Joining me at Horsham Pavilion in the Park were Pete E and Norman. As the main objective of the day was to maximise viewing of the aerial displays, I'd decided on a quick route down to Shoreham. We left Horsham on Kerves Lane then went on to Copsale, Maplehurst, Littleworth, Partridge Green and Steyning. Here we took Maudlin Lane which becomes first Annington Road and then Coombes Road before crossing the A27 and then using the old Toll Bridge to cross the River Adur.
The plan had been to then ride up Mill Hill and view events from the hillside up there, but we decided to just sit on the riverbank instead (as it was closer to the pub!).
Although it was cloudy, there was (just) enough space for the aerial displays to proceed and we enjoyed several breathtaking demonstrations of beautiful planes, both old and new. However, sitting still on the riverbank we were getting quite cold so we decided a visit to the pub was in order. We managed to get a table by a window and so could enjoy our beers whilst continuing to enjoy the flying displays.
Unfortunately, the star of the show, the Vulcan XH558 was scheduled too late in the day for us to wait and we were probably back home before it occupied the airspace over Shoreham.
To get home we decided to use the Downs Link - none of us had used it for some time, so it made sense to check it out once more. It was good and dry and we followed it all the way up to Christs Hospital. Here we used the bridleway north to Broadbridge Heath and then back into Horsham over the golf course. We'd been travelling at a pretty brisk pace back up the Downs Link and I was feeling tired so decided to use the main road back to Crawley. It wasn't too bad and I employed a defensive riding technique I learnt on a cycling course in London: by looking uncertain and as though you're about to do something unexpected (like a turn), you make motorists notice you and they give you a bit more space. The trouble is, you have to do this for every vehicle you hear approaching and it does get a bit wearing looking over your shoulder and doing random arm movements, still, at least I got safely home.
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