezvous with the other member groups at Wiggonholt RSPB centre by 11:00 hrs, then ride to Woods Hill for the Freewheel at 11:30hrs before taking lunch at the Queens Head in West Chiltington. The mileage should be somewhere in the region of 35 miles and (apart from a couple of hills) should be relatively easy. Put your most free-wheeling wheels on and let's have a good turnout - see you there.
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