A Horsham start and, as usual, I'm running late (this is probably the most common theme running through this blog)! The K2 carpark was full due to a swimming event and I switched my bright red flashing rear light on before venturing onto the A23 and up Pease Pottage Hill. I was nice and warm on reaching the top and with an empty roundabout, I didn't have to stop at the top. Suddenly a car blasted his horn right behind me. What the ......! Some twerp in a sliver Aston Martin Convertible (last three letters of the reg were DVB) had come up the hill behind me and then simultaneously tried to overtake me and turn left onto the motorway sliproad going north. I can only assume the horn blast was to tell me off for using the correct signal when going straight on over a roundabout and also for not taking my cycle onto the motorway!!
It was cold riding along Forest Road but the sky was brightening up and I was glad to be out on my bike. Everything seemed a bit quicker today and, without really trying too hard, I actually pulled up at Horsham Pavilions in the Park at exactly 10:00hrs! That's a first :-)
Barbara was waiting and ..... that was it. We waited for ten minutes just in case and then set off.
Firstly we headed through the centre of town and then out on the Worthing Road as far as The Boars Head where we turned right. That little climb from the junction to the Tower Hill corner is always awkward - it's too narrow for cars to pass and the road surface is not that smooth, but once over the crest and round the corner, the road widens and one can get ones breath back freewheeling down and under the A24. We took the next right and went past Christs Hospital and over the railway. There were several runners going in both directions along this road and also when we turned left near Itchingfield. A short hill and a long glide took us to Barns Green. Here, for a change, I took us over the railway level crossing and along the quiet Emms Lane to Brooks Green. Here a quick left then right took us onto Lackenhurst Lane - this is the convenient link lane that doesn't seem to be on the Goldeneye map (if it is, it's obscured by a couple of placenames and impossible to see). Going right at the triangular junction, we followed Bakers Lane down to The George and Dragon where we turned south and crossed the A272.
At the next junction Barbara turned left for Shipley and to head for home whilst I carried on.
Smithers Hill Lane took me to Countryman Lane which led to Broomers Corner and Hooklands Lane. This lane finishes off as Spear Hill and a short descent onto the Billingshurst Road. From here it was south through Ashington and then under the A24 and onto Hole Street. Just over a mile later I pulled up at Wiston Tea Rooms.
Walking my bike into the garden, I could see the inside tables were all occupied mainly with cyclists but didn't recognise any of the faces. I placed my order and sat down at one of the outside tables. Just then an old friend burst through from behind the clouds - The Sun put in an appearance: not as warm as he can be, but pleasant enough. Shortly after, my mug of tea and my poached eggs on toast arrived. As I was just starting to wolf them down, Anne from Bognor and Chichester arrived - like me, she was on her own but enjoying the day. We were joined at the table by a lone cyclist from Sutton - he'd come to Sussex by train and was enjoying a (relatively) hill free ride around the vicinity.
After a pleasant chat, it was time to head for home. I took Spithandle Lane across to the B2135 then headed north through Ashurst to Partridge Green. As I was by myself I decided to head straight back to Crawley on a route I was familiar with from the days when I regularly rode between the two (my brother lived in Partridge Green back then). So it was through Littleworth, right onto Stonehouse Lane and over the A272 onto Burnthouse Lane. This road has a couple of hills, one of which features a barking dog (usually safely behind a fence, but one it was out in the road). Another hill followed on turning into Newells Lane. At the end of the lane I turned right onto the A281 and then left onto the B2115 to Lower Beeding. Next it was north down Church Lane. Near the nothernmost end of the lane is a small business estate - this is where a small local brewery is based called Kissingate - try their beer if you get the chance.
Turning left, it was then down over the Hammerpond and up the other side - as I ground my way up the hill, I spotted a pure white squirrel. He was a big fellow, so is obviously thriving, but he was out of sight before I could bring my camera to bear. As I rode along Grouse Road I found myself looking to see if there was any other "unusual" wildlife around but I didn't spot anything. Soon I was back in Pease Pottage and then through a still packed K2 before arriving home at half past two. I'd enjoyed a very pleasant 35 mile outing on my bike and was feeling quite refreshed by it.
Next weeks ride starts from Three Bridges station at 10:00 hrs and will be a fairly easy (ok there will be a couple of hills) ride to lunch at Balcombe tearooms and back - no more than about 3 hours of cycling in total. Go on - you know you can do it!
Sunday 29 January 2012
Sunday 22 January 2012
Horne (or not)
For mid-January it was a lovely morning. A little cloudy at first, but with some quite prolonged sunny periods. And not too cold, although with a bit of south-westerly wind. We left Three Bridges station on the dot of about 10.12 or so, and headed through Manor Royal as quickly as we could to arrive on the sumptuous cycle path at Gatwick, in time to have a large aircraft coming in to land pass just above our heads. And moments later to experience the contradiction that is the pond by the River Mole and the A23 two hundred metres from a major international airport, in quite tranquil serenity. But we hurried the bunch along trying not to cause too much disturbance all the time avoiding the dogs. And their owners.
It seemed as if the wind was blowing us gently along as we drifted through the centre of Horley, remarking on how splendid the Wooden Hut (Foresters) looks these days. And so to Lonesome lane, which is sometimes well named but we had several cars share this thoroughfare with us. And they were all courteous. Turning right we reached the A23 after taking in the really quite splendid views to the North, with the Downs all lit up by sunshine – what a lift to the spirits in an otherwise grey and dull January. The traffic on the short two hundred metre stretch of the A23 was kind to us and we were soon heading east and still downwind towards coffee and cakes at the Redhill aerodrome. This place seems to be getting busier every time we go there but we managed to find a table big enough for all of us, and sat for a while setting quite a few issues to rights. But eventually it came time to leave and so, after a fully democratic vote (STV), we decided that we had been lucky enough with the weather and that we would head directly back to Crawley, rather than via Horne.
This gave us the opportunity to visit Rookery Hill (not sure why it’s called that) with it’s brief views south towards the South Downs and then in to the bustling metropolis of Smallfield (where I went to primary school a little while ago). It wasn’t bustling while we were there on this occasion. And not much of a metropolis either, actually. So we turned right, westwards, in to the wind. But it seemed to have dropped off, aided by our being in very quiet and sheltered lanes, causing us no extra effort whatsoever. And soon Burstow Church came in to view – the only event marring this pleasant stretch being a four by four vehicle spewing black smoke – seriously, if you can afford one you should be able to afford to maintain it properly.
And then it was right to the Black Corner where we headed left and south towards good old Crawley town. Turning right at Milton Mount we marvelled at the tiny Worth Park garden where the Council will spend three million pounds to make them look nice (yes, that’s right, three million), while we meandered our way pleasantly through the potholes and past the end of JC’s road, nodding our heads in respect as we passed. One of the Horsham contingent was then pleasantly surprised to find that she was deposited, by various turnings, devious routes, and back-doubles, exactly opposite the Three Bridges railway station in a perfect position to recover her vehicle and head off to Horsham for lunch.
Twenty six miles. Mild. Sunny, mostly. No rain. The wind didn’t bother us. Nothing wild or massively exciting, just a couple of hours of pleasant company, with a bit of exercise, wandering around our own back yard.
I hope that we will be able to welcome you to join us next time.
Peter Smith, Ride leader
Our next ride will start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 10:00 hrs on Sunday 29th January. It will be an easy ride of about 30 miles heading south to lunch at Wiston tea rooms (and a meet up with the Bognor & Chichester section). The weather forecast is for a cold but clear day - sounds perfect for cycling and I'm sure we'll have some great views of the Sussex countryside.
It seemed as if the wind was blowing us gently along as we drifted through the centre of Horley, remarking on how splendid the Wooden Hut (Foresters) looks these days. And so to Lonesome lane, which is sometimes well named but we had several cars share this thoroughfare with us. And they were all courteous. Turning right we reached the A23 after taking in the really quite splendid views to the North, with the Downs all lit up by sunshine – what a lift to the spirits in an otherwise grey and dull January. The traffic on the short two hundred metre stretch of the A23 was kind to us and we were soon heading east and still downwind towards coffee and cakes at the Redhill aerodrome. This place seems to be getting busier every time we go there but we managed to find a table big enough for all of us, and sat for a while setting quite a few issues to rights. But eventually it came time to leave and so, after a fully democratic vote (STV), we decided that we had been lucky enough with the weather and that we would head directly back to Crawley, rather than via Horne.
This gave us the opportunity to visit Rookery Hill (not sure why it’s called that) with it’s brief views south towards the South Downs and then in to the bustling metropolis of Smallfield (where I went to primary school a little while ago). It wasn’t bustling while we were there on this occasion. And not much of a metropolis either, actually. So we turned right, westwards, in to the wind. But it seemed to have dropped off, aided by our being in very quiet and sheltered lanes, causing us no extra effort whatsoever. And soon Burstow Church came in to view – the only event marring this pleasant stretch being a four by four vehicle spewing black smoke – seriously, if you can afford one you should be able to afford to maintain it properly.
And then it was right to the Black Corner where we headed left and south towards good old Crawley town. Turning right at Milton Mount we marvelled at the tiny Worth Park garden where the Council will spend three million pounds to make them look nice (yes, that’s right, three million), while we meandered our way pleasantly through the potholes and past the end of JC’s road, nodding our heads in respect as we passed. One of the Horsham contingent was then pleasantly surprised to find that she was deposited, by various turnings, devious routes, and back-doubles, exactly opposite the Three Bridges railway station in a perfect position to recover her vehicle and head off to Horsham for lunch.
Twenty six miles. Mild. Sunny, mostly. No rain. The wind didn’t bother us. Nothing wild or massively exciting, just a couple of hours of pleasant company, with a bit of exercise, wandering around our own back yard.
I hope that we will be able to welcome you to join us next time.
Peter Smith, Ride leader
Our next ride will start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 10:00 hrs on Sunday 29th January. It will be an easy ride of about 30 miles heading south to lunch at Wiston tea rooms (and a meet up with the Bognor & Chichester section). The weather forecast is for a cold but clear day - sounds perfect for cycling and I'm sure we'll have some great views of the Sussex countryside.
Sunday 15 January 2012
The George and Dragon
Barbara led us on this ride,
Out of Horshams southeast side.
Near Doomsday Green then Sedgwick Lane,
And down to Copsale once again.
We headed east and I, at first,
Thought we would stop at Maplehurst.
Then realised that's way too soon,
We only stop when it is noon.
Heading southward on we rode,
And on across the main road.
Camelia Botnar uses up
All the syllables in this coup(let).
Littleworth village next was seen
Leading us into Partridge Green.
Over the Downs Link we rode on
Along the B road on and on.....
Spithandle Lane now on the right,
Slow down for horses wearing bright
Yellow vests and looking nervous.
Next Wiston, future rendezvous (well, it looks like it should rhyme!)
North on Hole Street to Ashington,
Under main road - Worthing, London.
Continuing northwards up until,
Turning right onto Spear Hill.
Hooklands lane is undulating
Broomers Corner to us did bring.
Countryman Lane goes to the pub,
For gallons of ale and lovely grub.
But we didn't stop there, oh no,
Up Smithers Hill Lane we did go
Again a Main Road we came upon
Crossed it, arrive at George and Dragon.
A cider each and soup and pate
Made us each feel rather fat, eh?
A second pint washed that away
Then it was back into the day.
Up Bakers Lane and Old House too
Then along Marlpost Road we flew.
Two Mile Ash Road was soon behind
And we had to make up our mind:
What route next? "Straight on," said I
"The Carfax, to the other side,
Then past the Station on North Street
Is the route I think most fleet."
Norman and Barbara now turning home
Left Bob by himself, all alone
Riding along the Forest Road
Back to Crawley ("Field full of crows").
Our next ride is Sunday 22nd January. Starting from Three Bridges Station at 10:00 it will be an Easy ride, led by Pete S, with a lunch stop at The Jolly Farmers at Horne. The weather forecast seems to be for a dry, slightly chilly day - good cycling weather, go on, get out on your bike!
Out of Horshams southeast side.
Near Doomsday Green then Sedgwick Lane,
And down to Copsale once again.
We headed east and I, at first,
Thought we would stop at Maplehurst.
Then realised that's way too soon,
We only stop when it is noon.
Heading southward on we rode,
And on across the main road.
Camelia Botnar uses up
All the syllables in this coup(let).
Littleworth village next was seen
Leading us into Partridge Green.
Over the Downs Link we rode on
Along the B road on and on.....
Spithandle Lane now on the right,
Slow down for horses wearing bright
Yellow vests and looking nervous.
Next Wiston, future rendezvous (well, it looks like it should rhyme!)
North on Hole Street to Ashington,
Under main road - Worthing, London.
Continuing northwards up until,
Turning right onto Spear Hill.
Hooklands lane is undulating
Broomers Corner to us did bring.
Countryman Lane goes to the pub,
For gallons of ale and lovely grub.
But we didn't stop there, oh no,
Up Smithers Hill Lane we did go
Again a Main Road we came upon
Crossed it, arrive at George and Dragon.
A cider each and soup and pate
Made us each feel rather fat, eh?
A second pint washed that away
Then it was back into the day.
Up Bakers Lane and Old House too
Then along Marlpost Road we flew.
Two Mile Ash Road was soon behind
And we had to make up our mind:
What route next? "Straight on," said I
"The Carfax, to the other side,
Then past the Station on North Street
Is the route I think most fleet."
Norman and Barbara now turning home
Left Bob by himself, all alone
Riding along the Forest Road
Back to Crawley ("Field full of crows").
Our next ride is Sunday 22nd January. Starting from Three Bridges Station at 10:00 it will be an Easy ride, led by Pete S, with a lunch stop at The Jolly Farmers at Horne. The weather forecast seems to be for a dry, slightly chilly day - good cycling weather, go on, get out on your bike!
Sunday 8 January 2012
Easy Morning Ride
Break out the violin, rub that onion under your eyes ........
It isn't half hard trying to write a blog every week!
Regular readers may have noticed the irregularity of the blog posts in recent weeks. As happened about the same time last year, I've lost my muse :-( and am finding it hard to put finger to keyboard. There's only so many ways I can describe a route or what the weather was like or even what state of mind I was in.
So, as an experiment, I'm going to just jot down a "stream of consciousness" ...........
late, late, change wheels? no, stay with knobblies, out the gate, weather mild, air cold (feel it in lungs). Fast up the hill, out of breath, freewheel down. Traffic? Traffic? plenty of space, accelerate, green light, green light, amber, red! Wait, look around, amber GO! Anyone there? Pink jacketed cyclist, Barbara. Good Morning, Happy New Year. Talk about wedding, happy, happy. Hello John, good Christmas? small talk, small talk. Ten past, let's go. Road, cycle track, quiet roads, subway, VERY LOUD BRAKES. New Fire Station. Buckswood Drive, reminiscences, Dower Walk, winter of '63, Overdene Drive, alma mater, Rusper Road. Countryside, quiet, blue skies, relax.
Avoid horse dung, ignore barking dog, climb to Rusper. The Star. Regroup. Drink (from water bottle). Local drivers must be good - they don't seem to need to wear their seatbelts. Freewheel, fork left. Slightly chilly. Warm up on uphill. Road Closed ahead at Level crossing. We'll be ok with bikes. Downhill, chilly blast. Frog and Nightgown. Road really is closed at level crossing. Discuss options, take bridleway - easy enough, nice and firm underwheel. Back on road, over the bypass, up past Littlehaven. Bye bye Barbara. Roffey, Forest Road, Colgate, Cottesmore, Pease Pottage, K2, quiet roads, bye John, home.
It isn't half hard trying to write a blog every week!
Regular readers may have noticed the irregularity of the blog posts in recent weeks. As happened about the same time last year, I've lost my muse :-( and am finding it hard to put finger to keyboard. There's only so many ways I can describe a route or what the weather was like or even what state of mind I was in.
So, as an experiment, I'm going to just jot down a "stream of consciousness" ...........
late, late, change wheels? no, stay with knobblies, out the gate, weather mild, air cold (feel it in lungs). Fast up the hill, out of breath, freewheel down. Traffic? Traffic? plenty of space, accelerate, green light, green light, amber, red! Wait, look around, amber GO! Anyone there? Pink jacketed cyclist, Barbara. Good Morning, Happy New Year. Talk about wedding, happy, happy. Hello John, good Christmas? small talk, small talk. Ten past, let's go. Road, cycle track, quiet roads, subway, VERY LOUD BRAKES. New Fire Station. Buckswood Drive, reminiscences, Dower Walk, winter of '63, Overdene Drive, alma mater, Rusper Road. Countryside, quiet, blue skies, relax.
Avoid horse dung, ignore barking dog, climb to Rusper. The Star. Regroup. Drink (from water bottle). Local drivers must be good - they don't seem to need to wear their seatbelts. Freewheel, fork left. Slightly chilly. Warm up on uphill. Road Closed ahead at Level crossing. We'll be ok with bikes. Downhill, chilly blast. Frog and Nightgown. Road really is closed at level crossing. Discuss options, take bridleway - easy enough, nice and firm underwheel. Back on road, over the bypass, up past Littlehaven. Bye bye Barbara. Roffey, Forest Road, Colgate, Cottesmore, Pease Pottage, K2, quiet roads, bye John, home.
Sunday 1 January 2012
New Years Day Ride
Back in the autumn when I drew up the rides list for the first three months of 2012, a rendezvous ride down to Amberley to meet with the other groups on New Years Day seemed a really good idea, BUT the reality of a night out seeing the New Year in and then having to get out of the house by 08:45 proved a little bit tough to say the least. I managed 08:55 but I could tell my heart wasn't in it as I plodded into the wind along the Forest Road. All the time I was thinking "It's going to be against this wind all the way to Amberley" and "I bet no-one else turns up". That coupled with the fact that I needed to be back home by 15:00hrs meant that I had completely dissuaded myself from riding to Amberley before I'd even got to the Horsham start point!
Just like I always seem to be, I was late getting to Horsham Pavilions in the Park, but it didn't seem to matter because there were no riders waiting for me. That settled it, I definitely wasn't going to ride to Amberley.
Then Norman turned up.
"How'd you get past me?" he said. He'd been waiting for ages and it looked like I'd arrived just at the moment he'd decided to do a quick loop of the car park to try and spot other riders. Meantime, my brain was busy adjusting back into doing the ride to Amberley mode - now there was someone to ride with, I couldn't let them down. Norman's next comment however was to the effect that, because he hadn't been out riding for some time he would probably cut his ride a little short and maybe not go all the way to Amberley - that was enough for me to suggest that maybe we could just do a shorter, more local ride and so, basically, this weeks ride became a facsimile of last weeks.
We rode out of Horsham along Depot Road but then instead of using the bridleway I used last week, we stayed on the roads - Comptons Lane, St Leonards Road and Hammerpond Road to Doomsday Green. Norman and I were chatting about Christmas, fitness levels, skiing and foreign holidays as we rode along (although that dip and climb past Roosthole interrupted the conversation). We soon turned onto Grouse Road where a small group of more 'sporty' cyclists flashed past us. At the top end of the road, Norman and I parted - I headed to Pease Pottage and home, Norman retraced our route back to Horsham. So once again, the ride hadn't been what was originally planned, but Hey! I got back in time to wrap up some presents we then took to the family party we were going to ( and I got there on time!!).
Happy New Year everybody, hope to see you on one of our upcoming rides.
The next ride, on Sunday January 8th, is another of our "introductory" rides open to members and non-members alike. It will start from Three Bridges Station at 10:00 hrs and, depending on who turns up, will be an easy ride either out along the Worth Way or head north on cycle tracks and quiet lanes to Redhill Aerodrome. The plan is for the ride to last just a couple of hours and get us back to Crawley in time for lunch. Why not come along and kick-start that New Years fitness resolution into action?
Just like I always seem to be, I was late getting to Horsham Pavilions in the Park, but it didn't seem to matter because there were no riders waiting for me. That settled it, I definitely wasn't going to ride to Amberley.
Then Norman turned up.
"How'd you get past me?" he said. He'd been waiting for ages and it looked like I'd arrived just at the moment he'd decided to do a quick loop of the car park to try and spot other riders. Meantime, my brain was busy adjusting back into doing the ride to Amberley mode - now there was someone to ride with, I couldn't let them down. Norman's next comment however was to the effect that, because he hadn't been out riding for some time he would probably cut his ride a little short and maybe not go all the way to Amberley - that was enough for me to suggest that maybe we could just do a shorter, more local ride and so, basically, this weeks ride became a facsimile of last weeks.
We rode out of Horsham along Depot Road but then instead of using the bridleway I used last week, we stayed on the roads - Comptons Lane, St Leonards Road and Hammerpond Road to Doomsday Green. Norman and I were chatting about Christmas, fitness levels, skiing and foreign holidays as we rode along (although that dip and climb past Roosthole interrupted the conversation). We soon turned onto Grouse Road where a small group of more 'sporty' cyclists flashed past us. At the top end of the road, Norman and I parted - I headed to Pease Pottage and home, Norman retraced our route back to Horsham. So once again, the ride hadn't been what was originally planned, but Hey! I got back in time to wrap up some presents we then took to the family party we were going to ( and I got there on time!!).
Happy New Year everybody, hope to see you on one of our upcoming rides.
The next ride, on Sunday January 8th, is another of our "introductory" rides open to members and non-members alike. It will start from Three Bridges Station at 10:00 hrs and, depending on who turns up, will be an easy ride either out along the Worth Way or head north on cycle tracks and quiet lanes to Redhill Aerodrome. The plan is for the ride to last just a couple of hours and get us back to Crawley in time for lunch. Why not come along and kick-start that New Years fitness resolution into action?
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