Veteran Car Run

"Easy" it said on the runs list. That, combined with dry, if cold, weather made this a popular ride - there were ten of us at the start. We headed to the High Street via the Old Three Bridges Road, the shared use path behind the College and then The Boulevard. Having locked our bikes to some railings we realised that there were some nice new bike racks just a few yards away! The High Street was full of Veteran cars and their proud owners.

Then we retrieved our bikes and rode along with the cars as they headed through the bus station and out along Southgate Avenue. At K2 we girded our loins and started up Pease Pottage Hill. I find the easiest way up is to pick a veteran car travelling at a speed you can keep up with and tuck in behind it. As they go up the hill they tend to slow down a bit and with focussing on keeping close but safe, you find you've conquered the hill without really trying. 

Click on this link to see what I mean:   http://youtu.be/7LwS4sTefNA

I'm pleased to report that all ten of us managed to ride up the hill - excellent work folks. We carried on, riding along with the Old Crocks to Handcross where JC peeled off to do a fast run to Turners Hill. The rest of us carried on to Staplefield. Here we left the crowds behind and headed west, through Slaugham to stop for lunch at The Wheatsheaf in Plummers Plain. The wisdom of timing our rides to arrive at the lunch stop at midday was well demonstrated - we managed to get a table for all nine of us  - if we'd arrived half an hour later, we'd have been scattered at different tables throughout the pub.

The weather was still clear when we got back outside making the ride home really pleasant. We headed along Hammerpond Lane and then turned up Grouse Road. Norman and Sandra then went back to Horsham via Colgate. Gordon and Ken were next to peel off followed by Pete and Marion, then Val and finally I left Narinder to ride the last few hundred yards back to Three Bridges station.

Next weeks ride starts at 09:00 from Horsham Pavilion in the Park to attend the D.A. AGM which starts at 10.30 in Pulborough Village Hall. This will be followed by lunch at The Rising Sun, Nutbourne and will be an easy/medium ride of about 35 miles.