Beginners Ride

This months Beginners Ride was held a week earlier than usual and, in spite of a glorious summery day, only Barbara and Bob turned up. We waited around for 10 minutes but were disappointed as no-one else materialised.

Rather than head out along the Worth Way, we decided to ride a loop to the north and west of Crawley. We went through Three Bridges following the NCN20 into the Industrial Estate and then through Gatwick Airport into Horley. Here we headed north through various residential streets and exited the town on Meath Green Lane. The road surface was lovely and smooth and in the warmth of the sun provided very pleasant cycling as it became Lonesome Lane and emerged in the southern edge of Reigate. Here we headed west, across the A217 and back into the countryside along Slipshatch Road. This road becomes Clayhall Lane and then Flanchford Road. Next we turned left into Church Lane which quietly led us to Leigh.

We headed on west, over the crossroads onto Clayhill Road which became Broad Lane as it swept south-westerly towards Parkgate where we turned right to go past the Surrey Oaks pub. Approaching Newdigate we took Hogspudding Lane and then Church Road where we saw this beehive:

Emerging opposite the Six Bells, we turned south onto Rusper Road and, just short of Rusper, in the middle of the countryside, on a quiet lane, encountered a half mile long traffic jam! Fortunately it was heading in the opposite direction to us and was comprised of people trying to get to a car boot sale. Pretty much bang on 12:00 hrs we pulled up at The Plough in Rusper and enjoyed a pleasant lunch in the sheltered suntrap of a back garden.

From here, Barbara headed off downhill back to Horsham and I headed off down a different hill back to Crawley. I decided to go via Goffs Park and was pleased to see that the model railway is still there, still giving excited children (and adults) rides behind miniature steam engines. After using Springfield Road I went along East Park and then cut through the old Longley premises and past the Arora Hotel to emerge on Southgate Avenue. Here I revisited an old habit of mine by riding up the sharp climb of the cutting by the bridge and then across the playing field (passing the BMX/skateboard park) into The Hawth woodland. In the woodland are several paths and many pits - the product of ancient iron-working! Many of these pits can be ridden through and I enjoyed myself doing just that. I'm sure I wasn't as spectacular as most of the kids that must ride these pits and jumps, but I enjoyed it and managed not to fall off.

Even after all this fun, I was still home by 14:00hrs and spent the rest of the afternoon just pottering around my garden.

Next weeks ride starts from Horsham Pavilions In The Park at 10:00 hrs and, led by Pete E, we will head west and north to visit Winkworth Arboretum, a National Trust property that should have a spectacular display of Autumn Colour. If you want to go around the garden bring your NT membership card (or £5.60 for non-members). Refreshments are available from the cafe without having to pay for entry. This will be a fairly easy ride over a total of about 40 miles.