DA Picnic at Wisborough Green

John C kindly volunteered to lead this ride and when I turned up at Horsham Pavilions in the Park he was already there along with John V. It was good to see them both and as we were chatting a fourth rider, namely Pete E, turned up. We stayed in the cafe as the tail end of a heavy shower wore itself out and then we were off. Pete led us through Horsham and out on the Worthing Road to Tower Hill. The road surface showed evidence of the recent shower but, as we headed down Two Mile Ash Road so the heavens opened again. On with the waterproofs and shelter under a tree as the worst passed overhead.

Then we carried on through Barns Green and up Valewood Lane. John next led us up New Road and right onto the A29 for a short run up to the first left. As we negotiated this fast and busy road I noticed a rather battered Ford Ka sat in the field on my left - judging by the hole in the hedge and the state of the car, it looks like it had rolled over a couple of times before coming to rest pointing back in the direction from whence it came. The first left is Okehurst Lane and when we reached the far end we realised that we were going to arrive at Wisborough Green too early. So we decided to add a loop to the north and headed up to The Blue Ship at The Haven. Here we turned left then right and carried on up to the A281 at Bucks Green. Next we headed over to Tismans Common but had to stop as JC had a puncture. As we stood around watching John replace his tube, we could see the clouds were getting thicker and greyer - hurry up John!

Back on the road we were overtaken by a couple of "yoofs" in a car who shouted at us and threw something out of the car as they passed. Judging by the standard of driving I understand why young male drivers have to pay so much for car insurance. To be honest, I was half expecting to find them wrapped around a tree somewhere along Drungewick Lane!

However, we reached the end of the lane without comng across any scene of carnage and as we were now nearly there, JV and myself upped the pace a bit and arrived at the Green just a few minutes after twelve.There were a couple of riders already there and then the others rolled in. The sun was now shining and there were some 14 of us all having a picnic. I popped across to the pub and brought back a rather nice pint of Doom Bar to wash down my egg mayonaise sandwiches, chorizo, cheese and tomatoes. Very nice. This means that, with only one more DA Event to go, we're in the lead for the trophy. So come on everyone, a good turnout for the Arun Crossings on September 2nd should guarantee a win for us.

After an enoyable time chatting with our colleagues from the Arun and Adur and Bognor and Chichester sections, we headed back home. As there was just the four of us and we're all confident on the road, we used the A272 to and through Billingshurst before taking the left turn onto Wooddale Lane. This lane is so quiet that there's a green verge along the middle of much of it. After this we retraced our outward route back to Horsham where we said goodbye to Pete leaving the two Johns and I to use Forest Road through Roffey and Colgate to Pease Pottage. A quick burn down a very quiet A23 to K2 and a few minutes later I was home. My mileage for the last three Sunday rides has been 101, 65 and now 48  and I'm starting to feel fitter.

Next weeks ride is a Beginners Ride starting from Three Bridges Station at 10:00hrs. Led by Pete S it will be an easy ride suitable for practically everyone and open to members and non-members alike. The weather forecast is suggesting good weather, so come out and have an enjoyable couple of hours out and about on your bike.