The Ashdowner

Nice weather meant I was out in a T-shirt and didn't bother packing any waterproofs. Arriving at Three Bridges for the start I was met by Frank and Anton, although Anton was just on his way home from a monster Audax ride - he'd clocked up something like 450 kilometres with a ride that had taken him all the way over to Wiltshire and (I think) Gloucestershire! It's not long now until he faces the Paris-Brest-Paris ride (PBP).

Next to join us were a couple of riders from the Family Bike Ride in June - Ali and Laksh - and then John C rolled up.

Waving goodbye to Anton, we set off up through Pound Hill and out on the Turners Hill Road. I was very conscious that todays ride would be hard work for the two new riders as it's impossible to avoid hills when travelling south and east of Crawley, but as they were both less than half my age, I thought they'd probably have the fitness to do it. Pausing for breath near Turners Hill church Ali mentioned that she'd ridden the road before but this was the first time she'd done it without a couple of stops. I decided to miss out the next bit of my planned route (and avoid a short climb) by heading straight over the crossroads to enjoy the couple of miles of mainly downhill gliding before the little climb up to the next crossroads. Next we passed through Saint Hill Green and across the end of Weirwood reservoir before turning left onto Legsheath Lane. After a half mile level, this road then climbs for about a mile but, as I pointed out in between gasps for air, it's not as steep as the other road going past the scout camps. However, on reaching the crossroads, Ali decided it was all proving a bit too much and that she would head back home to Turners Hill. She was confident about the route as she was familiar with all the roads hereabouts, so reluctantly we said goodbye and carried on. We took the first right onto Twyford Lane and enjoyed the lane as it smoothly swept down to a shady woodland. Here there is a ford and I warned my fellow riders that there's a short up immediately afterwards so they'd need to change gear as they got to the ford - needless to say, everyone was so focussed on the road and the ford that they all forgot to change gear (except me of course)!

At the next junction, an acute turn to our right took us down through a second ford and then immediately up a stiff little climb which was made palatable by judicious use of the vast range of gearing my bike has - I knew there was a reason for all those cogs!!

Now we were up on top of the ridge, the riding was nice and level with good views in most directions. At Cinder Hill we joined a slightly bigger road but there was almost no traffic and then a right turn took us down and past Horsted Keynes station on the Bluebell Railway. Another short climb and then decision time - left and up a short, tough climb and perhaps a lunchbreak in Ardingly, or right up an easier (but longer) hill to West Hoathly. We turned right and although the gradient may have been easier, it went on and on and on! Eventually however we reached West Hoathly and paused by what was once The Vinols Cross Inn. Not so long ago it had been refurbished and become the Intrepid Fox but it is now closed and up for sale. From here it was but a short couple of hundred yards to The Cat Inn. We decided to sit outside in the sunshine and watch the world go by. Everyone bar me opted for soft drinks, but I found the call of the Dark Star Hophead ale too great - and it was REALLY good. Unfortunately there weren't any sandwiches on the menu but a cheese platter, a roast dinner and a bowl of chips ticked the right boxes for those of us eating.

Everyone seemed quite tired, so for the afternoon ride I spared them the joys of Cob Lane and then the Ardingly Reservoir crossing by heading north instead and straight to Turners Hill. From there it was almost all downhill back to Pound Hill where we all dispersed our separate ways.

A quick glance at my speedo revealed todays ride was a mere 26 miles - but with all the hills it had felt a lot longer.

Next weeks ride will be led by Bob and starts from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 10:00 hrs. As it is the DA Picnic ride, please remember to bring a packed lunch for the Picnic at Wisborough Green (you'll be able get food and drink at The Cricketers if you want, but that rather defeats the idea of a picnic).

The following week (August 14th) will be another easy ride suitable for everyone and starting from Three Bridges to use the Worth Way out towards East Grinstead - why not bring along a family member or a friend?