Crawley Family Bike Ride 2011

The weather forecasters were predicting a hot, sunny day (for a change) and this news seems to have encouraged people to get out on their bikes for a grand total of 52 people turned up at Oriel School for the Crawley Family Bike Ride 2011.

"Suitable for riders of all ages and abilities" was how the ride had been advertised and the Crawley public certainly lived up to that declaration.

Several members of Horsham and Crawley CTC were on hand to assist ride leader Pete keep the ride under control and safe for everybody.

First step was for everyone to register for the ride and thereby gain the protection of the ‘Team Green Bike Week’ insurance scheme.

Various freebies and leaflets were also available in order to publicise the various cycling facilities and organisations in Crawley.

Then everyone gathered together for a brief briefing from Pete.

The emphasis was very much on safety but also on enjoyment.

After posing for group photos for the Crawley News photographer.....

Look how many riders there are......

We set off. Firstly using the cycle path from Maidenbower into Furnace Green and then following Weald Drive into Tilgate. Pete led us on a quiet route using smaller residential roads and a cycle path to arrive at K2 leisure centre.

From there, the underpass at Broadfield roundabout enabled a safe crossing of the A23 and we followed NCN20 as it went up Woodmans Hill, Tollgate Hill, Hollingbourne Crescent and Wye Close to emerge at the top of Pease Pottage Hill - this was the hardest part of the ride as it involved something like a 40 metre climb in just under a mile.

The Horsham link road has not yet had the pedestrian controlled lights installed, but with some adept marshalling from the riders in flourescent yellow jackets and with the goodwill of several motorists, we were all soon safely across.

For the next mile or so the route followed the old A23 until we used a footbridge to cross over the new A23 at Tilgate Forest Row and gain the Handcross Road. Normally this road is almost devoid of traffic but today it was absolutely jam-packed with cars. It seems that there had been an incident on the A23 and lots of traffic was trying to find an alternative route via the Handcross Road. The volume of traffic was initially very worrying, especially bearing in mind the number of very young riders we had, but the traffic volume actually had the effect of reducing the traffic speed to one barely faster than our sub 10mph pace and we were soon at our destination, Nymans Gardens.

We received a warm welcome from the National Trust staff and not only did our event flyers give us free access to the garden but we were also issued with a voucher for a free drink from the cafe. Thanks Nymans.

As people enjoyed the gardens, had lunch or just sat in the shade, I repaired a puncture for a young lady - it's amazing how clumsy I become when people are watching me work on a bike, but once I relaxed I quickly got it done. Thanks for the use of your pump, John.

Soon it was time for the return journey, but not before another group photo:

Come on everyone, wave...

..... just one more .....

.... I lied .......

Within seconds everyone was back on the road and riding past a near stationery queue of traffic heading in the opposite direction.

On reaching Pease Pottage we headed east on Parish Lane before turning left into Tilgate Forest for a fast ride down the firebreak trail.

I think everyone really enjoyed this stretch - after all, this was basically the same hill they'd climbed up earlier in the day!

Here you can see Anton performing his usual "sweeper" role as, assisted by John, he looks after the youngest rider Angelo.

Having crossed over the M23 we then had a fast descent through the golf course before a short wooded section gave us some refreshing shade.

Minutes later we were back at Oriel School having ridden a total of just over 10 miles and without losing anyone! We received lots of positive comments and we're already trying to think of ways to improve the event for next year - avoiding any hills would seem to be high on the ideas list!

Thankyou to everyone who set up, organised, advertised, assisted, donated to the event but an extra BIG thankyou to everyone who turned up and took part in the ride. Hopefully it revealed some aspect of the cycle facilities in Crawley of which you weren't previously aware and it would be lovely to see you on any of the Horsham and Crawley CTC rides in the future. n.b. there is an easy ride either along the Worth Way or to Redhill Aerodrome on Sunday 10th July, come along, you'll be pleasantly surprised how easy it is to get to places by bike.

For club members (and those of you who fancy one or more 25 mile rides along some wonderful lanes) this Sunday (3rd July) sees us hold our annual Two Weald Ride. Make your own way to Wisborough Green for 10:00hrs and set off either by yourself or with a variety of other riders on any of the four circular routes that we have maps and route instructions for. Light refreshments will be available from Pat and Franks camper van and all the routes have convenient pubs for when you want a lunch break.