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