Shortly after, Barbara arrived but, in spite of waiting until 09:45, that was it. We set off out of Horsham heading west over the golf course and up Rowhook Hill, noticing that lots of fungi are starting to make an appearance - including a straight line of them in the middle of a field! We headed through Cox Green and up into Rudgwick where we turned right and headed down past the brickworks (have I spelt brickworks correctly? Their sign suggests otherwise):
Loads of bricks there, it would be nice to have a house built of local bricks, although I don't think much of that front door!
Although the sky was overcast, it was really very pleasant riding with just a slight wind and a temperature warm enough for a t-shirt to suffice. Barbara thought it was bit cool for that and kept her jacket on.
After crossing the A 281 we carried on west and then I made a navigational error and took us down Drungewick Lane. I didn't realise until we'd gone about a mile further on, so rather than turn around I rejigged the next part of the route. As we approached Loxwood from the south, we encountered a road race in progress and were overtaken by at least three clumps of fast-moving roadies complete with motorcycle marshalls and accompanying cars. On reaching Ifold we turned off the race route and headed south again, only to rejoin it at the next junction - we missed one clump, but the second and third clumps went past us again. They all went left at the next junction, into Kirdford. we turned right and were going westward again. We used Scratchings Lane towards Ebernoe and then Pipers Lane before arriving at the lunch halt - The Deepwell Inn at Northchapel.
I'd decided on this lunch stop as I had noticed that the Arun & Adur section were lunching there and thought it would be good to meet up. They numbered 4 and we joined them to enjoy a pleasant lunch with good food and good beer. The pub seemed to be having quite a bit of work done to it, so we'll have to return sometime to see what the finished thing looks like.
It was still overcast when we left the pub but then a patch of blue sky sat over us as we rode back via Kirdford and Wisborough Green. We were tiring at this point and decided to head for Billingshurst to catch a train back to Horsham. Speeding along the A272 , our patch of blue disappeared and we started to feel the odd drop of rain. As we arrived at the station it started raining properly and we looking foward to sitting in the dry of a railway carriage. However, we'd just missed a train and the next was a full hour away - we could ride back in that time! So, on with the waterproofs and back out into the rain.
We headed through Billingshurst and back to Horsham via New Road, Barns Green, Two Mile Ash Road and Tower Hill. Arriving at the town centre Barbara headed off to meet a friend and I headed across to Ifield using the new cycle route along Wimlands Lane and the bridleway into Ifield North.
I arrived at my nephews house just in time to see the mighty Reds give a footballing lesson to the Chelski blues and washed the result down with cider and birthday cake.
Next weeks ride is our annual ride to the seaside.
Leaving Three Bridges station at 09:00hrs, the ride will be a relatively easy 30 miles (with the notable exception of Ditchling Beacon - but there's no shame in walking that) and will doubtless feature a tea-stop at Ditchling village and then lunch on Brighton seafront. As it goes via Turners Hill and Lindfield, there's the possibility of joining in along the way - contact Pete S or Bob to let us know if that's your plan.
The return can be by train (n.b. Three Bridges Station will be closed, but direct trains from Brighton will go to Gatwick and it's an easy ride back to Crawley from there) or the slightly harder ride along NCN20 with possibly a pub stop at Bolney or Staplefield.
This ride is usually very enjoyable and gives a good sense of achievement, so what's holding you back? See you on Sunday!
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