The Horsham 100

Six fifteen on a summers day morning - easy!  Well no, I struggled to get out of the house and didn't actually meet Malcolm until 06:30.  Even then, after we'd been riding just a few minutes I realised I'd forgotten my water bottle. No matter, I'd just have to get some water on the ride.


It was trying to rain but was pleasantly warm as we travelled along the Forest Road and we were quite comfortable spinning along. But as we entered Roffey, the rain got a little heavier and was staying on the road surface so we started to get wet, mainly from the spray.


Four hardy souls were waiting at Horsham Park Pavilions - Pete, Rachel, Ken and Mick. The rain now stopped and we headed off, over the golf-course and down through Broadbridge Heath. Mick pointed us in the direction of Slinfold and we settled in to the first climb of the day. After a mile or two of the A29, we went west to The Haven and then due south opposite the Blue Ship. The roads were pretty dry now and the cycling was very pleasant. We crossed the A272 and headed down past the Limeburners Arms and on to Adversane to go back across the A29. A couple of miles later, at Broadford Bridge we turned right and started the climb of Woods Hill. As we crested, Pete realized that he had a puncture. I stayed with him to help change the tube whilst everyone carried on, down to West Chiltington and a loop to the south which then brought them up Smock Alley to the Garden Centre. Pete and I met them here having taken a short cut once Petes bike was fixed. Now we headed east then North and then east again to The Countryman at Shipley. As we were running a bit late, I chopped out the Shipley loop and we carried on to Dial Post. Here it became apparent that Pete's rear puncture had returned. He and I stopped to reflate the tyre and everyone else carried on, over the A24, past the Old Barn Garden Centre and down to Ashurst before turning north towards Partridge Green and Stans Bike Shack - the breakfast halt.  Pete and I took another short cut in order to catch up and went through the Lock Estate needing only one further stop to reflate the tyre.


At Stans, we settled down to bacon rolls and cups of tea - I took my shoes off in order to try and dry out my shoes/socks and get some warmth into my numb and frozen feet! We took the opportunity to repair Pete's puncture - this time we managed to find the cause - a small flint hiding in a crack in the tyre tread. I was particularly annoyed as I'd failed to spot it earlier despite having a really good look for it! We were joined by Anne at Stans - her plan was to ride with us to Horsham then ride back to Partridge Green to pick up her car.


The next part of the ride took us east, then down the A281 before heading east again then north through Twineham. Crossing the A272 we had a couple more climbs (including that short, sharp killer at Warninglid). Now we were on the home straight and rattled off  Hammerpond Lane quite easily - Malcolm headed home up Grouse Road having clocked up well over 50 miles - leaving the rest of us to negotiate the wilds of East Horsham and pull up at the Conservatory Café  in Horsham Park for lunch.


Well, that's 50 miles done - time to refuel and get psyched up for the second 50........


It was warm and comfortable sitting outside in the shade, chatting and people-watching. but all too soon it was time to get going again. Only three of us volunteered to try the afternoon ride - Mick, Ken and myself. We headed north through Horsham and over the bypass before tackling the climb of Old Holbrook. The hill was hard work but mainly in the shade of trees and it didn't take us long to get up to Green Lane. Heading east, we used Rusper Road and then Wimland Road before heading toward Lambs Green. As we approached the right turn I recognized the cyclist coming in the opposite direction - it was Anton on a 200k Audax ride. We stopped for a chat and found that Anton was suffering from back pain (to the extent that he only rode a few more miles before packing in). After chatting for a short while we carried on, only to stop a few yards later as Ken realised he had a puncture. At this point Mick decided to head for home and tube replaced, Ken and I carried on through Lambs Green and along Rusper Raod into Ifield. We sped through along Bonwycks Lane and then passed the end of Gatwick and into Charlwood. I'd run out of water and was tiring quickly so Ken took the lead as we went through Povey Cross and headed north. As we went up Horse hill my energy completely ran out and at the top I decided to turn for home myself. I gave Ken the route map so that he could carry on and, when we got to Stan Hill I said goodbye and headed downhill to Charlwood. As I rode along I suddenly felt sick and realised I needed to stop and recover - as luck would have it there was a pub nearby, so I popped in and recovered by having a nice cold drink of cider! Honest, it worked. Twenty minutes sitting in the shade, supping a cider worked wonders and I was reinvigorated when I got back on my bike. I rode straight from Charlwood, past Ifield Wood, through the Town Centre and arrived back home with 84 miles on the clock. About an hour or so later I received a text from Ken to say that he was safely home and had completed over 100 miles - nice one Ken. Here's a Strava screenshot he sent me:

Our next ride starts from Three Bridges Station at 09:30 on Sunday. Michael will lead us on an easy 30 mile route with a lunch stop at The Dolphin in Betchworth

The Crawley 100

Each year we stage a 100 mile ride - as befits the name of our club we start it at either Crawley or Horsham. This year it was a Crawley start. The current route was devised by Mick a few years ago and has had just a couple of minor adjustments since

One hundred miles is a pretty intimidating distance, so in recent weeks I had been talking to fellow club members and trying to encourage participation in the event at a level people were comfortable with - ride part of it, half of it, join us at a refreshment stop, wave as we ride past - whatever suited. I was very pleased to be met by six riders (Pete S, Malcolm, Ken, Anton, Pat and Frank) as I pulled up at Three Bridges Station at the unearthly time of 7 am! Mick had intended coming over by train but due to a cancellation had to rejig and arranged to meet us at Doomsday Green.

So, we set off through Furnace Green and Tilgate to K2 and the first climb of the day, up Pease Pottage Hill. The roundabout was very busy with cars queuing to get into the car boot sale so it was very easy and a lot safer than usual to negotiate. Everyone enjoyed the fast ride down Grouse Road, although Hammerponds Lane was less well received. My timetable said that we should be at the Doomsday Green/A281 crossroads between 07:45 and 08:00 - we were just 5 minutes into the window so, having met up with Pete E, Mick and Michael, we had a couple of minutes for a breather.

The roads were not very busy and the weather was just perfect for cycling as we headed on south wards to Copsale and then eastwards to Maplehurst. Here we continued east before turning south to head towards Littleworth. Pat and Frank turned north instead as they had to head for home. after Littleworth we used the A281 towards Henfield but turned left onto the B2116 before going north to Wineham. After passing the Royal Oak we turned right onto Bob Lane and a mere couple of lanes later we popped over the A23 and pulled up at the breakfast halt - the Bolney Little Chef - bang on schedule, 09:30hrs.

Here's a string of pictures Anton took to illustrate the journey so far:

http://youtu.be/Ep2CwJKiW1g

Breakfast was enjoyable and the service was impressively quick and accurate but we were still a few minutes behind schedule setting off again and the second half of the morning 50 miles had just a few hills in store for us!

The route took us on a couple of very quiet lanes east then north, across the A272 and up to Brook Green before heading east to Whitemans Green and on to Borde Hill. Copyhold Lane took us further east and then it was north to Ardingly. Here are two views of the run down to the reservoir - I tried (but failed) to put them side by side but could only put them one after the other.

http://youtu.be/RYhklX1NTnw

After the stiff climb away from the water, we carried on north and on to Turners Hill. Now it was all downhill or level to lunch and we arrived at Stepneys cafe in Maidenbower exactly at 12:30, right on schedule.

Malcolm was suffering from a bad ankle so headed home - hope it's better now Malcolm. Pete S had to get back home for a family activity so there were just six of us sitting down for lunch. however, Pete E and Michael headed straight back to Horsham (stopping off for a pleasant beer or two at The dragon in Colgate).

This left just four of us to set off for the afternoon fifty miles. The first twenty five miles were fairly level as we used NCN21 and Lonesome Lane up to Reigate and some quiet lanes westwards in the Betchworth and Leigh areas before we passed through Newdigate and arrived at Capel Church for tea.  

The tea and cake was superb but it was time to get going again. Just a few minutes later we were enjoying a very pleasant run down Weare Street but then it was the short hill into Okewoodhill. Rowhook Hill soon followed but thankfully downhill. I was getting tired by now and even though we were in Horsham I was dreading the last few miles back to Crawley. Mick had peeled off as he was close to home, leaving just Anton, Ken and myself to endure Hammerpond Lane and Grouse Road. Looking at the map I reckoned we didn't need to do the Lambs Green loop to get the mileage right but when we finally got to Pease Pottage, Ken decided he needed to go to Handcross and back to ensure his Garmin ticked over to 100 miles. Meanwhile Anton clocked up his 100 just before we got back to Three Bridges Station (he'd put in some extra distance at lunchtime by going to his car and back) and my speedo registered 100 as I cycled home from the station. 

Thanks to everyone for taking part, hope you all recovered quickly (it took me just over a day).

The next ride is on Sunday 3rd August and is a DA Event, the Picnic. We'll start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 09:30 and ride to Wisborough Green for the picnic, before returning - it should be a fairly easy 35-40 mile trip. The hardest part will be packing and carrying your picnic - mine will be crammed into my bum bag so will of necessity consist of fairly firm foodstuffs like cheese, chorizo, hard boiled egg etc.   Come on, rise to the challenge, see you on Sunday.

The Horsham 100

I can't moan - we have to run this ride when the days are long (we schedule it to take 12 hours) and it's nice to see the sun but ............by 'eck it weren't half hot on Sunday!  By mid afternoon I'd consumed over eight pints of fluids and I reckon every drop had left my body as sweat.

Four of us started from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 7am - Michael, Pete, Anton and myself. We headed out over a deserted golf course and then down through Broadbridge Heath. We carried on through the roadworks at Newbridge and along the A264 until we forked left onto Bashurst Hill. It was perfect cycling, hardly any wind, the temperature just right, almost no traffic and good company. Mick had prepared the route and it was using some nice quiet lanes. Near Barns Green we turned west and not for the only time in the ride we climbed up one of the DA Freewheel hills. Reaching the A29 we found it to be fairly busy with quite a few sporty cars on it - there was probably a do on at Goodwood. We were soon over it and then heading south on Rowner Road before using the A272 for a few yards. Heading on past the Limeburners Arms the sun was climbing higher and the temperature was doing likewise and it was still not 9am! We recrossed the A29 at Adversane and headed on before turning right at Broadford Bridge to climb Woods Hill (the second DA Freewheel hill). West Chiltington was next followed by West Chiltington Common and then the turn north up past Smock Alley.

Heading east and north and east again we arrived at The Countryman Inn but instead of going the short route from there to Dial Post, we had to put a loop in through Shipley Village - we assume this was to make the mileage up a bit. But it was not long after that, having crossed the busy A24, we pulled up at the Old Barn Garden Centre for our coffee break.

John V met us there and we had a pleasant half hour sat in the sunshine watching two of our number scoffing a fried breakfast each and being watched by a wandering Peacock!

Now there were five of us and we continued on towards Ashurst and then to Partridge Green. Resisting the urge to shortcut through the Shermanbury Estate, we headed south towards Henfield but then east on the B2116 before finally turning north towards Wineham. 

The sun was really getting into its stride now but fortunately we were negotiating the Forest Ridges and were mainly in the shade of trees - except that is for that tiny, nasty little climb into Warninglid! We needed a brief stop in the shade in front of The Half Moon to cool down and recover our breath, then we had a pleasant, mainly downhill run to Slaugham Pond. Now we were on the home run to lunch and we coped pretty well with the climbs that the Hammerpond Road threw at us. John headed back to Crawley as we turned into Depot Road and just a few minutes later we arrived at our lunch stop, the Park Cafe. We managed to find a shady table outside and enjoyed a relaxing hour eating, chatting and watching the world go by.

Pete and Michael decided that the mornings 50 miles was enough and this left just Anton and myself to carry on and clock up the afternoon 50. We decided to do it as an anti-clockwise loop as we fancied it looked slightly easier, the trouble is, this meant that as soon as we left Horsham we had a very stiff climb up Old Holbrook . As we got to the top we looked at each other and queried our sanity, but once we got our breath back we were ok again - and we were sidetracked by what looked like a puncture in my rear tyre. We stopped at the end of Wimlands Lane and looking at my tyre I couldn't find a puncture even though it seemed to have lost at least half its pressure, so I just reinflated it to see what happened (nothing - it didn't lose any pressure for the rest of the ride). 

After Wimlands we went through Lambs Green and then took the Rusper Road all the way to Ifield Green. Heading out of Ifield I missed a turn and instead of using Bonnetts Lane towards Charlwood we used the Charlwood Road. The distance looked the same on the map, so I wasn't too concerned. I was hoping to get an ice cream at Charlwood but the shop was shut and I had to make do with another swig of water from my bottle. In the full sun we continued on to Povey Cross and then up Horse Hill and on to Ironsbottom. Next we passed through Leigh and then reached our northernmost point as we turned into Gadbrook Road from Snowerhill Road. We were getting pretty tired but only had to travel down through Holmwood Common and over the railway before we could enjoy our afternoon break at Henfold Lakes. We sheltered from the sun and had a couple of pints of iced drinks each - here's Anton just starting his second:

We refilled our water bottles with fresh cold water and remounted. The first 100 yards was a stiff climb but then the road settled down and we had soon passed through Newdigate and Capel to get to Weare Street. Weare Street heading south is one of the best rides around these parts and once again it provided a lovely, relaxing, sun-dappled breather as we cruised down its two miles or so of quiet perfection.

Ploughing on we were now effectively heading away from Horsham as we passed through OkewoodHill, Walliswood, neared Ewhurst, Ellens Green, Cox Green and Rudgwick where we hit our most westerly point as we turned south onto Haven Road. We were now on the home run and after a quick burst on a mile of Stane Street, climbed up for a fast freewheel down through Slinfold. As we turned onto the Five Oaks Road near Newbridge, Anton remarked that just over 11 hours previously we'd passed that same point as we'd headed out in the cool of the morning. In the middle of Broadbridge Heath I pulled over to take this photograph:

...and a couple of miles later we arrived back at Horsham Pavilion in the Park. I asked a passer-by to take a photo of Anton and myself to mark the achievement.

.Thanks to Mick for working out the route - it was actually very enjoyable. Thanks to Pete S for the mapping. Thanks to Pete E, Michael and John V for taking part and thanks to all the cheerful people working in sweltering conditions in the three cafes we visited.

If you've got eight minutes to spare, here's a low definition video of various parts of the morning (speeded up to make us look fast!!)

Next weeks ride will start from Three Bridges Station at 10:00 and is a Beginners Ride suitable for all riders. It will last a couple of hours or so and may well use The Worth Way. Fill up your water bottle(s) and get out riding!

The Two Weald Ride (DA Event)

During the summer months, we have a number of events designed to bring members of Arun/Adur, Bognor/Chichester and Horsham /Crawley CTC member groups together. In July we stage the Two Weald Ride. This gives our members a choice of four different 25 mile routes looping out from Wisborough Green in the general direction of each of the four main compass points.

For this years event we had a total of 15 riders turn up. It was a gloriously sunny day and I opened up the checkpoint a little earlier than advertised and got the first rider off at 09:35, with the second following along just before 10:00. As in the last few years, Frank and Pat brought their camper van and it made a great base for everyone to congregate around and enjoy their refreshments. Frank had manoeuvred it under the tree and so we could sit in the shade to avoid getting sunburnt. 

The bulk of the riders set off in two groups at about 10:15 - one group using the North loop and the other using the West loop. This left Frank and myself manning the Control but we were soon joined by John V and then Anton. We were hoping to ride as a quartet but we needed to wait for someone to take over the Control and time was slipping away, so John and Anton set off on the West loop by themselves. As I was getting hungry, I popped into the pub for lunch and got back to the van just before Pat arrived back (with John C). This meant Frank and I could set off, along with Colin - this was his second loop of the day. We'd decided on using the West loop because we think it is the nicest although it does have a couple of hills. This slide show covers all but the last mile of the entire route in a mere 6.5 minutes! If only we could ride that fast! Mind you, we'd miss the fantastic countryside that it goes through - hopefully the slide show gives some flavour, but believe me, there's no substitute for the real thing.

Arriving back at the Control bang on 16:00, all that was left to do was wave goodbye to the last of our fellow riders as they headed for home and then pack up the camper van and head for home ourselves. It had been a wonderful days cycling although the heat had probably stopped some people doing additional loops. That said, we'd collectively cycled well in excess of 400 miles taking into account those people such as John V, Anne and Colin who had all ridden to and from Wisborough Green on top of riding their loops.

Next weeks ride is a big one - it's the Horsham 100.  And this being England, the 100 means miles not kilometres!  It will start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 07:00 hrs and comprises of a 50 mile loop to the south with a tea stop at The Barn Garden Centre (Dial Post) at 09:30 and lunch at the Park Cafe in Horsham at 12:30. The afternoon 50 mile loop will head north and have a tea break at Henfold Lakes at 16:00 to finish back at Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 19:00 hrs. Feel free to do as much or as little of the ride as you want - perhaps just one 50 mile loop, or just a rendezvous at one of the refreshment stops which are both within about ten miles of Horsham. Hey, why not just meet up at lunch and give your encouragement to those trying to make it to three figures :-)

Crawley 100

One hundred miles. Hmmm, at our usual rate that means 10 hours in the saddle, better plan the ride to have an early start.

Well, that was the thinking that saw me hanging around Three Bridges Station at 07:00hrs on Sunday 22nd July. Ten minutes later and I was still on my own and getting cold - time to start riding.

In planning the route for the Crawley 100 I based it on the route we used in 2010 but with a few small amendments to add some of my favourite lanes. First off though, the route took me through Furnace Green and Tilgate to the K2 Leisure centre. Then came the first climb of the day, up Pease Pottage Hill. By now I was nice and warm and got a good spin rate going as I travelled down Grouse Road. It was a glorious morning and I should have stopped to take some photos (the Hammer Pond looked particularly scenic) but I was enjoying the riding! Eventually I did stop and I took this picture of the church at Doomsday Green:

Now the route headed in a more southerly direction along Sedgwick (formerly Magpie) Lane before heading east through Maplehurst and then going south once more to cross the A272 and head on down to Littleworth. I was tiring a little now and, as I rode along the A281 several cyclists went past me - I sped up and managed to catch their tail for about a mile but their speed of 22mph was proving a bit hard and emptying my tank quicker than I could afford, so I had to drop back. However, shortly after I turned onto the B2118 I passed them (they were stopped at the side of the road, discussing their route) and for the next mile and a bit I was riding too fast again as I tried to preserve my dignity and travel at a similar speed to them (and not get overtaken again). Was I glad when I could turn off onto the Wineham Road and ease my pedal rate!  I cruised up through Wineham and then turned into Bob Lane all the while thinking about breakfast which was just a few minutes away. I was woken from my thoughts as the cyclists from earlier passed me again. This time I had a quick chat with them and found that they were on a "short", 50 mile training run. Where they were from and where they were heading I've no idea! However I'd now crossed the A23 and pulled up at the breakfast stop, the Little Chef at Hickstead.

Half an hour later, comfortably outside a coffee and a teacake, it was time to get back on the bike. I headed east on the cycle route beside the A2300 and then turned north on a very quiet lane. This crossed the A272 and headed up hill through the woods near Bolney. Reaching the ridge I then headed east to Whitemans Green and on to Borde Hill. After a short climb the route crossed over the London to Brighton mainline and then headed on up to Ardingly.












Here I had a short breather to get ready for the next part of the ride: a breathtaking descent followed by a lung-busting climb to get me over Ardingly reservoir. From there it was a peaceful recovery ride (although slightly up) along Back Lane. As I rode along here I saw a bearded bloke with a camera acting strangely just ahead of me. I stopped and asked what was up - he responded by pointing out a dragonfly sitting on a flower. I think he said it was a Great-Ringed Dragonfly. I stood and watched it for a couple of minutes before climbing back onto the saddle.

Just before Turners Hill I turned left and sped down past Tulleys Farm and back into Crawley using the Worth Way to get over the M23 before pulling up at home for a quick adjustment to my badly juddering brakes. The cause of the juddering? A big wad of grease had been flung from my recently regreased hub and had landed on the rim! I soon had it clean and working properly and headed over to the lunch stop at Stepneys cafe at Maidenbower Pavilion.

Lunch was pleasantly spent sitting in the shade looking out over the park. I was ready for the restart half an hour before the published time, but thought I'd better wait in case any was just going to do the afternoon fifty miles. No one did, so I set off up through Maidenbower to Three Bridges Station - no one there either - ah well, let's get going again.

I followed NCN21 out of Crawley through Three Bridges, Northgate, the Industrial Estate and the airport. Once in Horley I headed past the Air Balloon pub and on to Meath reen Lane. Now I was back in the countryside and the sun was playing a little hide and seek in the clouds, the road was very smooth and I was really enjoying the ride. A safe crossing of the A217 and I was soon through the southern outskirts of Reigate and the sun had pushed most of the clouds away. In order to get the afternoon mileage correct I'd put a little extra loop in this part of the ride and I had to resist the temptation to cut it off. My integrity was rewarded with the sight of two-thirds distance coming up on my speedo - the red mark on the map shows where it was, the speedo picture shows 66.67 miles for the trip (it should have been 66.66 but it flipped over before I could stop:






































Psychologically this was a good point for me and I had a tea break coming up but as I approached my next right turn there were some people standing in the road ahead. "What's up?" I asked. "Cycle race." Came the reply. "Can I use the road as well?" "Yes, but watch them go by first." At that moment a group of some twenty-odd women cyclists raced by, barely slowing for the corner. Sheepishly I followed in their tracks. Fortunately there weren't many spectators to revel in the contrast between the sleek, speedy ladies and the bearded, plodding slowcoach. However, a couple of miles later I realised that the ladies were doing a circuit of 6 laps and were likely to catch me up soon, so I upped my pace a bit and managed to keep between 15 & 20 mph until I left their route at Newdigate - they never caught me!

From Newdigate it was west along Trig Street and then and then down to Capel for afternoon tea at the Church:











A cup of tea and a big slice of cake was just what the doctor ordered and I enjoyed sitting in the sun outside the front of the church and chatting with a fellow cyclist. The Olympics, local churches and the Forty-Plus Cycling Club were our main topics of conversation. My mileage reading at the tea stop was exactly 75 miles, so I was very happy and confident that I would clock up the full 100 miles - mind you, I also knew there were a few hills yet to be climbed!

The next bit of the ride took me over the A24 and then down Weare Street - absolutely perfect - no traffic, sunlight dappling through the trees, clean tarmac and no dogs! Then over the A29 and the short stiff climb up to the pub at Oakwoodhill. Here there was some sort of jamboree of V8 muscle cars - lot's of American cars in evidence, some British modifieds, but my favourite was the plain and simple Scooby STI with a loud exhaust burble - gotta love the sound of that flat four!

Next hill was Rowhook Hill but down not up!  Much better and allowed me to hit 40mph for the only time this day. I used the familiar route into Horsham but, having crossed the golf course, I turned right and travlled through a resdidential area before going through the town centre and out on the Brighton Road. Next I forked left and eventually took the right turn to head to Doomsday Green. Time for another photo - compare this one with the one I took this morning from (almost) exactly the same spot:










Not far to go now, but the small hills were starting to get me - granny ring was earning her keep! Although the route now went up Grouse Road, the obvious route back was too short so a deviation was needed. I headed across to Colgate and then up and over Tower Hill for a fast blast down to the A264. This road was fairly quiet and I managed to get across quickly to face the last climb of the day, the drag up from Faygate to Wimlands Lane. From there it was downhill to and past Lambs Green and then just the level (but twisty) Rusper Road back into Crawley. I used the subway from Ifield to West Green, then Springfield Road and through Southgate before arriving at Furnace Green and home with 101.6 miles on the clock.  Done it!

I was very pleased with my achievement and also with the route, although I think I'll make another couple of tweaks to it before we run it again in 2014.

Next weeks ride (29th July) will be to Amberley from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 09:30hrs and should be about 40 miles of medium level cycling.

Horsham Hundred

This years 100 miler was scheduled to start from Horsham with a 50 mile anticlockwise loop to the south in the morning and a 50 mile clockwise loop to the north in the afternoon. A dearth of volunteers meant that I would be leading the ride but would unfortunately not be available for the entire afternoon loop. I suspected riders would be thin on the ground, but having ridden from Crawley to Horsham for the 07:00hrs start I found myself completely alone at Horsham Pavilion in the Park. I waited until 07:30, just in case, before setting off.

Although I had an OS map with me, the route would be on familiar roads all the way and the exit from Horsham was the usual Golf Course and Robin Hood Lane route. With dry roads and a temperature that a double t-shirt combo could easily manage, I enjoyed the ride as it headed south through Broadbridge Heath and then up Bashurst Hill. I'd soon passed Coneyhurst and Broadford Bridge and as I slowly reached the top of Woods Hill I was in a world of my own and thinking about how to minimise the effort I was using to climb the hill. At this point I thought I heard a car approaching and looking over my shoulder I spotted not only the car but also a cyclist catching me up. I expected him to pass me in the next few hundred yards but he didn't actually do so until about a mile further on when I hit the short hill up Mill Road in West Chiltington Common. I was impressed with the chaps ability to cycle in spite of his physical impairment - I think he was stone deaf - as he didn't respond to my cheery hello as he passed me. Anyway, I was now at the southernmost point of the morning loop and turned north into Roundabout Lane and thence to Smock Alley. This lane made me work again and it was a relief when I finally got to freewheel down through the bends of East Street to come out on the Coolham Road.

Visibility was very good with no chance of any foolish motorist (or van driver) failing to spot me as I cruised through the junction. The road wasn't too busy and so the right turn onto Sincox Lane was negotiated with ease. As I approached Broomers Corner I considered cheating and cutting off the Shipley Village loop but honour and personal integrity stopped me - anyway, it's been a while since I rode through there and curiosity is a strong driving force...

Pound Lane and Swallow Lane were soon behind me and I was ready to cross the A24 - wait for a couple of fast-moving cars, then straight across both carriageways! It's not often you can do that and I was now at The Old Barn Garden Centre ready for a tea-break. I wheeled my bike through a relatively deserted building only to find the coffee bar shut, but on walking round to the other side I found the cafe open. I opted for a mug of tea and a large slice of Victoria Sponge. Sitting outside in the bright sunshine, I'd soon transformed myself from a hungry cyclist carrying a slice of cake and a drink in his hand to a contented cyclist carrying a slice of cake and a drink in his stomach. I stayed in the sunshine ruminating and memorising the map for the next part of the ride for a good ten minutes before walking back through the Garden Centre. Turning right I resisted the temptation to take a shortcut through the Lock Estate and headed up Grinders Lane and Honeybridge Lane. At a couple of points along this lane there are electric security gates giving the impression that someone doesn't want any involvement with the rest of the world - this impression was further fortified today when I noticed that an earth bank some two to three metres high has been thrown up just the other side of the hedge for a distance of about a mile - that is quite an earthwork. I was still pondering what is was for when I caught up with a horse and rider. Exchanging pleasantries I mentioned the bank and she said that the (millionaire) landowner was in the process of building a large lake for his speedboating hobby and that part of it would impact a public footpath - shades of the Hoogstraten bloke in East Sussex perhaps? Mind you, there is a bridleway only a mile or so from here that got moved purely to stop it going past someones house, so West Sussex may well be a pushover... When I got home, a quick bit of Googling revealed some old planning applications for this land, but nothing to indicate a large lake for speedboats, just a smaller wildlife pond. Incidentally, the same place seems to have been the address given by one of those chaps that threw purple flour on MP's in the House of Commons a few years back!

At the next junction I took Church Lane and then Golden Lane to emerge on the B2135 and head for Partridge Green. I was comfortably into the ride now and headed south through Shermanbury before taking the B2116 east as far as Wineham Lane where the turn to the north emphasised the fact that the morning was more than half done.

After crossing the A272, the climbs of Spronketts Lane were achieved at what we shall call a "leisurely" pace because I knew that the short but difficult climb into Warninglid was fast approaching. I didn't mess about and just selected Granny gear to do that one, so I had plenty of puff to drive my pedals for a good thrash down from Warninglid and past the school before the left turn onto Hampshire Hill at Slaugham Pond. Now I was on the home stretch - across the B2110, along Hammerpond Road, past the golf course and rugby club and into Horsham for lunch.

Pulling up at the Conservatory Cafe, I claimed a table outside and ordered another mug of tea and a bacon and brie baguette. The Park was buzzing with some sort of carnival and there were loads of cyclists pulling up having been out for a morning ride with the other cycle club in Horsham. John V joined me and then Jeet did also, so we had a nice old chinwag sitting in the sunshine. John didn't fancy riding the afternoon loop by himself - he's got nothing to prove in the worlds of distance or solo riding, so he and I headed back to Crawley via Rusper. We used the middle road up the hill - Old Holbrook. As we approached Crawley I peeled off as I was heading for a family birthday party in Ifield Wood and when I finally got off my bike my speedo told me I'd racked up a 69 mile day - not 100, but not too shabby in its own way.

Next weeks ride is titled "The Ashdowner" and will be a 40 mile ride south and east from Three Bridges Station starting at 09:30hrs. there will be a few hills and I intend to stop at The Cat in West Hoathly for lunch.

Two Weald Ride

This weekend saw the fourth DA event of the year and the second organised by Horsham and Crawley, The Two Weald Ride. The basic format is that there are a selection of four 25 mile routes starting and finishing at Wisborough Green and riders decide which one(s) they want to do and we provide tea/coffee and home made cakes for refreshment. We opened the control at 10:00 hrs by which time there were already half a dozen people ready to set off. Once again, Pat and Frank brought their camper van and did sterling work keeping the drinks flowing and the cakes portioned out. The weather was sunny and warm and it took a while before anyone actually started riding! This photo shows a selection of Bognor and Chichester and Arun and Adur riders enjoying the sunshine with the camper van in the background.

I decided I wanted to ride the Western route (it's my favourite) and I was joined by Pete E and Pat. We set off towards and through Kirdford and then I missed a right turn (it was over the fold in my route instructions) but a mile or so later we came across a small group of cyclists repairing a puncture near a road junction and whilst chatting with them we looked at their map - my error was obvious and easily rectified and we just had to turn north and follow a lane I've never cycled before. It was actually quite a pleasant road and after a mile or so we turned left and were back on the proper route. Although the sun was now high in the sky and beating down ferociously, most of the lanes offered plenty of shade and the riding was extremely pleasant. Turning right onto the A283 we had a mile of full sun before turning left and after a short open stretch through Lurgashall (a cricket match was on the go here), we once more gained the shelter of the woodland around Lickfold and then River. Just before taking these pictures, as I had freewheeled down the hill at about 30 something mph, I disturbed a large brown bird of prey - probably a Buzzard - it shot off through the trees too quick for me to notice anything other than its size and colour.

Here's Pete.

And here's Pat (notice Pete in the background getting ready for a second photo!!)


and this is it......

After River, we came to a T-junction where the official route goes down the hill and onto the A272, however, I prefer to turn left and stay on the lane (but going up hill) before turning right and enjoying a nice fast descent through Tillington.
Here's Pat just reaching the top of that hill.

and here's the view of Tillington church taken as I approached it at about 30 mph.

At the bottom of the hill we turned left onto the A272 and passed the deer park belonging to Petworth House. At Petworth we turned right, heading south, then turned east and took the second left - a quiet lane through Byworth - before a short spell on the A283 as far as the Welldiggers Arms. This was followed by the worst part of the Western Loop, the long drag of a climb up Kingspit Lane. But it didn't last too long and we knew we only had a few more miles to go. Once we'd crossed the A272 it was mainly downhill or level all the way to Kirdford from whence Wisborough Green was but 3 miles.

After a well-earned pint and some lunch at the pub, Pete joined Barbara on the Northern loop and then a few minutes later Frank set off in pursuit. I decided to stay at the control and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon chatting with various members of the club about a variety of topics.

Looking at the register I could see that we had had 22 riders out with just three of them doing more than one loop. Normally we have more "multi-loopers" but I think the hot weather had made everyone take it a little easier this year - or maybe it was the lure of the homemade cakes??

Anyway, by 15:30 Frank had returned having not managed to catch Pete and Barbara but having had an enjoyable solo ride, and then just after 16:00 hrs Pete and Barbara finished and everyone was accounted for.

Thanks everyone for taking part but extra big thanks to Barbara and Pete for organising things, and Pat and Frank for not just the use of their mobile home but all the hard work they'd put in serving the food and drinks.

Our next ride is on Sunday 10th July starting from Three Bridges Station at 10:00 hrs. It will be an easy ride suitable for practically anyone with a bike and will demonstrate how easy and safe it is to visit Redhill Aerodrome from Crawley. There is a cafe at the airfield and there's always something to see there.

Two Weald Ride

The Two Weald Ride is an annual West Sussex DA event, organised by the Horsham and Crawley Section. The event comprises of four circular 25 mile routes starting/finishing at Wisborough Green which effectively box the compass. Points are scored for starting and finishing any one of the routes and riders are free to ride whichever of the routes they like and however many of them as they want. This effectively gives the options of a 25, 50, 75 or 100 mile day. Horsham and Crawley man a checkpoint and provide refreshments (tea, cordial, cakes) during the day. Riders wishing to tackle multiple routes are advised to download the route instructions/map from the DA website so that they can make an early start as the control point is only available between 10:00hrs and 16:00hrs – if it were open longer, some poor cyclist(s) from our section would have to spend the majority of the day not cycling! With a 6 hour window we’ve normally got enough members present for us all to share the task.

Previously we’ve erected a little marquee under the chestnut tree by the green and last year we also had the use of a mobile home to provide somewhere to shelter and brew the tea, but this year the weather was fine enough to forego both and just place the table and chairs in the shade of the tree. Arranged on the table were printouts of the route instructions, maps, a fruit cake and two Victoria sponges – the cakes were baked by Mick, Barbara and Bob respectively.

Leading up to the event, various members arranged the details by phone and e-mail –printing of the maps/route instructions, provision of gas stove, table, chairs, tea, coffee, squash, cakes, water, a monetary float and arranging to transport all of this to Wisborough Green (along with our bikes of course). So, just before 9 am three cars assembled at Barbara’s house and items were carefully packed in next to each of our bikes. As we unpacked at Wisborough Green, so the first riders started arriving and Barbara’s thoughtful idea of bring hot water in flasks allowed us to get the kettle boiling very quickly so that everyone could have a pre-ride cuppa. Barbara and I (Bob) took on the first shift and had soon waved off some 13 riders from the various West Sussex Member Groups. Not long after, Bob Harber, going for the big 100, finished his second loop, had a short break for refreshments and then set off on his third loop. Colin was next to arrive having cycled all the way from Bognor – he too partook of the refreshments before setting off on a loop. Shortly after, Pete S arrived having just completed the Southern loop. He kept us company for the next hour or so and, when John V and John C completed their loop, took on the Western Loop with us.

Sitting around for a couple of hours hadn’t taken the edge off Barbara’s pace and she set a blistering speed as we headed off to Kirdford – Pete and I could barely keep up!

After Kirdford the western route goes through Ebernoe then Lurgashall and Lickfold before the climb of Leggatt Hill followed by a descent and stiff climb to River.

At the next junction the official route goes right and down to join the A 272 but in practice most people go left to stay on a quieter road, enduring a climb but with good views to the south. Then following a right turn there’s a nice downhill run through Upperton and on down to Tillington. Here we stopped for lunch at the Horse Guards Inn. The menu wasn’t really that cyclist friendly but we snacked on spicy nut mix and bread and oils in a pleasantly sunny courtyard. The beer was absolutely superb and it was hard work dragging ourselves away to continue the ride.
Emerging onto the A272 we turned left and headed into Petworth but avoided most of the town by passing to the south before going up through Byworth and then past the Welldiggers Arms and onto the long uphill drag north. Crossing the A272, the road goes downhill and we made good time back through Kirdford and on to Wisborough Green.

By now it was half past three and most of the riders had finished their rides and were heading home. We packed everything away and ensured we left the Green as we found it whilst we waited for the remaining few riders to come back. Colin turned up and waving goodbye, headed off back in the direction of Bognor, then at exactly four pm, our lone 100 miler turned up having just completed his fourth and last loop – he’d managed each one in just about 2 hours and hadn’t really taken any breaks – pretty impressive. I was glad to hear that his car was parked just around the corner and that he would be driving home as I could see that he’d put in a lot of effort and I was worried he’d be too tired to ride home.

So finally, at about half past four on a sunny but fairly windy day, we packed our bikes away and went back home. The day seems to have been a success with some 18 riders taking part clocking up something like 600 miles between them! All the fruit cake had been sold and most of the two Victoria sponges as well.

The next DA Event also involves food – it’s the Picnic on Sunday 4th August and, because it’s central to all the sections, it’s at Wisborough Green.

The Crawley 100 Ride

Today’s ride was scheduled to start at Three Bridges Station but, due to ‘Track Improvements’ a dual start was decided upon; 6:00 in Horsham and 7:00 in Crawley.

6:00 in Horsham to be met by Norman.
7:00 in Crawley to be met by Bob, Pete S and Jeet.

Off we headed through Crawley up to Pease Pottage via K2. The route was then down Grouse Road, right onto Hammerponds towards Horsham. Left in Doomsday Green took us over the A281 and past Sedgwick House. It was soon after here Jeet had his first puncture. Having done a good job, see later, we headed off again through Copsale, Maplehurst and over the A272. After the A272 we went through Partridge Green turning left onto the B2116 and joined the A281 at Shermanbury heading south. After a mile we turned left to rejoin B2116 just north of Henfield. Left again took us through Wineham and then right onto Bob Lane, through Twineham and a break at the Little Chef.

After refreshments Jeet noticed he had had another puncture, this turned out to be a missed flint from the first puncture. Having done another good job, see later, we started our northerly leg, into the wind. Just after crossing the A272 Norman said he was going home as he was not feeling well, after some discussion about the best route home we headed up towards the B2115 near Slough Green where Norman could leave us. Approaching this junction Bob said ‘Here comes a Scooby’, meaning a Subaru. All I saw was a Ford, as did Pete. Jeet saw a Subaru. This was then to become a topic for the day, seeing Ford Impreza’s and Subaru Mondeo’s quite regularly. Having said goodbye to Norman we headed east towards Cuckfield where I nearly came a cropper, looking at some balloons with skull and crossbones on I did not see a stone which I promptly hit and only just managed to stay on my bike. Bob thought it may have been a golf ball, the same one that caused Frank to come off on a previous ride. Right and left in Cuckfield we headed past Borde Hill Gardens where Jeet had another puncture, this turned out to be a leak from the previous patch.

Heading off again we aimed for Ardingly, en-route we were passed by a lady on a scooter and yes her bum did look big on it. Later she passed us coming in the other direction and yes she was equally as big up front! (Is this politically correct? Ed.) We turned left in Ardingly, went over the reservoir and then right towards the Flying Saucer (Worth Abbey). It was tops off for me here as it was boil in the bag time. Turning right we headed towards Turners Hill though we turned left just beforehand to head towards Crawley and our lunch stop. Pete and Bob led us at this point as local knowledge helped us avoided traffic lights near Three Bridges station. Lunch was at Costa Coffee in Tescos. Anton made an appearance here and joined us for lunch; he had been on a ride in Kent. We were expecting Barbara but it was a no-show.

Having been fed and watered we headed north, again into the wind. Irons Bottom (a place, not a result of too many miles in the saddle) came and went and we headed for Leigh then on towards Betchworth. Just before there we turned west into the wind towards Stroud Green. Turning left here, we headed south and hoped for some wind assisted cycling. HA! Bob asked the route here and I said straight on until the next T-junction so off he went in pursuit of a young lady cyclist. Unfortunately I had forgotten a right turn, as I had done while working out the route. So we were off course and had to make some adjustments. This was fairly easy as the roads we were on are used on our regular rides. So we headed for Parkgate then Newdigate where we rejoined the route. This was actually shorter but avoided a single arrowed hill. In Newdigate we turned right by ‘Bob’s Store’, heading for Capel and our afternoon stop. As we arrived at Capel Bob swallowed a fly (perhaps he’ll die) and spent most of the break with a tickle in his throat. Tea was as good as ever - 90p for a slice of cake and a cup of tea.

The last leg, or legs. Through Capel, over the A24 and towards Ockley station. Then the next few miles were on Weare Street, a lovely steady downhill for the most. Crossing over the A29 I swear I saw a Subaru Golf. Passing though Okewoodhill there was a cricket match on with a warning to parked cars that they parked there at their own risk. Having passed safely, we headed towards Rookwood where I think we hit our top speed; Pete said he got to just less than 32mph. We crossed the A29 again and onto the A281 to go towards Broadbridge Heath. Turning left after a mile we headed through Warnham. Up Knob Hill here! We then headed south towards Broadbridge Heath, then east along Robin Hood Lane, over the golf course and on to The Forresters pub in Horsham for a break. I checked on Norman here to check he had got home ok, he had. Having quenched our thirst we headed off, I headed home, having done my bit, and the others headed off along Hammerponds.

Bob rang me later to say that he, Jeet and Pete had got back ok. He had done 94 miles, allowing for inflation and the erosion of his differentials we rounded this up to 100. Jeet meanwhile was cycling around Crawley to get up to his 100. Pete I assumed was asleep watching the Turkish Grand Prix. After Bob rang I thought I would have an early night but remembered I had not eaten so had to stay up until 8:00pm! Apple crumble then steak and mash in that order.

Vital statistics:
Cycle computer;
Distance Time moving Average Maximum
99.25 8:24 11.8 32.2

GPS;
Distance Time moving Average Maximum Elapsed time
99.4 8:56 11.1 32.9 12:47

Elevation (ft)
Minimum Maximum Ascent
16 620 8,713
TQ236190 TQ339354

Crawley 100

The Crawley 100 Ride
Here are the details of this weekends ride. Please note that, due to rail engineering works, we recommend Horsham based riders start and finish at Horsham. Feel free to join in for all or part of the ride (or even just rendezvous at a food stop!). Phone Mick or Bob to confirm whereabouts/times on the day.

CRAWLEY 100
Sunday 30th May 2010

06:00 Horsham Pavilions in the Park (Horsham start)
Hammerponds
Grouse Road
Pease Pottage

07:00 Three Bridges station
Pease Pottage
Grouse Road
Hammerponds
Copsale
Maplehurst
Partridge Green
Henfield
Wineham
Twineham

Hickstead Services- Coffee
Whiteman’s Green
Borde Hill
Ardingly
West Hill
Turners Hill
Three Bridges

Tescos (Hazelwick) – Lunch
Tinsley Green
Gatwick
Povey Cross
Irons Bottom
Leigh
Stroud Green
Holmwood Common
Newdigate
Capel

Capel Church – Tea & Cakes
Weare Street
Okewoodhill
Rowhook
Warnham

Horsham Pavilions in the Park - (Horsham) Finish
Hammerponds
Grouse Road
Pease Pottage

Three Bridges station - Finish