Today’s ride was scheduled to start at Three Bridges Station but, due to ‘Track Improvements’ a dual start was decided upon; 6:00 in Horsham and 7:00 in Crawley.
6:00 in Horsham to be met by Norman.
7:00 in Crawley to be met by Bob, Pete S and Jeet.
Off we headed through Crawley up to Pease Pottage via K2. The route was then down Grouse Road, right onto Hammerponds towards Horsham. Left in Doomsday Green took us over the A281 and past Sedgwick House. It was soon after here Jeet had his first puncture. Having done a good job, see later, we headed off again through Copsale, Maplehurst and over the A272. After the A272 we went through Partridge Green turning left onto the B2116 and joined the A281 at Shermanbury heading south. After a mile we turned left to rejoin B2116 just north of Henfield. Left again took us through Wineham and then right onto Bob Lane, through Twineham and a break at the Little Chef.
After refreshments Jeet noticed he had had another puncture, this turned out to be a missed flint from the first puncture. Having done another good job, see later, we started our northerly leg, into the wind. Just after crossing the A272 Norman said he was going home as he was not feeling well, after some discussion about the best route home we headed up towards the B2115 near Slough Green where Norman could leave us. Approaching this junction Bob said ‘Here comes a Scooby’, meaning a Subaru. All I saw was a Ford, as did Pete. Jeet saw a Subaru. This was then to become a topic for the day, seeing Ford Impreza’s and Subaru Mondeo’s quite regularly. Having said goodbye to Norman we headed east towards Cuckfield where I nearly came a cropper, looking at some balloons with skull and crossbones on I did not see a stone which I promptly hit and only just managed to stay on my bike. Bob thought it may have been a golf ball, the same one that caused Frank to come off on a previous ride. Right and left in Cuckfield we headed past Borde Hill Gardens where Jeet had another puncture, this turned out to be a leak from the previous patch.
6:00 in Horsham to be met by Norman.
7:00 in Crawley to be met by Bob, Pete S and Jeet.
Off we headed through Crawley up to Pease Pottage via K2. The route was then down Grouse Road, right onto Hammerponds towards Horsham. Left in Doomsday Green took us over the A281 and past Sedgwick House. It was soon after here Jeet had his first puncture. Having done a good job, see later, we headed off again through Copsale, Maplehurst and over the A272. After the A272 we went through Partridge Green turning left onto the B2116 and joined the A281 at Shermanbury heading south. After a mile we turned left to rejoin B2116 just north of Henfield. Left again took us through Wineham and then right onto Bob Lane, through Twineham and a break at the Little Chef.
After refreshments Jeet noticed he had had another puncture, this turned out to be a missed flint from the first puncture. Having done another good job, see later, we started our northerly leg, into the wind. Just after crossing the A272 Norman said he was going home as he was not feeling well, after some discussion about the best route home we headed up towards the B2115 near Slough Green where Norman could leave us. Approaching this junction Bob said ‘Here comes a Scooby’, meaning a Subaru. All I saw was a Ford, as did Pete. Jeet saw a Subaru. This was then to become a topic for the day, seeing Ford Impreza’s and Subaru Mondeo’s quite regularly. Having said goodbye to Norman we headed east towards Cuckfield where I nearly came a cropper, looking at some balloons with skull and crossbones on I did not see a stone which I promptly hit and only just managed to stay on my bike. Bob thought it may have been a golf ball, the same one that caused Frank to come off on a previous ride. Right and left in Cuckfield we headed past Borde Hill Gardens where Jeet had another puncture, this turned out to be a leak from the previous patch.
Heading off again we aimed for Ardingly, en-route we were passed by a lady on a scooter and yes her bum did look big on it. Later she passed us coming in the other direction and yes she was equally as big up front! (Is this politically correct? Ed.) We turned left in Ardingly, went over the reservoir and then right towards the Flying Saucer (Worth Abbey). It was tops off for me here as it was boil in the bag time. Turning right we headed towards Turners Hill though we turned left just beforehand to head towards Crawley and our lunch stop. Pete and Bob led us at this point as local knowledge helped us avoided traffic lights near Three Bridges station. Lunch was at Costa Coffee in Tescos. Anton made an appearance here and joined us for lunch; he had been on a ride in Kent. We were expecting Barbara but it was a no-show.
Having been fed and watered we headed north, again into the wind. Irons Bottom (a place, not a result of too many miles in the saddle) came and went and we headed for Leigh then on towards Betchworth. Just before there we turned west into the wind towards Stroud Green. Turning left here, we headed south and hoped for some wind assisted cycling. HA! Bob asked the route here and I said straight on until the next T-junction so off he went in pursuit of a young lady cyclist. Unfortunately I had forgotten a right turn, as I had done while working out the route. So we were off course and had to make some adjustments. This was fairly easy as the roads we were on are used on our regular rides. So we headed for Parkgate then Newdigate where we rejoined the route. This was actually shorter but avoided a single arrowed hill. In Newdigate we turned right by ‘Bob’s Store’, heading for Capel and our afternoon stop. As we arrived at Capel Bob swallowed a fly (perhaps he’ll die) and spent most of the break with a tickle in his throat. Tea was as good as ever - 90p for a slice of cake and a cup of tea.
The last leg, or legs. Through Capel, over the A24 and towards Ockley station. Then the next few miles were on Weare Street, a lovely steady downhill for the most. Crossing over the A29 I swear I saw a Subaru Golf. Passing though Okewoodhill there was a cricket match on with a warning to parked cars that they parked there at their own risk. Having passed safely, we headed towards Rookwood where I think we hit our top speed; Pete said he got to just less than 32mph. We crossed the A29 again and onto the A281 to go towards Broadbridge Heath. Turning left after a mile we headed through Warnham. Up Knob Hill here! We then headed south towards Broadbridge Heath, then east along Robin Hood Lane, over the golf course and on to The Forresters pub in Horsham for a break. I checked on Norman here to check he had got home ok, he had. Having quenched our thirst we headed off, I headed home, having done my bit, and the others headed off along Hammerponds.
Bob rang me later to say that he, Jeet and Pete had got back ok. He had done 94 miles, allowing for inflation and the erosion of his differentials we rounded this up to 100. Jeet meanwhile was cycling around Crawley to get up to his 100. Pete I assumed was asleep watching the Turkish Grand Prix. After Bob rang I thought I would have an early night but remembered I had not eaten so had to stay up until 8:00pm! Apple crumble then steak and mash in that order.
Vital statistics:
Cycle computer;
Distance Time moving Average Maximum
99.25 8:24 11.8 32.2
GPS;
Distance Time moving Average Maximum Elapsed time
99.4 8:56 11.1 32.9 12:47
Elevation (ft)
Minimum Maximum Ascent
16 620 8,713
TQ236190 TQ339354
Bob rang me later to say that he, Jeet and Pete had got back ok. He had done 94 miles, allowing for inflation and the erosion of his differentials we rounded this up to 100. Jeet meanwhile was cycling around Crawley to get up to his 100. Pete I assumed was asleep watching the Turkish Grand Prix. After Bob rang I thought I would have an early night but remembered I had not eaten so had to stay up until 8:00pm! Apple crumble then steak and mash in that order.
Vital statistics:
Cycle computer;
Distance Time moving Average Maximum
99.25 8:24 11.8 32.2
GPS;
Distance Time moving Average Maximum Elapsed time
99.4 8:56 11.1 32.9 12:47
Elevation (ft)
Minimum Maximum Ascent
16 620 8,713
TQ236190 TQ339354
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