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..
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