Cat and Canary, Henfield

Tracks and trails. On with the knobblies - yes, I know it's dry enough for slicks but knobblies are more relaxing and can face anything.

I met up with Malcolm by the shops and we headed over to Horsham via Pease Pottage, our tyres humming along on the Tarmac. Waiting at HPP were ride leader Gordon, Michael, Adam and Frank. 

The route took us through Horsham and out onto the Pedlars Way. It was fun climbing up through the woods and I found it slightly easier than usual. After this we headed down to Copsale and the Downs Link. We made fast and easy progress and were soon at Partridge Green. Here we turned into the Lock Estate and made our way through on the tracks and bridleways before emerging on the lane by the Old Barn Garden Centre. 

We headed south and then, where the lane does a sharp left turn, we took the bridleway - I'd used this right of way many years ago and it was appalling then, now however it is in good nick with a minimal amount of horse related damage. 

On reaching the lane at the other end, we turned left and headed east, crossing over the B road and taking a bridleway down past the farm before turning right and  using a new (to me) bridleway that took us up onto the levee and along the river until we reached the Downs Link. Now it was just a case of heading north to Henfield and then pulling up at the Cat and Canary for lunch.

Shortly after, we were joined by Mick, Pete E and John V followed a few minutes later by Adrian, so we had quite a lively lunch with plenty of discussion about cycling and other things.

For the ride home we broke into two groups - one going by road and the other continuing up the Downs Link. I enjoyed the Downs Link (I'm looking forward to our Downs Link in a weekend rides in late August). At Copsale we were back on Tarmac and made our way north to Sedgwick Lane and up to the A281. Here the Horsham crew turned left and the rest of us (the Crawley crew) headed on through Doomsday Green before hitting the bridleway into St. Leonard's Forest at Roost Hole car park. We didn't see Mick Mills or his opponent as we headed up Mick Mills Race - nor did we see any deer like we often do here. on reaching the Forest Road we headed right, through Colgate (the Dragon is open again) and carried on to Pase Pottage. here we said goodbye to Gordon and plunged into the top corner of Tilgate Forest. The route I use is one I've been riding for many years now and although it's character is essentially unchanged the trees are all noticeably larger than they were.

We stopped off in the middle of the park and enjoyed an ice cream before having a quick blast across the park and along the dam. From here we sped down past the Golf-driving range and emerged bu the Cheese houses in Furnace Green. What a lovely ride - thanks Gordon.

Rendezvous Ride

I'd cheekily set this club ride up as a rendezvous ride so that I could take part even though I was doing the London to Brighton Bike Ride for the BHF!


The idea was that we could all work out our own routes and just meet at the Ardingly Inn for lunch. In the end, only Ros and myself turned up, but the food was good and I was surrounded by my family (celebrating fathers day) and some friends, one of whom, Kevin was riding the L to B with me.

Crawley Family Bike Ride

As ride leader I was pretty nervous about this event - an unknown number of riders with an unknown range of cycling abilities and an unknown number of helpers to marshal it. I'd tried to think of the potential problems and how I was going to deal with them but in spite of the preparation, I was still worried as we gathered outside Oriel School. However, the weather conspired against a large turnout by raining at just the right time to discourage potential riders. One thing I hadn't planned for was that one of the cyclists was on a very low-slung hand-cycle, but after a few minutes thought and discussion with him, we'd identified the potential hazard points and had a plan to deal with them.

The numbers slowly built up to 21 until it was time to go. I gave a quick introduction and description of the route, Gordon kindly did the safety briefing and then it was time for a group photo before we headed off through Maidenbower and up to The Worth Way. With the best part of fifty years age difference in the group, I took it nice and steady with frequent stops to regroup and point out things of interest. I had plenty of experienced riders to help marshal us and keep us safe - we even tried a little bit of bicycle maintenance at times as we tried to cure a squeaky disc brake on one of the bikes.


The rain had given up before we set off and the route was really quite dry, so we made steady progress with the marshals doing a good job at the few road crossings we had to negotiate. On the roads of Crawley Down we kept together fairly well and after a breather by the pond, we all carried on towards East Grinstead.


I was hoping we would arrive in time to see a steam engine run in over the viaduct but we just missed it and only the first few riders managed to see the loco whilst it was in the station. We parked the bikes in the car park where the old High-level railway station was and then walked down, past the modern station and on to the Bluebell Railway Station. Here most of the riders enjoyed refreshments in the café located in an old railway carriage. There was plenty of happy conversation and enthusiasm amongst the riders. Thanks must go to Malcolm and Anton for staying with the bikes and ensuring they would be safely there for our return trip.


Heading back from East Grinstead meant that the route was slightly downhill and everyone was enjoying themselves and travelling at a pretty good pace. We were in several small groups, each of which was chatting as they rode along and all was right with the world.


Then we had the only incident of the day as an experienced rider (no names) managed a slowmotion fall. A quick check revealed no injury  - not even a scratch or bruise and it certainly amused the rest of us!


Arriving back at Oriel School I accounted for everybody and wished them all a safe journey home before heading home myself to a nice relaxing cup of tea and slice of cake.

Jack and Jill, Clayton

Mid-June: should be nice and warm, just right for riding in shirtsleeves. Well, er, no!     Malcolm and I met up at the local shops and rode over to Horsham Pavilions in the Park where we were joined by seven others: Anne, Anton, Corinne, Ken, Michael, Norman and Pete. The cloud cover was pretty thick and even looked like it wanted to rain as we headed out past the Salvation Army HQ to Depot Road. The joy that is Hammerpond Lane then unfolded beneath our wheels. Highlights being the climbs at Roosthole and the two either side of Grouse Road (not). Regrouping/catching our breath at the Wheatsheaf crossroads, we watched a chap setting up some route indicators for the 'Etape de Sussex' which was due to pass through in a couple of hours. 

We carried on, turning South at Slaugham Pond, climbing to Warninglid where we turned left and then took the next lane heading south once more. As we ground up the hill someone queried whether the ride was actually "medium" as I had rated it. I defended my corner by pointing out that, although, yes, this was the fifth hill (who counts these things?), the mileage was actually quite short at about 18 miles with in excess of two hours to complete it. Other than the climbing aspect, the lane was very pleasant as was the next one, Jeremy's Lane, where Norman nearly fell off his bike trying to warn us that the entire width of the road was covered in potholes.

We crossed over the A23 just north of the Bolney Stage and were now onto some delightful lanes in what I shall call "Anton Country". With the glowering cloud and thick overhead vegetation, it was hard work seeing where the road went on some of these lames - I almost took my sunglasses off 😎

We crossed the A272 without any bother and soon after crossed the Burgess Hill link road just as easily. I understand some plant watering occurred at this point, but I'm too much of a gent to mention names.

At Goddards Green, Anton pointed out that this was the area where he'd had his icy road induced memory loss incident a few years back - I determined that we'd visit the actual scene on the return journey. After misreading my route instructions but fortunately being corrected by Anton, we arrived at Hurstpierpoint College - amazingly enough this was the first time I'd ever seen it! It's big and it's flintnapped, how could I miss it? Not far to go now and with a right then left we headed down past The Danny (a big house that I believe hosted some important meeting either during or after the Second World War. This lane looks like it's about to head straight up the scarp of the South Downs, but no, it turns east and takes us to the pub!


We were a little bit early so I used the time up by showing everyone the castellated Clayton railway tunnel entrance. We waited there, watching for a train to come out of the tunnel, but none came - well not until we'd got fed up and had turned our backs on it!! I suggested we could pop over the road and have a quick look at Clayton Church but everyone had headed off along the wrong road before I could cross the road to join them and I had to chase them down over the next mile - that was the fastest any of them had ridden all morning! Anyway, we had a quick look at the church but as a service was in full swing we decided not to go in for some sightseeing - besides which, the pub was now open.


All the tables inside the pub seemed to be reserved so we sat outside and enjoyed some fine ale and food. We were then joined by the Bognor Chichester riders who had been sat inside.


Edwin and co. joined us for the first few miles of the return journey as we headed back past Hurstpierpoint College and down the lane where Anton had his icy accident a few years back. The lanes were very nice and, having crossed over the A23 we soon arrived at Wineham where the Bognor/Chichester crew headed south and we headed north.


We had a couple of climbs as we passed Bolney went through Warninglid and carried on to Slaugham Pond. Here Ken took the short route back to Crawley to get home to see his son who'd fallen of his bike earlier. The rest of us retraced the morning route as far as Grouse Road where the Crawley trio turned right and the Horsham quintet carried on west.


I still reckon todays ride was "Medium" - it had quite a few hills but was only a mere 36 miles or so.....


Our next ride is on Saturday 20th June and is the Family Bike Ride starting from Oriel School in Maidenbower. I would appreciate as many members turning up as possible so that you can help marshal this ride along the Worth Way to East Grinstead. If you don't want to marshal, take part anyway, just to impart your experience into the body of riders.

Balcombe Cafe

Excellent ride, led by Gordon, hilly in places but enjoyable mix of roads and tracks.