Camelia Botnar Ride

On a bright and frosty morning we duly arrived at Three Bridges Station and caught sight of a couple of cyclists waving at us from the far side of the taxi rank. It was Anton and Norman holding mugs of hot drinks and tucking into burgers. Frank (in a panic) rushed across to spread the news; Pat had just received a text to say The Galley Café at Ardingly would be opening especially for us. “No problem,” announced Anton “I’ll be ready for something else by then!”

By 09:30 eight riders had assembled at the starting grid – Peter and Marion on their tandem, John C and John V, the hungry Anton and Norman, and of course Frank and Pat.

After the customary wait for any possible late arrivals, we set off. A brisk climb on Balcombe Road warmed us up (especially Pat who peeled of a mass of clothing for Frank to use as ballast in his panniers). On past Worth Abbey and onto Back Lane there were stunning views across the Abbey’s grounds.

We swooped down to the Reservoir, which, being less than half full, looked really strange, then we ‘dug in’ for the climb. Norman, on his multi-geared full suspension mountain bike, decided walking was the best course of action (well he did have a headache).

The café was warm and inviting – almost too warm after the climb, so most of us shed a layer or two. Over coffee and cakes we discussed the merits of the Sunday Press, concluded there weren’t any and put Murdoch to rights.

We said goodbye to Anton, who was heading home for a well earned rest after excess mileage the previous day, and the group continued in a westerly direction, past Ardingly College towards Cuckfield. The bright sunshine warmed us as the morning wore on and, all around us; we noticed the sights and sounds of spring. Crocuses, snowdrops and a few daffodils, many birdcalls, the most distinctive being the great tits’ really shrill spring call, which always sounds like a cross between an alarm clock and a squeaky wheelbarrow!

We crossed over the A23 near Bolney and followed a series of lovely quiet lanes (well, lovely apart from the potholes!) and eventually picked up the A281 just North of Cowfold. A short hop on the A272 brought us to our destination Camelia Botnar Garden Centre.

Shock, horror and dismay - a sign outside said “Bistro full for Sunday Lunch”. We hadn’t thought it would be necessary to book! Whilst we stood outside discussing alternative catering arrangements, Marion went in and managed to negotiate a table for us! Well done, Marion. We piled in and ordered our lunches which we all enjoyed – they even sell beer and cider for those who were missing the customary pub stop (sadly they had run out of Old Speckled Hen).

Our route home took us through Maplehurst, and a few more hills, where Norman said goodbye and headed towards to Horsham. We continued on our planned route (politely declining John V’s offer of a detour with more hills!) up to Handcross via Lower Beeding and Plummers Plain. Then home via Pease Pottage and K2. Total mileage at Oriel School was 39.7.

Frank & Pat

Here's a link to Google Maps for the route:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=205480741451912466805.0004b9e334fd20a7dd6e8

Next weeks ride will be on SATURDAY 3rd March. Held in conjunction with Fair Trade Horsham, it will be an easy ride. Meet 10.45 outside Esquires coffee shop (in the Forum Plaza, near Sainsburys) for an 11.00 start. Back by 12.30. Families welcome especially children if accompanied by an adult. Any enquiries can be directed to Barbara@horshamandcrawleyctc.org.uk

The Countryman

It was a little bit like coming out of hibernation today. It’s been the brightest day we’ve had for a few weeks now. As there was no ride leader allocated for today’s ride I wondered if anyone would turn up, but was pleased to see Anton and Norman already in the café when I got there. We decided on our route to the Countryman and as we set off we were joined by John C.

We left Horsham via Depot Road and turned off at Domesday Green so we could cut through and cross the Brighton Road to head down Sedgwick Lane to Maplehurst. By this time there was hardly any ice left on the road and after a couple of miles Anton had to take off some layers as it was quite pleasant in the sun. As we passed through Maplehurst I remarked that I would be glad when those steep hills would be behind us and we could settle into some easier riding.

The wind didn’t seem to be too much of a problem all the time we were heading south. We crossed the A272 without much delay and continued on along Littleworth Lane to Partridge Green. We soon arrived at Partridge Green, turning right and then left along the B2135 towards Ashurst. We took the right turn along School Lane and made our way towards Dial Post. Although there was a fair bit of gravel and other debris on the ground it wasn’t too wet and within a few minutes we were at the A24. Three of us got across really easily but Anton took a little longer, but it gave me a chance to have a breather.

We then wondered how far it was to our lunch stop. Norman asked if anyone had a chronometer, to which Anton replied ‘What’s that?’ None of us really knew how far it was but we arrived at the pub dead on 12. Unfortunately they weren’t taking orders for food till 12.30 but once ordered it came very quickly and was all very good.

After about an hour we decided it was time to face the cold and set off for home. By this time the wind seemed to have strengthened significantly and was head on which after a good lunch was a bit of a nuisance. The ride back was uneventful, We went back via Dragons Green, Marlpost Road to Bax Castle. We said good bye at the top of Tower Hill; John and Anton making their way back to their cars and Norman and I heading back to Littlehaven.

We covered about 26 miles, not as much as advertised but enough I think after a relatively inactive few weeks.

Next weeks ride starts from Three Bridges station at 09:30 hrs. Frank has got an interesting ride lined up for us with elevenses at Ardingly and a late lunch/early pm tea at Camelia Botnar, Cowfold. The easy loop home will pass near Horsham on the way back to Crawley.

Easy Worth Way Ride

Well, I have ridden my bike every day during this extreme cold weather and snow, usually following more major roads rather than the usual ‘back-doubles’. And we had several people who had emailed about joining us on Sunday for a morning ride down the Worth Way. But when I got up we had got the ‘freezing rain’ weather resulting in sheet ice on surfaces, particularly the non-main roads. So I texted the people most likely to ride and discovered that all but one had already decided not to ride. Sorry to our main ‘Iron Man’ Anton, who was already on his way to Three Bridges, but we must avoid any ice related incidents on club rides. I did attend the start, and the main roads were fine, but no other takers arrived. The weather is improving now and hopefully we will have a good attendance next Sunday starting at 10.00 at Horsham Leisure centre. We will be riding to the Countryman at Shipley which was the destination of the very first Horsham and Crawley CTC ride over 25 years ago. It is an easy ride and we hope to see you there.

Peter Smith

Snow - F'all

It snowed this weekend ("Did it?" I hear you cry).

I didn't turn up for the start of the ride and I haven't heard that anyone else did.

Because of the snow I'd only had about two hours sleep - my girls had been to Brighton on Saturday evening and were stuck on the A23 at Handcross Hill on the way back. Even though they're no longer children, I can't help but worry, hence no sleep until they were safely home.

Not cycling meant that I could enjoy my Granddaughters first experience of snow and I took her out on a toboggan, built a snowman and threw snowballs with her - she loved it.

Next weeks ride is one of our regular Introductory Rides. It will start from Three Bridges Station at 10:00 hrs and will be a very easy loop suitable for all abilities with the aim being to finish at midday. Obviously, if the snow and ice are still around, the itinerary will be subject to change - watch this blog and/or our website for last minute information.