Horsham at Arms Length

The weather is getting colder but we still had five riders out today. Barbara, Gordon, Ken, Norman and myself. The idea of today's ride was to set off from Crawley and do a clockwise loop around Horsham and back.

We set off through Furnace Green and Tilgate then used the underpass into Broadfield. Next was the climb up Tollgate Hill (I reckon it's harder than Pease Pottage Hill - but safer). Then, having passed through Pease Pottage, we turned into Grouse Road. At this point Barbara left us to head for home via Colgate. Grouse Road was really enjoyable as it is about three miles of generally downhill . Hammerpond Road unfortunately has a couple of hills but we soon passed them and turned left at Doomsday Green before crossing the A281 onto Sedgwick Lane. We were using familiar lanes today but not in a sequence we'd used before. The strangely named hamlet of Newfoundout led us to Southwater from where we headed to Bax Castle and then Barns Green. Looking at the clock, I reckoned we could just make the pub at midday, so I kept us going with no stops, up Valewood Lane then New Road to the A29. A driver kindly let us out onto the main road and we next turned into Okehurst Lane where we encountered a Jack Russell dog running along the road - we couldn't see an owner, but the dog had gone by before we could do anything about it. A couple of miles later we arrived at the lunch halt, The Blue Ship, where we were met by Pete who had ridden over from Horsham. Anton also arrived in spite of suffering from a cold - he drove over. I recommend the Blue Ship as the beer was very good and they do sandwiches at a very reasonable price compared to other pubs. 

After a very convivial break, supping ale, eating and enjoying the warmth of the open fire, we decided to get going again. It felt colder and we decided to head directly home via Slinfold and Broadbridge Heath. Once in Horsham, Pete and Norman peeled off leaving Gordon, Ken and myself to head back to Crawley via the Forest road. Getting back to Pease Pottage I realised that my speedo wasn't working. In spite of this I know the mileage was about 40 odd when I got home.

Next weeks ride will be a 10:00hrs start from Horsham Park Pavilion and head south to lunch at Wiston tea rooms where we may well rendezvous with Bognor and Chichester. It should be a medium rated ride but will be about 40 miles long.