Half past nine came round and I was starting to think about doing the ride all by myself, then Nat and David rolled up. As we were doing the introductions Ken arrived so we had a nice compact group as we headed out through Horsham and onto the Pedlars Way. Surprisingly we found Pedlars Way to be quite wet - the river even looked like it had broken its banks at some point overnight. The climb up through the woods was as hard as usual but Nat and David managed it well. Then we had the comfort of the lanes down to Copsale before gaining the Downs Link.
The surface was good and we were averaging about 10mph so it wasn't long before we reached Partridge Green and stopped for refreshments at Stans Shack. Glancing at my phone I realised I'd missed a call and voicemail from John C. He and John V were somewhere behind us on the track, so I let them know that we would wait at Stans for them. After finishing my coffee and cake I looked up just in time to see the two Johns arrive. Now there were six of us and we carried on at a fairly good pace, chatting as we rode along. We soon passed Henfield and it wasn't long before we had to leave the rail bed and head up that tough climb along the edge of the field - it's not steep but it's always hard work.
We had a breather at the top of the field before enjoying the brisk descent along the stony track. Passing the sewage plant we were now in Bramber and just past the roundabout we came across a new bit of routing for the Downs Link. Rather than using that awkward crossing over the A road, the new route carries on south to the river, goes under the A road before heading north and west to rejoin the original route. The remaining few miles alongside the river always take longer than you think they should. But as I was riding along I had a very good view of a parachute display team - I'm hoping I've got some of their display on my bikecam.
Reaching our lunch stop, the Red Lion, just opposite the old Shoreham footbridge. We queued up for our drinks and queued up for our burgers whilst Nat and David managed to blag a table for us to sit at. The air display restarted after its lunch break with an aerobatic display featuring a propellor driven stunt plane and what looked like a radio controlled model version of the same plane. I found it well choreographed but really wanted to see (and hear) a jet plane. Next up was a Hawker Hunter - immaculately painted in camouflage colours it sped past us, turned, came back, climbed up and into a loop. As it came out I commented that it looked like it wouldn't make it - I hoped I was wrong but it disappeared behind some trees and failed to reappear. Moments later two big clouds of black smoke told what had happened
I don't remember hearing the impact, but I did notice how quiet everyone was as they realised that the plane had come down. Someone said that it had come down in an empty car park but, not having heard or seen the ejector seat go off, I feared the pilot had been lost.
We decided that it was time to start for home and split into two groups - the two Johns headed back up the Downs Link to Christs Hospital where they'd parked their car, the rest of us headed for Brighton.
As we rode along it was noticeable that traffic was backed up for about a mile into Shoreham. We crossed the harbour lock gates just in front of a large ship that only had a foot or so of space on each side in the lock and pressed on into the headwind.
Reaching Hove Lawns, Nat and David said goodbye as they were going to enjoy some time at the seaside before catching the train home. this left Ken and I to cycle onwards as far as Madeira Drive where we stopped for an ice cream.
Refreshed, we rode up the A23 and then gained the NCN20 at Patcham. It's not a bad route but the constant noise from the traffic is very wearying. I was tiring and the hill at Bolney was really hard work so I insisted on a stop at the Bolney Stage. We found a table in the shade of a tree and knocked back a pint or so of water each.
Ken had suggested that we use the Slaugham Bridleway rather than a frontal ascent of Handcross Hill and I reckon this was a good idea - it was shaded from the blazing sun and although rougher than the new tarmac I'm sure it took less of a physical toll. From there on the route was either level or down and it wasn't too long before I was home having clocked up some 60 odd miles.
Sitting at home I felt overwhelmed with sadness as I realised that the plane crash was far worse than I had initially imagined. There was also the worry that apart from my fellow riders, several people I knew - family and friends - had been in the vicinity, thankfully all safe.
Now, several days later, I want to express my sympathy for all the people directly and indirectly affected by the accident but just cannot find any form of words that seem worth putting down in writing.
Reaching Hove Lawns, Nat and David said goodbye as they were going to enjoy some time at the seaside before catching the train home. this left Ken and I to cycle onwards as far as Madeira Drive where we stopped for an ice cream.
Refreshed, we rode up the A23 and then gained the NCN20 at Patcham. It's not a bad route but the constant noise from the traffic is very wearying. I was tiring and the hill at Bolney was really hard work so I insisted on a stop at the Bolney Stage. We found a table in the shade of a tree and knocked back a pint or so of water each.
Ken had suggested that we use the Slaugham Bridleway rather than a frontal ascent of Handcross Hill and I reckon this was a good idea - it was shaded from the blazing sun and although rougher than the new tarmac I'm sure it took less of a physical toll. From there on the route was either level or down and it wasn't too long before I was home having clocked up some 60 odd miles.
Sitting at home I felt overwhelmed with sadness as I realised that the plane crash was far worse than I had initially imagined. There was also the worry that apart from my fellow riders, several people I knew - family and friends - had been in the vicinity, thankfully all safe.
Now, several days later, I want to express my sympathy for all the people directly and indirectly affected by the accident but just cannot find any form of words that seem worth putting down in writing.
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