The Limeburners Arms, Newbridge

Being a Bank Holiday weekend, I was not expecting that many (if any) riders to be on this ride. However, shortly after arriving at the start in Horsham I was joined by Mick and Norman. Leaving the Horsham Pavilions the route went pass the railway station, along North Street to Park Street, before turning left at the traffic lights (TL) onto Parkway, shortly followed by another left at the next TL onto East Street. Continuing along this road looking for the 9th right turn, its name changes from East Street to Queens Street before finally being coming Brighton Road. The 9th right is onto Kerves Lane and leads to the first real climb of the day. Just before starting this climb I notice a sign for Hards Hill farm, and according to Google maps, Kerves Lane becomes Hards Hill, before resuming its original name of Kerves Lane!
At the end of Kerves Lane we turned right at the grass triangle onto Colstaple Lane, before it becomes Southwater Street. The route leads to a T junction in Southwater and the Worthing Road that passes through the village. Here we turned left and continued through Southwater before turning right onto Shipley Road (this turning is on a LH bend with a filter lane and near a bus shelter).
Continuing along Shipley Road we soon arrived at the staggered cross road over the A272 and headed towards Shipley. Passing a brown sign for Shipley Windmill, Mick commented about the fact it will soon no longer be needed. This lead to a discussion about its future preservation, and whether it was listed - we assumed it was.
It was also during this stretch of the route that Mick suggested I slowed down. L Having done a number of Audax rides this year I realised I’d been setting a faster pace than normally expected, so resumed my normal position on club ride and lead from the back.
Keeping left at the next grass triangle we continued on Swallows Lane and into Dial Post, before crossing the A24 near the Old Barn Nurseries. The lack of traffic made for a quick crossing and no hanging around for a gap to appear.
Continuing along Grinders Lane, towards Ashurst, we came across another cyclist searching along the verge. He’d been coming at speed from the other direction and had lost his cycle computer. We continued, and kept an eye out for it.
Just before arriving in Ashurst there is a left turn going past the church, and which eventually joins the B2135. I had considered adding this extra loop, but decided against it. Maybe next time!
In Ashurst we stopped for a quick drink/snack and Mick reminded us that he would be leading a ride to The Fountain near Xmas (Sunday 12th Dec 2010 @ 10:00 HPP). Turning right onto the B2135 we were soon heading downhill, before taking the first right onto Spithandle Lane.
Just before the end of Spithandle Lane we noticed what appeared to be a recently renovated stone plinth. It was triangular in shape, with a figure of Queen Victoria and a tap on the side.

The route continued along Hole Street and into Ashington. To add the extra miles required of this route, I decided that a loop via West Chilltington was needed, so taking a left turn onto Rectory Lane; we were soon climbing the hill towards Warminghurst Church. At least there is a nice downhill from – pity about the uphill kick at the end on the outskirts of Storrington. Turning right at the T junction, then an immediate right onto Merrywood Lane, we were soon heading towards West Chilltington, once across the staggered crossroads with the B2139.
My original route was to go through West Chilltington, but decided that the long climb along Roundabout Lane, leading to Smock Alley would be better. A left at the end of Smock Alley followed by a right at the cross roads saw us soon passing the Golf Course.
Following a freewheel attempt down the hill, we soon arrived (well not that soon since trying to stay upright on a very slow moving bike) , at B2133 and headed left towards Aversane. Once across the busy A24 it was a short ride to our lunchtime stop, but arriving 15mins too early.
With rain forecast after lunch, it was agreed that a more direct route back to Horsham would be followed, and not my more indirect one.
Leaving the pub, we turned left onto the A272, before taking the first right onto Rowner Road. This we followed to the Haven pub, before turning right into The Haven. Turning right again, we headed towards the junction of the A29, before turning left and then the first right towards Slinfold. After Slinfold, it was a short ride to Broadbridge Heath, and the back way into Horsham via the golf course.

NCN21 - Greenwich to Crawley

In order to keep our regular schedule going, we have to plan our organised rides several months in advance. So I had scheduled the NCN21 ride some time ago and well before when I arranged to stay with my daughter and partner, and occasional CTC Riders, Kendra and Chris, in Canary Wharf on Saturday night. This meant that I had to get up early on Sunday and ride across London to Victoria to start the ride that would have its first stop back where I had first started! But this did give me the chance to try out one of the first ‘Cycle Super Highways’ from Canary Wharf to the Tower of London. I didn’t want to go to the Tower of London – that is where the route terminated, rather abruptly. Apart from that it was fine.

The next mistake I made was not to publish a meeting point at Victoria. So I met Anton at Victoria station at 8.35 by WH Smiths. We had a pleasant coffee and then set off at 9.05 thinking that no one else was joining in Victoria. But Norman and Richard had, unbeknownst (is that a word!?) to us, been lurking down near the Southern arrival gates, subsequently to leave at 9.10, separately. Anton and I had a pleasant ride south of the river, mostly following the NCR4. This is the fourth time that I have led this ride and I think that this is also the fourth version of the route from Victoria to Greenwich – some parts seem to remain constant, but in some others the signs run out. But overall an interesting route through the old docklands. At Greenwich we became quorate when we joined Bob, who had ridden directly from London Bridge, and Norman and Richard, who had taken a more direct route from Victoria, giving a total of five riders. The forecast was for rain all day, which undoubtedly had put some people off and John and John were away touring with some CTC friends.

We left at 10.20 in fine weather and made good time. The route seemed to work better this time and we reached Croydon very quickly. Bob had researched the route in this area, where we got somewhat disoriented last year (ok, lost) and lead us with conviction the correct way, although there was not a sign to be seen. [Aside: Where would we be without Bob!????] And Richard’s GPS helpfully informed us if we strayed from the one true Sustrans path. Although we have ridden this route several times now it is always surprising how much green we pass through, without apparently passing through the city to arrive, suddenly, in the countryside.

So the White Bear at Fickleshole (http://www.bigginhill.co.uk/bear.htm) appeared at 12.15 – a bit late for 12.00 but earlier than usual; this was a bunch of hard (er) riders! We had our lunch sitting outside but, as we got ready to leave it started to drizzle lightly. We exchanged a few words with Neil Morrissey (Men behaving badly) and his two friends as we prepared the bikes to leave – they seemed very impressed by our journey and suggested that we would need to consume another seven pints if we were to get back to Crawley on schedule (based on our distance so far and consumption so far).

The NCN21 after Fickleshole seems to become mainly off-road tracks. After the rain in the last few days these tracks regretfully became a little too much for the clearances on Anton’s new bike and so he headed off on the road at Warlingham, while we rode serenely through the grounds of the public school there (why are they called ‘public’ when they are anything but that?!). The rain got a bit more serious for a while, but eventually lost interest. I think that this is the first time that we have had anything but hot sunny weather and it gave our off-road aficionados the chance to prove that their mudguards were either a) absent or b) inadequate and cover themselves in mud! They managed to do this quite successfully.



Richard easily won the ascent of the single chevroned hill north of the A22 before we arrived at the glorious view from Caterham hill. It was a bit murky on Sunday, but it still feels great to get there. We were back on to familiar territory as we descended down towards Redhill and the route was then flat to Crawley. Norman caught the train in Horley to return to Horsham (good to have a Horsham contingent) and we arrived home in Crawley at about 16.30 after 54 miles (Victoria to Crawley) or 45 miles (Greenwich to Crawley). Average speed a little under 10 mph – mainly due to quite a bit of off-road and one or two quite stiff climbs. Oh, and one puncture which Bob fixed very quickly.

This really is an interesting and fun route, with lots of interesting and unexpected nuances – you would be most welcome to join us next time. Thank you to everyone that made it this year – I think that we all enjoyed it.

Peter S

Bob adds:

my wife took this picture of my two tone legs - ahhh, the joys of riding offroad in the wet!!

Next weeks ride will be led by Anton. Starting from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 09:00 hrs it will be a medium rated 50 miler with lunch at the Limeburners Arms, Newbridge.

If you'd like a ride on Bank Holiday Monday (30th August), Mick will be leading a ride from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 10:00 hrs out to The Sussex Oak at Warnham which is having a beer festival. Mick says this will be a 30 mile medium ride and I'm guessing most of those will be done before the pub!

Onslow Arms, Loxwood

Distance: 50 miles - medium
Leader: Mick

Today’s weather forecast was for sunny intervals so I slapped on the sun-block and donned a waterproof. You cannot be too careful!

Barbara was the first to turn up, followed by Bob, Norman and a tired Anton. Anton had done a 300k Audax the previous day and only arrived home at 2:00am.

We set off soon after 9:00am and headed over the golf course onto Robin Hood Lane where it was tops off. It appears the forecast may be correct. Along the lane we had our first encounter with the Horsham Cycling clones, all in the same tops and similar bikes. We, on the other hand, had a true mixture of blues, reds and black. Our bikes were a tourer, an Audax, a hybrid and two mountain bikes.

Our route took us through Rowhook and Cox Green and then onto Baynards where we saw Horsham Cycling again. We headed off up the downs link, mainly to help getting on to the link in Cranleigh. The two mountain bikers enjoyed this. We then headed over the A281 for a short rest in Dunsfold as we were running early:

After this short break we headed off to the lunch stop, aiming to get there early to look at the canal. While Bob and Norman headed off to explore the towpath Anton decided he needed a rest;

Caption Competition

Bob and Norman returned just in time for the Pub to open late. Barbara very kindly bought Bob, Anton and myself a drink. During lunch we saw Horsham Cycling again and then John C turned up, soon to be followed by John V.

After lunch Bob and Norman headed off along the towpath to meet us at the end of Drungewick Lane. After a short delay, I had expected them to arrive before us, we carried on past the Mucky Duck and the Fox, crossing over the A281 into Rudgwick. We retraced our morning route slightly towards Cox Green. Anton turned off here towards Rowhook and home for a well earned rest.

Capel beckoned but we were a little early so we paused at the duck pond on Weary Street. Rested, we headed for Capel and arrived spot on 15:00 after saying goodbye to Barbara. The cakes and tea were as good as usual.

So it was off home; Bob and the two Johns headed off through Rusper to Crawley and Norman and I returned via Friday Street to Horsham.

Vital statistics:

Cycle computer;
Distance Time moving Average Maximum

42.98 3:47 11.3 mph 30.8 mph


GPS;
Distance Time moving Average Maximum Elapsed
44.3 3:57 11.2 mph 40.3 mph 7:06

Elevation (ft):
Minimum Maximum Ascent
19 436 4,232


Our next ride is a bit of an adventure - meet up with Pete S at Victoria Station at 09:00 hrs or at the western side of The Cutty Sark at 10:15 for a ride down NCN21 from Greenwich to Crawley. This 60 mile ride is almost all on quiet roads and cycle tracks and lunch will be taken at a pub in the North Downs.

The Ashdowner

Half past nine on a Sunday morning, weather warm but overcast, three people meet outside Three Bridges Station: Norman, Barbara and Bob. Idly chatting about this and that, they wait around for 10 minutes or so but no-one else turns up. In a reversal of a previously noted feature of our rides, we have a Crawley start which has a majority of riders from Horsham! Today’s ride would just be a morning ride of approximately 30 miles but with the probability of a few hills to climb and right away we were onto the first as we headed east along Worth Road and then onto the Turners Hill Road. The first mile of this road is more or less level but then it starts its inexorable rise to a summit by the church. Norman either enjoyed the climb or was just plain ecstatic on reaching the crest!!



Worryingly, when we reached the crossroads a sign indicated that the road to West Hoathly was closed – we needed to travel about 100 yards on that road! After a few moments thought I decided to chance it and so we headed down and then up the short sharp climb out of the village, past what was the Punchbowl Inn but what is now an Indian restaurant called Tarana. At Selsfield Common there were more “Road Closed” notices as we took the left fork – this was the 100 yards of road I was talking about – but the road wasn’t actually blocked until immediately after Vowels Lane and Vowels Lane was what we wanted.



This lane is nice and quiet and after the first 100 yards is all down hill! Towards the bottom it goes past the current most northerly station on the Bluebell Railway, Kingscote. Here there were a couple of vintage single decker buses parked up, so I had to stop and take a picture:



What I think was a Battle of Britain class express locomotive was just visible through the trees (Tangmere?) but I couldn’t get a decent photo of it – I hung around just the other side of the bridge in the hope of a shot but no luck. At the next junction we carried on eastwards and up another gradual climb before turning right onto Saint Hill Road. As we stopped for a breather, Norman recognised a friend who had just parked at the same spot. Chatting to him we found out that the Bluebell was having a “Gala” weekend – this means there would be loads of engines in steam and they’d be running past Kingscote and up as far as the current end of the line, just short of the Imberhorne Lane bridge. We also found out that Tornado (the brand new steam locomotive that Jeremy Clakson got dirty in last year) was supposed to have been in steam at the Bluebell as well (it would need to have been transported on a lowloader to the middle of Sussex) but, due to a mechanical problem wasn’t available – shame. By coincidence I was wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Tornado on it!

From, here we went down to Saint Hill Green and then enjoyed the rapid descent to the tail of Weirwood reservoir. Here we turned left onto Legsheath Lane which, after an easy start turns into a stiffish climb up into Ashdown Forest. At the crossroad we could see more signs detailing the road closure at West Hoathly (and we could also see the confusion it was causing motorists and motorcyclists).



After the crossroads we took Twyford Lane on the right. This is another pretty lane that always gives an enjoyable ride (north to south it’s downhill) and I thought I’d illustrate this by filming it on my camera. So, there I am, riding one-handed trying to keep the camera steady and level with my right hand and feathering the rear brake with my left hand. Just as my rear brake was starting to make some grumbling sounds I spotted two horses (with riders) coming up the hill in front of me so pulled harder on the rear brake – b*gger! - it locked up so I desperately abandoned my film-making and grabbed a big handful of front brake. That did the trick and I’d managed to regain control without spooking the horses. Note to self: don’t ride downhill in excess of 30 mph single-handed, holding a camera. Looking at the video later it looks like I’m having a crash! At the bottom the road goes through a ford but it was less than an inch deep today. After a double-back sort of junction we crossed a second ford (equally shallow – mind you, it is the same river). And then the short but sharp (I used granny) hill up to Hurstwood Lane. This goes close to Hurstwood Manor where (I believe) Carla Lane of Butterflies fame lives. Chilling Street followed. This is a ridgetop lane with good views of the next ridge with the spire of Highbrook Church featuring prominently. At this point we joined another road for a few hundred yards before turning right to pass the entrance to Horsted Keynes station. The presence of loads of cars on the verges testified to the fact the Gala weekend was on. I was hoping a train would swim into view as we rolled down the lane but my hopes were thwarted. Just to keep us on our toes there’s another short climb here and then, when we reached Hammingden Lane. I stopped and gave my compatriots a choice: we could either turn right and climb up the ridge to go through Highbrook and on to West Hoathly before using Hook Lane and Cob Lane to get to Ardingly (4 miles, two very steep climbs) or we could turn left to Ardingly (1/2 a mile, one small sharp climb). No contest – the risk of having to look at more “Road Closed” and “Diversion” signs at West Hoathly made left the obvious choice!

Once we reached Ardingly we headed west to go past St Peters Church:



From here the road goes steeply downhill to cross the eastern arm of Ardingly reservoir before a steep climb up the other side. Halfway up my chain managed to shift past the big rear cog and jam between the cogs and the spokes! I’d been concerned about the odd noise that had been developing from my rear wheel during the day and this just seemed to confirm something wasn’t right – I suspected a loose cassette and once I’d got the chain back in place, determined to nurse it back home. Fortunately, once we’d conquered West Hill there was just the gradual ascent of Paddockhurst Lane and Back Lane up to Worth Abbey. After here we forked right onto the bridleway at Whitely Hill to cut across to the B2036 Balcombe Road. Here we said goodbye to Norman as he carried on using the bridleway which would take him through the forest and then onto Parish Lane and Pease Pottage for the shortest route back to Horsham. Meanwhile Barabara and I headed north across the M23 and then threaded a quiet route through Maidenbower to finally arrive at Three Bridges Station just before 13:00hrs – exactly as promised!

Next weeks ride starts from Horsham Park Pavilions at 09:00hrs. Mick is leading us on what will be a very pleasant 50 mile route with lunch at the Onslow Arms, Loxwood and an afternoon tea stop at Capel. This will be an absolute corker of a ride if the weather is nice and sunny. I look forward to seeing you all.

DA Picnic - Wisborough Green

After watching a number of TV programmes about bikes and cycling during the week, it was good to get out on my own machine. Just a few hundred yards after I'd started, another cyclist joined the road in front of me. Mounted on a fast road machine and wearing a "Crawley Triathlon" shirt, the other rider looked like he would be faster than me but within fifty yards or so I realised I'd have to overtake him to stay at the pace I needed. As I went past I said good morning and moaned about the wind (natures, not mine). Half a mile later I realised the crafty fellow had latched into my slipstream and was getting a free ride! Hmmmm. What to do? I didn't want to up the pace as I was riding as fast as I wanted, similarly I didn't want to slow down because I was riding as fast as I needed…. I decided to change my route and rather than use the main road to Horsham, I'd use the Forest Road. First thing to do was head for K2 Leisure Centre - I turned left - he only followed me! He was still close on my tail as I took the next right but then I finally managed to lose him - being on a mountain bike, I'm quite happy jumping up and down kerbs and by jumping onto the cycle track to K2 I gained a good 25 yards (during which I put in a short burst of extra speed to completely shake him off).

From K2 it was up Pease Pottage Hill and an encouraging wave from a pedestrian as I neared the top. The traverse of the roundabout was quietly safe and amazingly there was no queue for the car boot sale as I passed the Services. The road through the village has been resurfaced (top-dressed with tar and stones) disguising some of the potholes near the drains. As I passed the entrance to Cottesmore School I indulged in my usual game of trying to sing a steady note whilst going over the ridged yellow lines designed to slow traffic down (not so much rumble strips as yodelling strips?). My singing practice was neatly bracketed by two groups of Horsham Cycling Club riders resplendent in their club uniform and (I fancy) all riding identical bikes. In my mind I was contrasting them with our club uniform of non-uniformity - in apparel, machinery and probably everything else (except our enjoyment of cycling around these parts).
Passing through Colgate there was the usual depressing sight of The Dragon still closed for business - I found myself wondering how much money Hall & Woodhouse made from flogging off/closing so many of the old King & Barnes pubs? Incidentally, what came first - Colgate the village or Colgate the toothpaste?

When riding Forest Road I'm in the habit of putting my rear light on in flash mode and it seemed particularly effective this time as every passing car gave me a lovely wide berth. It's also mainly downhill from Colgate to Horsham so I was rattling along at a good pace - I can't say how fast though because my speedo was covered up by some copies of the Pedaller I had clipped in my map holder.

On arrival at the Pavilions in the Park I was met by Barbara, the ride leader, and Anton. We waited around for a short while but nobody else materialised so Barbara lead us off north out of Horsham and up Langhurstwood Road. The tip was a bit smelly but we were soon past it and onto Friday Street which eventually climbs up to Muggeridge's Hill where we had a short breather before heading on towards Capel. Here we joined the A24 for a few hundred yards before heading further west and then turning south onto Weare Street. There's a no-through road on the right called Vann Lake Road - in aerial views it looks like it might go through to Friday Street in Ockley, I wonder if anyone reading this blog has ever ridden it?

We continued on over the A29 and past The Punchbowl at Okewoodhill before heading south then west to Ellens Green. This was followed by Cox Green and Baynards before going down Cooks Hill, across the A281 and on to The Mucky Duck. Here we turned right onto the Loxwood Road before taking another pretty road, Drungewick Lane, on the left. There's a large house off this lane that I think is owned by some rock star or other - I've no idea who. At the end we turned left and then, a few hundred yards later, right and onto Durbans Road which took us all the way to Wisborough Green. Arriving pretty much bang on time at 12:05, we were surprised to be the first ones there but within a couple of minutes the Bognor and Chichester crew arrived followed some 15 minutes later by the Arun and Adur posse.

We all sat down in the shade of a tree and enjoyed our picnic lunches (washed down with beer/cider by the Horsham and Crawley members). We had interesting conversations on a number of topics but were especially pleased to welcome Dave Galle, admirably aided by his daughter Louise and a couple of their terrier dogs. Dave continues to make progress but feels his recovery has been slowed down a little by some new medication he's been given that has some unfortunate side effects (unfortunately for us, Dave gave us some hints about the side effects!). It looks like it'll be a while before Dave gets back on his bike as his left arm still won't straighten out. Dave also mentioned that the driver had changed his plea to guilty and had ended up being fined a few hundred pounds and having 6 points on his licence. It doesn't seem right - in three years time his licence will be clean again and he'll have forgotten about the money but Dave will probably still not be back to the level he was immediately before being mown down! Mr Van Driver will be free to nobble another one of us and won't have had to undergo any driver training or such - we'd better watch out!

Anyway, it was time to move on and, typically, this was the time I found I'd got a puncture! I quickly swapped to a new inner tube and weathered the minor criticisms of the state of my tyres - yes, they are old, yes, they have seen better days, yes, they do have a lot of nicks and cuts in them. This was offset by the help I received from the same people checking for glass or thorns and pumping my tyre up for me - thanks lads.

The other groups headed off to the south whilst we headed east along Newpound Lane. I briefly popped into Fishers Farm Park to deliver their copy of The Pedaller and then continued past The Bat and Ball before turning right onto the B2133. At the end we turned left and crossed over the canal and the River Arun before heading north up Rowner Road. Barbara and I waited at the junction with Okehurst Lane whilst someone 'watered' a roadside tree, before heading across to the A29 and then on to New Road. We were soon at Barns Green and heading north on Two Mile Ash Road, however, when we got to where it crosses the Downs Link, I left Barbara and Anton to continue on to Horsham because I was heading to Southwater. There I delivered another copy of The Pedaller to Southwater Cycles before I too headed for Horsham.

I was half expecting to catch up with the other two somewhere near The Boars Head (it looks like it's reopened after a refurbishment) but didn't see them, so I made my own way through the centre of Horsham and onwards to an uneventful ride back along the Forest Road to Pease Pottage. I couldn't use my usual route through Tilgate Park as the path along the dam is closed whilst they rebuild it into a much more substantial structure, but I was soon home and knocking back a pint of milk.

Next weeks ride is a morning ride starting from Three Bridges Station at 09:30 hrs and is called The Ashdowner - it will be up to 30 miles long and involve a few hills but should finish back at the station by 13:00hrs at the latest.