Within minutes I was joined by Mike, Barbara, Ken, Pete E and Val. I also received a text telling me Gordon was on his way. We waited and waited for Gordon but no sign, so we decided I would continue to wait for him and Pete would start leading everyone else on the route. A few minutes passed by and Gordon arrived - his watch was some 50 minutes slow and he thought he was arriving on time! He and I set off in pursuit, down past the Council Offices, left at the first set of lights and left at the second set of lights. Under the railway and right into Queensway - still no sign of the others. Now we turned left onto the Pedlars Way which took us through an old farmyard, across a river and then uphill along the side of a wood. Gordon was fairly flying up the hill, I was just gasping, but at the top we caught up with the others. Carrying on we encountered what would be the worst surface of the day as we followed the bridle path along what is a private road. We next turned right onto Coltstaple Lane and then left and left again into Jackrells Lane. The cycling was very pleasant in the glorious sunshine.
We continued south and were soon at Copsale where we sadly noticed that the pub is looking more and more like a private house even though the pub sign is still standing. We were now on the Downs Link and the trees were giving us some protection from the sun. The going was fairly smooth and, as we were ahead of time, I decided to have a stop at West Grinstead. We pulled up at the railway carriage which advertised cold drinks, chocolate and biscuits but when we checked, they didn't have nearly enough for all seven of us. So we went to the nearby Orchard restaurant. Gordon very kindly treated us all to a drink and a cake (an apology for being late he said) and we had a very pleasant break sat in the sunshine in the garden. Back on our bikes we continued south, past a nice ripe cornfield and on into Partridge Green. Val was pleased to make it up the sharp slope onto the road without dismounting. After a short spell on the road it was back offroad travelling between a pair of hedges and then through a gate into an open field. To the right of us we could see a pill box - it would have had control of the river crossing that the railway afforded but would have been difficult to get to and from as it seems to be all exposed!
Another couple of miles further and bang on 12 midday we pulled up at the lunch halt, the Cat and Canary in Henfield. As all the outside tables were in the full sun, we found a table indoors in a nice airy corner and ordered our food and drink. My nice cold cider was just what the doctor ordered and my bacon, sausage and onion baguette was just right too. Just then Adrian arrived. Although just down the road from him, Adrian hadn't visited this pub for some time but he was soon settled down with a pint and regaling us with stories and information. It was great seeing Adrian again but all too soon it was time for us to start our return journey. We retraced our steps back up the Downs Link, through Partridge Green, past West Grinstead and then we kept on it past Copsale and under the A24 to Southwater. Here we stopped for a breather and an ice cream. By now the sun was having a positively soporific effect on me but I was jerked from my reverie as everyone got up, ready to get going again. We carried on through Southwater, across the field and on along the Downs Link, past the Bax Castle (which sounded quite busy) and on to Christs Hospital. I carried on ahead, intending to film everyone riding past me at the next junction but when I got there, the battery had run out in my camera!
We now said goodbye to Michael as he carried on to Rudgwick but we left the Downs Link and headed towards Broadbridge Heath on a bridle way. It wad a slight diversion through the building works but then we arrived at Tesco and Pete led us over the footbridge and into Horsham. We headed through the southern suburbs and then past the cricket ground to emerge by St Marks Church. From here it was but a short ride to the park where we said good bye to Pete and Val. The rest of us headed towards Roffey where Barbara turned off. Now it was just the three Crawley blokes the pace quickened up - and I shot out the back! I tried my best to keep up but every time the road headed up I started blowing and the gap got bigger. I regained their wheels on the downhill through Colgate but then lost them again past Cottesmore. We next became a trio at Pease Pottage but once across the Marie Vescoe crossing we said goodbye to Gordon. Ken powered down the hill and I slipstreamed him nice and tight, even though we were hitting 38mph+ Ken was the next departee and then finally I arrived home at about 4pm with less than 40 miles on the clock and a big smile on my face.
Next weeks ride is the next of the DA events - The Two Weald Ride. Featuring four different 25 mile loops all starting/finishing at Wisborough Green. As usual, refreshments will be available courtesy of Pat and Frank with their camper - please bring a homemade cake for us to sell (if you can). The camper will be there between 10:00 and 16:00 so you can have a cuppa before starting a ride and one when you get back - luxury! However, if you want to do all four loops I'd suggest starting the first one by about 08:00, starting the second by about 10:30, the third by 13:30 and the fourth by about 16:00. The maps and route instructions are available on our website
maps: http://handc-ctc.tripod.com/twowealdmap.doc
route instructions: http://handc-ctc.tripod.com/two_weald_route_instructions.doc
Printed copies will be available in the camper. If the weather is as good as this week, it will be a truly great day for cycling around some absolutely beautiful routes in the heart of the Sussex countryside. I hope to see lots of you there...
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