Brighton (and back)

We had a fairly strong and slightly chilly south westerly wind as we headed south from Three Bridges. But once the six of us had reached Turners Hill the route was predominantly downhill to Ditchling, and so the wind did not worry us too much. Of course the climb of the Beacon went at a fairly slow pace, in fact a speed where the wind’s effects were negligible and so it was only as we headed across the top of the Downs after reaching the summit of the Beacon that we really noticed how strong it was, having to work a little harder than is usual for this stretch. But we had been fortified by tea-cakes and a variety of cakes in the excellent and friendly Café at Ditchling first, so we all had plenty of energy. We bid goodbye to John C at Ditchling as he had to return home (after the tea-cake!). Nonetheless, some had to commence replenishment at the top of the Beacon, however, by starting on ice creams!

It was a lovely day to be on the Downs with good views and we could see the new stadium at Falmer for the first time – it seems quite large but is hidden relatively unobtrusively quite low down.
Once across the Downs we swooped down to the pier via Fiveways and certain parties did their best to get the speed camera to go off! No prizes for guessing who. A very pleasant lunch was had at the Brighton smoke house by the beach; some even found a place to buy a beer to go with it, while I had orange juice (what was wrong with me?!).

One rider decided to return via train – a very efficient 25 minutes to Three Bridges and a few minutes longer to Horsham – a morning ride for lunch at the sea-side of only 30 miles, in good weather and good company – how good is that! (It doesn’t get much better than that????)
The remaining four set off westwards along the front towards Hove and then followed NCR82 north towards the top of the Downs by the golf club at Devils Dyke. This is quite a steady climb in parts, following the line of the old railway to the Dyke, but the views of sea and Downs are good. The route at the beginning has been improved as part of the ‘Brighton Cycling Town’ activity – we are planning to see if we can make Crawley a ‘Cycling Town’; hopefully this will accrue similar benefits for us if we can achieve it.

On reaching the Golf Club we headed downhill stopping only to enjoy the exceptional views over Devils Dyke, Fulking and the Sussex weald, and then via Newtimber to reach the NCR20 alongside the A23. This is mostly a great route as it follows the old A23 – this is a little wide for a cycle route (!), but has good surfaces – although it deteriorates a little during the sections where you actually ride alongside the (M)A23. And, of course, there is a fair amount of climbing to reach Staplefield/Handcross. But we arrived at the Victory, Staplefield for 15.45 and had glass of Doom Bar, before Norman headed back to Horsham via the hammer ponds and the remaining three Crawley people slogged up to Handcross and then home.
A nice day – we left Three Bridges at 09.00 and arrived back at 16.30 having completed 56 miles. We hope that you will consider joining us next time.



Note: we have scheduled two morning rides starting at Three Bridges at 10.00 designed specially for novice/beginner/uncertain (!) riders. These are configured for people who are not used to riding any distance and/or are worried about their speed or level of fitness, and so will be relatively short and easy. The route will be decided on the day, depending on who arrives. But typically we will ride along the Worth Way to East Grinstead, or Hartfield and back, or perhaps go north to Redhill aerodrome for coffee. Probably we will loop around to the vicinity of The Gate in Ifield towards mid-day. It’s up to you!
So please join us – start at 10.00 from Three Bridges station – return to Crawley by 12.30. Dates are Sunday 3rd October and Sunday 31st October.

Arun Crossings - DA Event

The Arun Crossings is the final DA event of the year and one of my favourites. Every year it’s different despite most of the elements remaining constant:
· It starts from Pulborough Station car park
· Colin leads it
· It crosses and recrosses the River Arun
· Lunch is at the Blue Ship
· It finishes back at Pulborough Station car park.
In recent years we’ve had to contend with the river being in flood and Edwin’s unfortunate accident, so what would this year bring?

Well, two new riders for a start – David and Dominica from Felpham joined us. They were riding well-specced mountain bikes although David’s was sporting just a single cog at the front and one at the back. With a 32 tooth front ring and 16 tooth back ring, his ratio was roughly in the middle of the plethora the rest of us were carting about!

Colin lead us north away from the station and then along Coombelands Lane before finally striking west at Pickhurst Farm to cross first the Wey/Arun canal and then the river. Next we climbed along the edge of a field and through some woodland to emerge on Bedham Lane. Heading north up Horsebridge Hill, we located the next Bridleway on the right and headed offroad once more, firstly through a strip of woodland and then across some dew-laden grassland.

As usual, immediately after crossing the river we crossed the canal and then heading northeast and east we emerged onto Blackgate Lane. Following another bridleway across fields and through woodland we next popped out onto Lordings Road where we turned left and were soon passing the Limeburners Arms.

Reaching the A272 we turned left and then took the first right onto Rowner Road. After about a mile we took a bridleway on the left, passed through some farm buildings and a patch of woodland to cross the river above a weir. Just after, we crossed the canal at Rowner Lock. Unfortunately the lock is empty at the moment and the lock gates have been removed for preservation.

Immediately north of here, the national grid decided to install a large pylon that straddles the canal – unfortunately I didn’t take a picture to illustrate it, but it shouldn’t prevent the canal from reopening (should the current problems ever be resolved).
Now it was time for elevenses and we headed across to Wisborough Green and the tea shop for huge pots of tea (and small cups of coffee) where we met Edwin and a couple of other members (I’ve nicked this photo from Edwins blog):

Setting off once more, we retraced our steps to Newpound Common then followed the B2133 north before diving onto a very bumpy bridleway alongside a field. Some nice woodland singletrack was followed by some smoother field tracks and the sighting of a Heron as we passed the ponds near Malham farms. Passing through the farm buildings we turned left and passed the spot where Edwin had his accident a couple of years back – as I noticed last year, the roots that caused the problem seem to have been either removed or buried as there is no sign of them now. Crossing over the canal we were confronted by a field of cattle held back by the thin line of an electric fence. I’m having a lot of problems with cat poo in my garden at the moment and found myself wondering if perhaps an electric fence is the answer? Does anyone know? Are cats capable of learning not to visit a particular place if they keep getting zapped there?
After running parallel to the canal for a hundred yards or so, the bridleway then bears right across a field that was at least two feet under water the other year and then crosses the river on a low, narrow and very flat bridge. Three fields later we emerged onto Okehurst Road where we turned left. Just under a mile later, Colin (our ride leader – I reckon he knows every bridleway in West Sussex) gave us the option of staying on the road for another mile or so to the pub or taking a quick bridleway diversion to add some more offroad to the trip. The group split and I batted off down some delightful woodland singletrack and emerged grinning onto a lane at the other end just a couple of minutes later.

Here’s what Streetview shows of the other end!

From here it was but a short ride to the Blue Ship at the Haven for lunch. Once again several other members were there to meet us, including Barbara who was looking a bit sheepish having been told off for eating her own sandwiches in the garden!

As well as a pleasant conversation with the various members of our group, I had a sausage sandwich and a pint of Sussex Ale for lunch. This stood me in good stead for the afternoons adventures. Heading west from the pub, we headed past a mill and several other swanky houses before emerging onto Loxwood Road. Turning left we then took the first left and followed Drungewick Lane down and over the canal and eventually took another bridleway on the left to head south through woodland and fields to arrive at Malham Farms again. Here we repeated one of our morning crossings (the one with the electric fence) and emerged onto Okehurst Lane once more. This time we turned right and headed south for just over half a mile. Turning right onto another bridleway we reached the river and travelled alongside it for a few hundred yards before crossing it and arriving at Loves Bridge over the canal. From here a great bit of singletrack took us up through some woods before we ran the gauntlet of the open grass in front of the house with the loose dogs. But they were nowhere to be seen and we regained the road without incident. A mile and a half later we were again at the Wisborough Green tearooms for more tea and cake.
The final session took us due south from Wisborough Green and up a long straight slightly slippy/bumpy slope and back out onto Blackgate Lane. We followed this to Pickhurst Lane which took us back to Coombelands Lane.

Then where Coombelands Lane made a sharp left turn we hit another bridleway – up through the trees and onto a sandy ridge for a great final offroad blast down to the A283 at Stopham.

Spot the composite photo – they weren’t really that close!!!

Here we made our last two crossings of the Arun – first the new bridge and then the old – before riding the last mile back to Pulborough Station.

Once again this was a very enjoyable ride and there’s another one coming up this Sunday 19th September. It’s our annual ride to the coast led by Pete S. Starting from Three Bridges Station at 09:00 hours It goes to Brighton via a number of quiet lanes and Ditchling teashop (oh, and the Beacon) before lunch on Brighton seafront. The return trip can be either by train or by following NCN20 (with a stop for refreshments at the Victory Inn in Staplefield). It’s a lovely day out and gives a good sense of achievement, hopefully I’ll see you there.

Lewes

It was half-heartedly trying to start raining as four of us met outside Three Bridges Station – Pat, Frank, Bob and John C - but the few spits and spots were not enough to warrant donning our waterproofs. We rather hoped that we might be joined by other riders as about half a dozen or so arrived at the station, but they all seemed to be getting onto trains – probably heading for one of Boris’s traffic-free rides in London.

After waiting the regulation 10 minutes, the four of us set off using the usual easterly route out of Crawley – Worth Road and then Turner’s Hill Road. As we passed Tulley’s Farm we saw the familiar figure of John V ahead and so, as we regrouped at the top of the hill, our quartet had become a quintet. As usual JV was riding strongly and Bob latched onto his rear wheel for a nice fast pace along Selsfield Road all the way to Ardingly. John and Bob waited here for the others to catch up before we continued on along Lindfield Road. At Stonecross Lane Frank and Pat said goodbye as they only had time for a short ride today. The remaining trio followed part of the route the London to Brighton bike ride used to take – Stonecross Lane, Keysford Lane, Plummerden Lane - before heading further east along Monteswood Lane. As we passed under the Bluebell Railway Bob was sad that a train wasn’t going past as he likes to see the steam engines in all their glory (I bet he’s got a trainset at home). Leaving the quiet rails behind, we continued further east along Ketches Lane and went straight over the A275 at Sheffield Crossways. Keeping right at Splaynes Green we soon arrived in Fletching where it looked like they were getting ready for some village activity or other. There was some bunting out and people were milling around looking busy. We didn’t stop in case we got roped in to help and were soon crossing the A272 near Piltdown Golf Course.

As we took the next road on the right we noticed that the woman driving in the opposite direction was busy multi-tasking as she held her phone to her ear and negotiated the awkward t-junction. Glad to be heading away from such a dangerous person, we headed on south through Spithurst and then up a short climb into Barcombe Cross. Here we turned left and headed past the waterworks at Barcombe Mills before turning right onto Wellingham Lane – this meant we could minimise the amount of A-road we’d have to use getting to Lewes. Soon however, it spat us out onto the A26 were we met a group of about 6 youngish (20 something) lads who were on a cycle tour from St. Leonards (about 20 miles away) to somewhere in North Devon (they didn’t say where exactly). They could be potential members for our club because they were looking for a pub!

We then followed the A26 all the way into Lewes where we turned into Malling Street to get to Cliffe High Street. This road was cobbled and didn’t make for comfortable riding but several shops and cafes were open and the street was buzzing with life. We found a café with outside tables and sat down for lunch and a spot of people-watching. Poached eggs on toast seemed to be the order of the day and jolly nice they were too. Sitting there on a pleasant Sunday, I quite fancied the idea of living in Lewes and found myself wondering how much more my season ticket to London would cost. Living in Lewes would make getting to our weekly rides a bit harder though!

After lunch, rather than tackle the steep climb of the High Street to gain the Offham Road, we headed through the Waterloo and Landport areas of the town to pick up a bridleway that would take us all the way to Offham. We didn’t know exactly where the bridleway started and as we were searching for it John shouted “That must be it, there’s a dog-poo bin!”. He was right and we passed under some trees and onto the track. Apparently we were using this route as a treat for me on my mountain bike (and it was easy enough) but just a couple of minutes later there was an explosive hiss as I got a front puncture. My own fault I suppose, as my slick tyres are getting on a bit and I’ve been putting off buying replacements due to lack of funds! As it deflated I rode slowly on until we emerged back onto a road where there were a couple of logs to lean bikes against and sit on in the sunshine. Unfortunately not everyone had been using the dog-poo bin and sure enough my punctured tyre had managed to find it! Once the tyre was off, we hunted for the cause of the puncture and reckon a sharp stone had poked through a previously cut part of the tyre. I replaced the tube but when it came to reinflating things, my pump didn’t seem to work very well so JV took over using his pump (thanks JV), meantime I repaired the damaged tube in case my lacerated tyres caused another flat later on.

Back on the road we turned onto Beechwood Lane just before the railway and this very quiet lane took us northwest and near a hamlet called East Chiltington. I wonder if there’s any relationship between here and West Chiltington? Not long after this we reached Wivelsfield Green and then turned north onto Slugwash Lane. The riding was pleasant if uneventful, although on reaching the end of the lane and doing a right turn onto the A272, I received a blast on the horn from a car driver - I’d pulled across in front of him because I thought he was turning into the lane I was emerging from (and therefore would be braking) but in fact he just hadn’t cancelled his indicator and was not turning (or slowing down) at all! It hadn’t been a near miss, I just think he wasn’t concentrating and had been taken by surprise.

From here we headed up through Lindfield back to Ardingly and the long drag up to Turners Hill. JV disappeared from view on this stretch and I just had to keep my head down and grind away on the pedals. We met up again at Turners Hill church and then enjoyed a fast descent past tulleys farm and back into Crawley.

My mileage was in the region of 52 miles I think (I had to guess as my speedo didn’t work for a while after my puncture repair as I’d moved the wheel sensor by mistake!).

Next weeks ride on Sunday 12th September is the final DA Event of the year, The Arun Crossings Ride. This is a VERY enjoyable ride crossing the River Arun as many times as we can manage. I recommend using at least a hybrid or tourer with grippy tyres as several bridleways are used and we’ve had a bit of rain lately (my mountain bike will be sporting a full set of knobblies). The start is from Pulborough Railway Station car park at 09:30 hrs and parking is free on Sundays. Lunch will be about midday at The Blue Ship, The Haven and the event will finish back at Pulborough Station by about 15:30 – 16:00hrs.