We were pleased to welcome about thirty cyclists to Oriel school for registration at 10.00. The assembled multitudes (!) included five children through to retired people and bikes of all shapes and sizes including three with Rann trailers. Sustrans had done the majority of the organisation and had arranged two experts from Brighton to help with any bike maintenance issues, while CTC provided the route and lead the ride. We rode in a large group under the railway bridge at Oriel in to Furnace Green, along Ashdown drive through Tilgate and then turned left along York road and Winchester road to reach K2 via the cyclepath. And what an impressive group we made!
To some of us Crawley veterans it was pleasing, as well, to hear people remarking that they didn’t know that you can get in to K2 from the ‘back’ and how easy it is to get there by bike. Through K2 we went under the subway at Thomas Bennett roundabout to enter Broadfield and then climb two short hills to the top of Tollgate hill where we had to walk a few metres to the A264 and use the at grade crossing to reach Brighton road north, taking great care with the traffic. It was most impressive how everyone managed to ride uphill at a very respectable rate. Quickly through Pease Pottage we reached the bridge over the A23 where we crossed to the east side and followed the old A23 to Handcross and then Nymans gardens. The National Trust had kindly offered two for one entry to our party and a free drink in their café. Many people went in to Nymans while others relaxed outside with a drink and some very nice cake (in some cases, I think, cakes!). Everyone was impressed at how easily they had done the 6.47 miles from Oriel to Nymans.
At 13.15 Chris Boocock, our energetic Sustrans organiser, took the official group photograph outside the National Trust and then we were off again, retracing our steps back to Pease Pottage, carefully down Tollgate Hill to K2 and then through Tilgate.
Up to this point the weather had been pleasantly warm, although slightly overcast with an ominous few drops of rain, but as we all reached St Leonards Drive the heavens opened and it started to bucket down with rain. Fortunately it was a short sprint back to Oriel school and shelter in the foyer where we enjoyed (non-alcoholic) drinks courtesy of CBC. All agreed that the ride had been very enjoyable, ably marshalled by Bob (who seemed to be everywhere all at one time – how do you do that Bob?) and Anton as back marker with his 100kw human powered headlight on his new lightweight bike. Everyone had enjoyed a pleasant 14 mile ride to a local attraction and had the pleasure of meeting other, like-minded people in the process on what turned out to be a very pleasant and sociable event.
Many thanks to all who attended – we hope to see you all again on future rides – and to all the helpers including Barbara, Gordon, Tricia and Marian – for making this a fun day out. Now next year we’re going to have to try to beat this……..
Peter
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By contrast, our next ride is an 'awayday' type of ride. Make your own way up to London and rendezvous on the Northwest side of Tower Bridge at 10:00hrs on Sunday 13th June. John H shlould meet us there and guide us through East London to pick up the Lea Valley Path. This will take us past the Olympic Park and north alongside various canals and the River Lea, all the way to Ware in Hertfordshire. John assures me this is an easy 26 miles. We'll have lunch there - pub or pizzas at Johns place - before retracing our route (train option from Ware to Liverpool Street if required) and catching the train home from either London Bridge or Victoria.
Please let me know if you will be doing this ride by friday evening. Bob.
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