However, the most amazing thing about this years running of the event was ...... I was 15 minutes early getting to the start!!!! However, I wasn't the first one there: Gordon and Jacqui were sitting by the bike stands and Michael was inside having a coffee. Soon after Pete E arrived and it was time to get riding. Anton had phoned to say he was running late and would meet us at Wisborough Green. We headed out over the golf course and then, just as we turned right towards Warnham, my phone went off and John V informed me that he'd just missed us and would either catch us up, or meet us at Wisborough Green. We rode over the hill to Warnham and then up another hill out of the village. A pleasant run through woodland brought us to the A29 and a short run to the end of Weare Street for the climb up to Okewoodhill. From here we headed for Ellen's Green, Cox Green, Baynards and then down Woods Hill.
There were a lot of other cyclists out today - Cranleigh CC were out in force and there was at least one and possibly two Sportives running as well. We carried on, through Tismans Common and on to Loxwood where we turned south and then took the very pleasant Skiff Lane all the way to Kirdford Road where we only had another mile before arriving at Wisborough Green. We' d made good time and arrived there about 30 minutes earlier than our target time of midday. We commandeered a bench and I walked over the green to take some photos. Colin from the Bognor / Chichester group had just finished his elevenses at the Old Mill Cafe and I had a quick chat with him. When I got back to everyone else they all had put an extra layer on as the sun was hidden behind some grey clouds that had slipped in from the West and the wind wasn't as warm as it could be. Midday came and went, John V arrived followed shortly after by Anton but still no one from the other West Sussex member groups had shown up. We'd finished our picnics and a couple of us popped over to the pub for some quick liquid refreshment, whilst others popped to the cafe to do the same. Then, just as I was thinking about phoning Edwin, he turned up along with a few others.
It was good chatting with the other groups but the Horsham and Crawley contingent were itching to get riding again, so we said our goodbyes and set off for home. We opted for the most direct route back via Barns Green and Bax Castle. I eventually got home at about three o'clock having ridden just over 50 miles. Ironically the weather had just improved all afternoon and was roasting hot all the way back - was I glad for the large amount of tree cover Sussex affords!
Next weeks ride is a Beginners ride suitable for all riders. It starts from Three Bridges Station at 10:00 hrs and will probably be an out and back ride along the Worth Way. Afterwards (at 13:00 hrs) we will have the Q4 Runslist meeting at Frogshole Farm public house - why not have lunch there? Please come along and help us determine what rides to do during October, November and December.
No comments:
Post a Comment