The Crawley 100

Each year we stage a 100 mile ride - as befits the name of our club we start it at either Crawley or Horsham. This year it was a Crawley start. The current route was devised by Mick a few years ago and has had just a couple of minor adjustments since

One hundred miles is a pretty intimidating distance, so in recent weeks I had been talking to fellow club members and trying to encourage participation in the event at a level people were comfortable with - ride part of it, half of it, join us at a refreshment stop, wave as we ride past - whatever suited. I was very pleased to be met by six riders (Pete S, Malcolm, Ken, Anton, Pat and Frank) as I pulled up at Three Bridges Station at the unearthly time of 7 am! Mick had intended coming over by train but due to a cancellation had to rejig and arranged to meet us at Doomsday Green.

So, we set off through Furnace Green and Tilgate to K2 and the first climb of the day, up Pease Pottage Hill. The roundabout was very busy with cars queuing to get into the car boot sale so it was very easy and a lot safer than usual to negotiate. Everyone enjoyed the fast ride down Grouse Road, although Hammerponds Lane was less well received. My timetable said that we should be at the Doomsday Green/A281 crossroads between 07:45 and 08:00 - we were just 5 minutes into the window so, having met up with Pete E, Mick and Michael, we had a couple of minutes for a breather.

The roads were not very busy and the weather was just perfect for cycling as we headed on south wards to Copsale and then eastwards to Maplehurst. Here we continued east before turning south to head towards Littleworth. Pat and Frank turned north instead as they had to head for home. after Littleworth we used the A281 towards Henfield but turned left onto the B2116 before going north to Wineham. After passing the Royal Oak we turned right onto Bob Lane and a mere couple of lanes later we popped over the A23 and pulled up at the breakfast halt - the Bolney Little Chef - bang on schedule, 09:30hrs.

Here's a string of pictures Anton took to illustrate the journey so far:

http://youtu.be/Ep2CwJKiW1g

Breakfast was enjoyable and the service was impressively quick and accurate but we were still a few minutes behind schedule setting off again and the second half of the morning 50 miles had just a few hills in store for us!

The route took us on a couple of very quiet lanes east then north, across the A272 and up to Brook Green before heading east to Whitemans Green and on to Borde Hill. Copyhold Lane took us further east and then it was north to Ardingly. Here are two views of the run down to the reservoir - I tried (but failed) to put them side by side but could only put them one after the other.

http://youtu.be/RYhklX1NTnw

After the stiff climb away from the water, we carried on north and on to Turners Hill. Now it was all downhill or level to lunch and we arrived at Stepneys cafe in Maidenbower exactly at 12:30, right on schedule.

Malcolm was suffering from a bad ankle so headed home - hope it's better now Malcolm. Pete S had to get back home for a family activity so there were just six of us sitting down for lunch. however, Pete E and Michael headed straight back to Horsham (stopping off for a pleasant beer or two at The dragon in Colgate).

This left just four of us to set off for the afternoon fifty miles. The first twenty five miles were fairly level as we used NCN21 and Lonesome Lane up to Reigate and some quiet lanes westwards in the Betchworth and Leigh areas before we passed through Newdigate and arrived at Capel Church for tea.  

The tea and cake was superb but it was time to get going again. Just a few minutes later we were enjoying a very pleasant run down Weare Street but then it was the short hill into Okewoodhill. Rowhook Hill soon followed but thankfully downhill. I was getting tired by now and even though we were in Horsham I was dreading the last few miles back to Crawley. Mick had peeled off as he was close to home, leaving just Anton, Ken and myself to endure Hammerpond Lane and Grouse Road. Looking at the map I reckoned we didn't need to do the Lambs Green loop to get the mileage right but when we finally got to Pease Pottage, Ken decided he needed to go to Handcross and back to ensure his Garmin ticked over to 100 miles. Meanwhile Anton clocked up his 100 just before we got back to Three Bridges Station (he'd put in some extra distance at lunchtime by going to his car and back) and my speedo registered 100 as I cycled home from the station. 

Thanks to everyone for taking part, hope you all recovered quickly (it took me just over a day).

The next ride is on Sunday 3rd August and is a DA Event, the Picnic. We'll start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 09:30 and ride to Wisborough Green for the picnic, before returning - it should be a fairly easy 35-40 mile trip. The hardest part will be packing and carrying your picnic - mine will be crammed into my bum bag so will of necessity consist of fairly firm foodstuffs like cheese, chorizo, hard boiled egg etc.   Come on, rise to the challenge, see you on Sunday.

Newbridge Garden Centre

Mick led this ride which started from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 08:30 and was accompanied by Pete E and Michael. Mick had publicised a number of joining points but the first, at The Black Swan in Pease Pottage, had no takers. However, the second had a gaggle of riders eager to join the days cycling excitement - Malcolm, Corinne, Pete, Marian, John C, John V and Bob.

So ten of us turned into Springfield Road and for the second consecutive week the ride took us along NCN228 through Goffs Park. This time however, when we got into Gossops Green we took a right turn onto Overdene Drive and passed my old school before using the Rusper Road to get to Rusper.

From here we carried on to Capel and then took the Ockley road. A left and right over the A29 and then rounding the corner we were confronted by a Road Closed sign. Fortunately the road we wanted was open - Mole Street. This was a really nice lane that I don't think I've ridden before - I have it on video now:

At the southern end of the lane we emerged on Horsham Road in Walliswood. We carried on south and west to Ellens Green before swooping down through Rudgwick, across the A281 and on down to The Haven. Carrying on we turned left onto Stane Street for the one mile straight (actually it's probably less than half a mile) up to Hayes Lane and into Slinfold. This was the home straight now and just a few minutes later we were at the Garden Centre for lunch.

Mick had ensured they knew we were coming so that we would definitely have a table but as it happens, the cafe is so big that we had acres of space and split into an inside group and an outside group while we ate our lunches.

The  journey back took us through Broadbridge Heath up to Warnham and across to Warnham Station. We used the gated crossing rather than the subway (that saved Pete and Marian having to hoist their tandem on their shoulders).

Now our noble band split with Horsham trio turning right and the Crawley contingent turning left and up the hill past the Langhurst tip (or "recycling facility" as it is no doubt now restyled). We then took Green Lane followed by Wimland Road and Wimlands Lane to get to the Faygate Road crossroads. Here the two Johns headed north to stay on the tarmac roads and use Lambs Green to get back to Crawley whilst the rest of us were back on NCN228 and heading along the farm track atop the ridge.

After a gate the track becomes a pressed stone/mud track flashing through the woodland and down to the railway crossing into Bewbush. Crossing the tail of Ifield Mill Pond we were back in Gossops Green and heading through my childhood stomping ground back to Goffs Park. Corinne left us here, then Malcolm leaving just Pete, Marian and myself to negotiate the backstreets of Southgate and head into Furnace Green where the final split occurred and I arrived back home - ready for yet another family do!

Our next ride is our annual 100 mile ride. This year, it's our Crawley version.  It will start from Three Bridges Station at 07:00 hrs and head in an anticlockwise loop to the west and south, passing over the Doomsday Green A 281 Crossroads near Hilliers Garden Centre at about 07:45-08:00hrs. The breakfast stop will be at the Bolney Little Chef at about 09:30 hrs. From there it will head east and north to get to the lunch stop, Stepneys Cafe in Maidenbower Pavilion, Crawley, at about 12:30hrs. That will be the first 50 miles done.  The second part will start from Stepneys at about 13:30 and be another anticlockwise loop, this time to the north going through Gatwick and up to the Leigh and Brockham area before stopping for afternoon tea at Capel Church at about 16:00hrs. The final 25 miles will head west and south (taking in Weare Street) before turning east and heading back to finish at Three Bridges Station at about 19:00hrs.

Come along, even if you just want to do part of the route or share a refreshment stop. There are some wonderful lanes on the route and company always makes the riding easier.

Here are the Morning and Afternoon route maps (click on them to see full-size):

Combination Ride

The second Sunday of the month is the day of our regular Beginners Ride..this month it would start from Horsham.

At the last Runs List meeting we decided we would add a Crawley start to this ride and use it as an opportunity to get to know the Crawley to Horsham cycle route (NCN228) before meeting up with the Horsham bods and going for an easy ride as one group. 

Six of us were gathered at the Three Bridges Station start - Gordon, Pete E, Val, Malcolm, Anton and me, Bob. Then my phone rang, it was Ros and she would be with us in ten minutes. We waited, Ros turned up and off we went.

Gordon took the lead - as a Sustrans Ranger, he knows all the local cycle networks. He took us into Crawley town centre and then through Goffs Park and Gossops Green to Ifield Mill Pond. Here we crossed into Bewbush and then over the railway for the gentle climb up and onto Kilnwood Lane.  Next we used Wimlands Lane and enjoyed a fast descent to the Frog and Nightgown (sadly now closed). Just before the railway crossing we took the bridleway on the right which took us across to the Rusper Road. A  bit of zig-zagging through the North Heath area of Horsham and soon we were at Horsham Pavilions in the Park HPP), ready to meet up with anyone else coming on the ride.

This film shows the route so far:

At HPP we stopped for a coffee and were joined by Sandra and Mick. Mick had actually ridden all the way to Three Bridges for the start but missed us and had been on our tails all the way back to Horsham.

We left Horsham using the Golf Course route then headed through Broadbridge Heath to Tesco's via the underpass. From here we headed south towards Itchingfield on the Bridleway but then across to Christs Hospital to get onto the Downs Link and then to the Bax Castle for lunch.

Here's another video for that bit:

After a nice break, we remounted for the return trip. Pete led us on along the Downs Link to Southwater and then we dared ourselves to attempt a route through the middle of Southwater again - last time we failed miserably and were spat out back on the Old Worthing Road, this time we got it dead right and popped out on Southwater Street - exactly where we wanted. Then it was through Newfoundout and onto the Pedlars Way for a quick blast down through the woods and onto the mean streets of Horsham.

From the Bax Castle back to Horsham

Arriving back at HPP, we said our goodbyes and each trotted off home. I accompanied Val and Malcolm out along then A264 as far as Faygate and then left them to head for Lambs Green and on to a family party.....


Our next ride, on Sunday 20th July will be led by Mick and leave Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 08:30. It will head to Newbridge Garden Centre for lunch but pass by the Black Swan in Pease Pottage at 09:15, the Railway Inn in Crawley at 09:30 and Rusper Village at 10:00.  It will be a fairly easy, all road ride of between 25 and 40 miles (depending on where you join/leave it).  See you (somewhere) there..

The Two Weald Ride

First Sunday in July?  It must be The Two Weald Ride.

After the glorious weather of the previous weekend, I'd rather forgotten about rain, so the deluge we had on Saturday took me by surprise. Waking up on Sunday morning to thick cloud and a dampness in the air, I was initially worried that we wouldn't have many takers for this, the third DA Event of the year. However, as I travelled down to Wisborough Green I noticed that the roads were all bone-dry and that the cloud was noticeably thinning. Pulling up, I saw Frank and Pat just manoeuvring their camper van into place and my fellow H&C committee members, Pete and Barbara getting their bikes ready.




















Within minutes, several others had arrived and we had a group of ten riders set off to ride the North loop. We left Frank at the camper van complete with home made cakes and tea/coffee, ready to welcome any further entrants. By 11:00, four others had turned up and had all set out on the North loop (although one of them, Ray, had already completed the East loop having set off independently at 09:00).

Here's a 3.8 minute video of the North loop:

After a fairly quick lunch, and a natter with all the other riders, four of us set off on the South loop, followed about half an hour later by another couple - one of whom was Ray, hard man of the day, clocking up his third loop.

Here's a 3.9 minute video of the South loop:

We arrived back at Wisborough Green just after 16:00hrs and a quick check revealed that there were just two riders still out - Richard and Ray.  They pulled up at 16:30 and after a last cup of tea and slice of cake it was time for us to pack up. We presented Pat and Frank with a bottle of wine as a thankyou for using their camper van as our base and then it was time to head home.

Our next ride is a "combination" ride.  There will be an 09:30 start from Three Bridges Station which will use the Crawley Horsham Cycle Route from Crawley to Horsham (some non-tarmac sections). Then, at 11:00 hrs we will all join up with a Beginners Ride from Horsham Pavilions in the Park.  This will take us on an easy loop out to The Bax Castle for a brief refreshment stop and then continue back to Horsham. There will be some non-tarmac sections in this ride, but it will be suitable for all but the most delicate of bikes.