Abinger Hammer

I didn't get off to a good start this morning - I'd been worrying about a project going in at work and been late going to bed, I'd been phoned by work at 4am and then for good measure the clocks had gone forward - so all in all it was a miracle I made it to Horsham Pavilions in the Park only 5 minutes late. I was greeted by three club members - Barbara, Richard and Pete. Pete wouldn't be riding as he's still recovering from a fall but hopes to be back out in a couple of weeks. We chatted whilst we waited but 10 minutes later no one else had turned up and we decided to set off. We headed west along Hurst Road then took West Parade, Kempshott Road and Spencers place before crossing the golf course and going under the A24 to emerge on Robin Hood Lane. I couldn't see any deer in the Deer park to our right today, so refrained from usual attempts to wind them up. This is one of our standard routes away from Horsham and next takes Byfleets Lane, Strood Lane, the Guildford Road and a short stretch of the A29 before heading up Rowhook Hill At the top of the hill the road bears right and we were now pointing in the general direction that the rest of the ride would take. The day had started slightly chilly, but with clear skies and a light wind, the spring sun was starting to make its presence felt as we arrived in Ewhurst and hit the third hill of the ride. Just under a mile later and with another hill starting to bite we took a right fork onto Peaslake Road. This soon swept us down into the village and at this point I noticed the rear of my bike starting to squirm a little - another puncture! We stopped by the war memorial and in front of a load of mountain bikers I demonstrated a quick tube change. Here Richard left us and headed south east, up Radnor Road. We continued north before taking Hoe Lane on the right which took us up and over two small ridges before we turned left onto the B2126 for a gentle, slightly downhill mile to Abinger Hammer. We lunched in the tea room on sandwiches and cheese and all the time the sun was warming things up outside. I was half expecting John V to meet us at the lunch stop, but he didn't materialise so we set off on the return leg. Firstly we headed south on the B2126 through Sutton Abinger, then, ignoring the charms of the Volunteer Inn we headed up Sutton Lane and across to Abinger Common. We were nice and warm now and for the first time this year we were having to shed layers to stay comfortable. The road kept climbing and the fact that it's called Leith Hill Road should give a clue as to why - after all Leith Hill is the highest point in the Southeast! Barbara rejected my invitation to offroad it even higher and all the way up to the Tower, so I just had to settle for the downhill blast to the south and, without trying, I was soon whistling along at 40 mph. At the bottom of the hill we joined up with the B2126 once more and took it as it headed south east then east through Ockley and past its picturesque church and over the A24 to Capel. Using the Rusper Road and passing another brickworks pit on our right, we headed to Rusper, spurred on by our plan to stop for a pint there. Muggeridge's Hill was its usual hard work but there was no stopping us now and we soon pulled up at The Star in Rusper. It was very pleasant sitting in the sun, supping on a rather good pint of London Pride. I realised that I had now finally started to relax having been uptight and worrying about work all weekend. Ironically, my phone now rang and it was work! Fortunately I dealt with it quickly and also realised that all the project stuff I'd been worrying about appeared to have worked. We now headed home - Barbara back to Horsham down the Rusper Road, me back to Crawley along a different Rusper Road. Next weeks ride is a beginners ride starting from Three Bridges Station at 10:00hrs and will be an easy 2 hour ride either along the Worth Way or possibly up to Redhill Aerodrome. It's also Mothering Sunday - why not bring your Mum out for a bike ride?

April showers bring May flowers, or so I was always taught. But when we seven non-novice riders left Three Bridges at about 10.15 on Sunday, we saw primroses galore in the weak late March sunshine. I had planned an alternative route if we had no newcomers and, fortunately, I had shown Bob the details before we left. This meant that when I went wrong he was able to put us back on track! Thank you Bob.

It was also the Pioneer run on Sunday so when we joined the A23 at K2, having followed the Tilgate Drive cycle route from Three Bridges, we were accompanied by motor cycles and support vehicles of all different shapes and sizes. And the smell of two-stroke exhaust (remember that?!). The short climb up to Pease Pottage lead us past the motorway services and on the route to Handcross where the Pioneers headed off west towards Plummers plain but we freewheeled down to Staplefield and my embarrassment as Bob took the correct right turn while we sailed serenely off the wrong way! Strangely the last time I lead this route I went the wrong way as well – note to self; make sure you know the route when you are leading….

From Staplefield we headed south along the NCR20 until turning left/east along Mallions Lane. This is a single track road with grass growing out of the middle of it and views of the hills to both the north and the south. Of course, sometimes you have to climb hills which we duly did to arrive at the B2115 to Cuckfield. Arriving at the outskirts of Cuckfield we turned to the left/north and then first left in to Cherry Lane. This is another single track lane and we meandered through lovely countryside until a short kick up to Balcombe station, across the B2036 and arrived at the café for 12.15. They really make you welcome in the café and it was, therefore, no surprise to find it packed. After drinks and a variety of food we set off again down to Balcombe reservoir with an organised cycle ride passing us in the opposite direction – bikes were outnumbering cars today! From the reservoir it is a short, but quite steep, climb up to the left turn into Paddockhurst Lane. And from there a gentle slog up to the B2110 Paddockhurst Road where we turned right/east for Turners Hill. Here, Ros turned north for Crawley Down and the Worth Way home to East Grinstead while Anton turned south for Haywards Heath. The remaining Crawley contingent freewheeled down towards Crawley to Bob’s puncture just past Tulley’s farm. Five minutes to fix that and we were back in Crawley at about 13.15 after 25 miles. Not a ride for unfit riders, as a few quite stiff climbs, but a wonderful couple of hours in the countryside.

Our next beginners ride is in two weeks time on Sunday 3rd April, meeting at 10.00 at Three Bridges station. The plan is to ride an easy trip to Redhill aerodrome for coffee (and cake!) via Gatwick airport. Next weeks ride starts in Horsham at 10.00 and is going to Abinger Hammer – this promises to be a good run with excellent weather guaranteed. And a leader who knows where he is going!

Also if you want to plan a route to work, or a leisure trip out for a couple of hours try this cycle route software: http://www.cyclestreets.net/ It is really very good and has now been adopted by West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council. I think that Horsham will follow shortly.

Happy riding!
Peter