The Foresters Arms, Kirdford

Late October - obviously t-shirt and shorts weather! Well, long-sleeved t-shirt but that was plenty warm enough. Barbara was todays ride leader and she was joined by Pete E, Mike, Johnny and Bob.

We headed west, across the golf course, under the A24 and along Robin Hood Lane. No deer visible today - are they being prepared for Christmas???

Rowhook Hill followed and we stayed on the Horsham Road all the way to Ewhurst Green where we took Gadbridge Lane and then the Cranleigh Road into Cranleigh. After passing through the village we turned left onto Elmbridge Lane. Where this road crosses first the railway (now the Downs Link path) and later the canal, it narrows down to a single lane and traffic seemed to pile up behind us. Fortunately none of the drivers seemed too impatient and we got no grief from them.

We went over the A281 at the traffic lights and then some incompetent oaf in a people carrier gave us a blast on the horn for no discernible reason (unless they were suffering from a form of Tourettes?).

Once again we went past Dunsfold airfield without seeing any of the Top Gear lads - I'd so like to have a chat with Jeremy and demonstrate how easily a bike could ride over a car (he once suggested that he would drive his car over a cyclist). Bearing west then south we went through the village of Dunsfold and thence on to Plaistow. From here it was just a couple more miles down to Kirdford and our lunch stop at The Foresters Arms.

The pub was recovering from a Halloween party and there were cobwebs and pumpkins all over the place as well as on the menu (pumpkin soup - not cobweb soup!).

We had a pleasant lunch and were joined by several riders from Arun Adur group before eventually getting back on our bikes and taking the shortest route back to Horsham - Wisborough Green, Rowner Road, New Road, Barns Green, Two Mile Ash Road and Tower Hill.

Mike returned to his car, Johnny and I carried on through Roffey, along Forest Road and back into Crawley via Pease Pottage. As I put my bike away I noted that I'd clocked up 57 miles on what had been a very pleasant October day that felt more like a late summers day.

Our next Sunday ride is on November 6th and will be suitable for ALL levels of riders. We'll start at Three Bridges Station at 10:00hrs, ride to Crawley High Street and have a look at the Veteran Cars stopped there. After that we'll ride along cycle paths to Pease Pottage Hill where we can watch the Old Crocks tackle the hill (we can ride up with them if we want), before popping into the Black Swan at Pease Pottage for some refreshments.

It'll be easy, it'll be fun, so come along.