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.