Anniversary Ride

Half past eight on a Sunday morning - I wanted to be in bed snuggled up to a warm woman, but no, I was out on my bike on a crisp morning and riding into a chilly wind. The nice blue sky and fluffy clouds wouldn't have been out of place in summertime but the temperature shouted that it was still winter. I plodded along the Forest Road with the wind testing the seams of my top and trying to sneak up my sleeves. I knew I was going to be late and as I passed the Rusper Road so my phone lit up with a "Where are you?" text from Anton.  I didn't bother stopping to answer as I was only a couple of minutes away. Anton was waiting with Norman and Malcolm - everyone else had dropped out. We waited a few minutes in case of stragglers then Anton led us away - across the golf course where we encountered a large group of dog walkers (I think they had been taking part in a protest about some potential development in the area).

Byfleets Lane and Strood Lane were both resurfaced last year but are breaking up terribly now - an indictment of the West Sussex road maintenance programme if ever there was one. Anton next took us up Rowhook Hill, then across to Cox Green and into Rudgwick. We stopped every now and again so that Anton could phone the pub to let them know there weren't as many of us as he'd provisionally booked for. However, he was unable to get through in spite of trying on at least half a dozen occasions. We crossed the A281 and headed towards The Haven before turning south opposite the Blue Ship. We followed Rowner Road all of its length, enjoying it's generally downhill disposition, then followed the A272 into Billinghurst. Anton was getting into his stride now and led us South, over the railway and down to the B2133. We whistled along in a compact line until we eventually turned North up Spear Hill and on to Broomers Corner. Now it was but a short ride to the lunch stop at The Countryman. 

The landlord seemed a bit grumpy that there were only four of us but we settled down and enjoyed some good food and drink. The pub was not busy and put a lie to the landlords claim that he'd had to turn away business to accommodate us. I suspect that we won't be visiting The Countryman again for quite a while.

Anton gave us choice of routes back to Horsham and we plumped for the shortest. From Shipley we crossed over the A272, through Dragons Green and on up to the Bax Castle. Not long after we arrived back in Horsham and dispersed back to our homes.

Our next ride is a Beginners Ride, starting from Three Bridges at 10:00hrs. Pete E will lead us along the Crawley Horsham cycle route and then across to the Strawberry Fields cafe for refreshments before returning to Three Bridges.