North East of Crawley

Anton reports:

Having reviewed the route and gone over it the previous weekend I decided that an easy/medium ride it was not, and therefore asked Bob to communicate the fact to the members.  Barbara informed me that a new member, who had previously done our morning rides, was interested. Unfortunately Mike (sorry if I've got the name wrong) was out late Saturday and never got the message.

With a number of riders away, the harder ride and forecast for heavy showers, I was not expecting many at the start. Running late myself I drove to TBR, only to be later owing to a flat front wheel which I managed to repair quickly. At least I had the track pump in the car...

Mike was waiting when I finally arrived at the start, and explained that he'd not heard my voicemail, but was willing to give the ride a try, although he explained that he was only just getting back into cycling. I decided that I would curtail the hilly part of the ride and see how things went.

Leaving TBR and going towards Worth we soon left the main road to descend Old Hollow and head towards Copthorne and Copthorne Bank towards Smallfield. For once the traffic lights on the B2037 were in our favour and we were approaching Smallfields, before turning onto the narrow Cross Lane.  At the cross roads with Plough Road we turned right and headed through Horne, after which the first and only shower of the day occurred. Thankfully by the time I had got my rain top out it stopped. (It was only on driving home after the ride that the heavens opened).

After Horne we headed towards Blindley Heath and the first real climb of the day; Tilburstow Hill Road.  Luckily it was not the whole hill since we turned right part way up, before descending and crossing the A22.

Once across the A22 we headed towards Tandridge and Hurst Green. We arrived at the alternative pub stop before 11:00, so pressed on past Hurst Green station and the start of the hills. However I decided to see if we could get back to Lingfield to eat, so continued East along the base of the sandstone ridge until Pains Hill, where we turned South through Merle Common on Grants Lane. This is a very pleasant area to cycle. Arriving at Haxted Road near the Mill, we turned West towards Lingfield and food. Having tried the first pub we encountered only to find it not yet open and only serving three course meals anyway, we carried on to the centre of Lingfield and the welcome sight of The Greyhound - a friendly pub we have used before.  Mike certainly enjoyed his bangers and mash there. 

After lunch we continued towards Blindley Heath and the A22. After a short ride South on the A22 we soon turned right and started retracing our outward journey to Copthorne, Old Hollow and Worth and a diversion through Maidenbower where Mike left the ride and I continued to TBR.

Total distance 59km or 36.9miles

Hopefully Mike enjoyed the route and wasn't too traumatised............



Thanks Anton, sounds like it was a nice ride and certainly drier than many of us expected.

Next weeks ride is Very Easy: we meet at Three Bridges Station at 09:30 to ride the short distance to Broadfield Stadium and see the Historic Commercial Vehicles make a pitstop there on their annual London to Brighton Run. Having inspected the variety of vehicles on display and perhaps indulged in some light refreshments, we will then perhaps slipstream a fire engine, charabanc or lorry up Pease Pottage Hill and go for a short ride afterwards.

At 13:00hrs we will have the Q3 Runslist Meeting at Gordons House. Here we will work out which rides we will be doing in July, August and September. All members are welcome, so come along and get your favourite ride on the list or volunteer to lead someone else's or suggest something we haven't done before - make your club work for you. It's usually good fun and Gordon is a wonderful host who keeps us well fed and watered - all for just a small donation to charity.