Beginners Ride

"Beginners Ride" it said on the runs list but all four of the attendees were just a bit on the experienced side!

Not surprising really as the weather was cold and wet - definitely "Wintry Showers". However, Pete S led Ros, Gordon and Bob out into the less-then-encouraging weather and out on the Turners Hill Road which soon warmed us up as we climbed past Tulleys Farm to Turners Hill Church.

At the crossroads we headed straight on and enjoyed the two miles of freewheeling downhill it offered, although the cold wind and cold spray whipping across my face made me wish I had a full face helmet on! As ever it was hard work climbing up to the crossroads to turn right onto Saint Hill Road, but as there were several other cyclists around we had to grin and bear it whilst pretending it was no sweat.......

The other cyclists were taking part in an Evans organised Sportive and would be on the same route as us for the next four miles or so as we headed first to Saint Hill Green, then down and across the tail of Weirwood Reservoir (looking the fullest it has for many years), before the long drag up Legsheath Lane.

We regrouped at the crossroads, next to a refreshment point for the Sportive riders, before we turned left and headed down Priory Road and into Forest Row. The A22 through Forest Row was busy with cars but we were soon across and pulled up at the Riverview Cafe on Station Road. We recommend this cafe to anyone in the area - you'll always get a friendly welcome, the food and drink is very good and they don't throw a fit when a bunch of soaking wet cyclists suddenly turn up.

After half an hour or so drinking coffee, eating cake and chatting with each other and various other folk, we headed back out into the cold and wet.

We'd had our fill of hills getting to Forest Row, so we decided to use the Forest Way to get back home. In spite of all the recent rain and snow, the surface was firm enough to ride with slicks (as I was doing) and, in spite of all the dirt flicking up, we had no scary moments on the ride back to East Grinstead. Here, Ros left us to go home, and Pete, Gordon and myself played "dodge the p*llock in a car that doesn't know what they're doing" down the High Street and on to the station.

The station buildings have been replaced but the steps to the overbridge look the same to me and still have that awkward spacing meaning you have to really concentrate to ride up them - I'm guessing, because of course I would never ride up them ;-)

As The Worth Way is slightly downhill from East Grinstead, we were going along at a fairly brisk pace and were feeling nice and warm with just the odd cold toe or finger having a little moan. This also meant we were spraying a lot more mud and dirt everywhere making some of our gear changes a bit slower and noisier than usual. Crawley Down was soon behind us and next I knew we were at Worth. Here Pete peeled off to head for home leaving me to lead Gordon down through Maidenbower and through the tunnel into Furnace Green where I could finally pull up leaving Gordon all alone to negotiate the climb of Pease Pottage Hill to his house.

Before putting my bike away I gave it 5 minutes of attention with first a jetspray (don't spray the main bearing areas) followed by an oil spray (to repel the water). Then I needed 5 minutes attention to get the mud and other detritus off my shoes and (mainly) my lower legs.

Next weeks ride (10th February) is a Horsham Pavilion in the Park start at 10:00hrs. It will be an easy  loop to the south of Horsham calling in at the Camelia Botnar Garden Centre for refreshments and involving no more than 3 hours or so in the saddle. Go on, layer up, waterproofs on top, waterproof gloves (with extra warm liner gloves), waterproof socks and something warm on your head - you'll be able to ride with a smile on your face and an intense feeling of superiority over the oafs in the wheeled boxes!  I know I do :-)