We were pleased to welcome Roz to our group on Sunday, especially as she had ridden from East Grinstead in light rain to join Barbara, Bob and I at Three Bridges station for 10.00 (new time). We reviewed options, given the conditions and the preferences of the group, and decided to head north out on the NCR21, taking in the delights of Manor Royal and Gatwick South terminal as we headed in to Horley. It is surprising just how quickly after leaving south terminal you find yourself in the bucolic surroundings of Horley with the duck pond and river Mole, on each side of you as you ride. The rain was light but continuous and as we were all dressed appropriately became little more than an annoyance. After the two short climbs north of Horley we found ourselves at Redhill aerodrome for coffee and tea-cakes. This was busy with several aircraft moving as well. One customer enquired after our Goldeneye maps as she had not seen them before – let’s hope she remembers the name or finds our Blog! We then headed north for a couple of miles before turning east and south, arriving at Outwood and the windmill (still the oldest working windmill in England). It wasn’t working when we stopped there. We went east to Horne, with great views to the south as we descended the steep hill, and then left, right, left, left, right to Blindley Heath, where a young woman in a Mercedes gave a copybook demonstration of how not to pass a cyclist at a traffic light and then turn right – she did give me a very nice wave, though! We went south to Lingfield and then missing the race course turned right to head to East Grinstead. There is a slight climb to get there but we all arrived after about 20 miles (TBR start) to say au revoir to Roz and then take the Worth Way back to Crawley. A very pleasant 30 miles (almost exactly by some fluke!) arriving back just before 14.00.
Hope to see you next week - it's the Old Crocks Race (sorry, I mean Veteran Car run) and we'll inspect the cars in the High Street before beating them up Pease Pottage Hill and down to Staplefield for a bacon butty.
More short/easy rides have been planned so if you missed this one don’t worry.
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