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.