Downs Link part I

I'm on time for a change - a nice bright morning and I was out and about and bang on schedule. I pulled up at HPP and sat waiting to see who would turn up.

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.

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.

Wiston Tea Rooms

Wiston Tea Rooms or, more accurately Wiston Granary, is only about 11 miles or so south of Horsham but we managed to spin it out to over 34 today……

Pete E had revised the route he'd used the previous time for this ride and completely avoided using Hammerpond Lane. The only trouble was that this added about six miles to the distance and wasn't exactly flat. The three horrible Hammerpond hills were bypassed but the extra miles as we went via Copsale, Maplehurst and Lower Beeding were accompanied by their own lumpy bits! I was struggling a bit as we approached Warninglid but the weather was nice and as we turned to a more southerly direction we had the benefit of a tailwind. One more climb took us over the last Forest Ridge and we fairly shot down to Shaves Thatch corner. Soon after, the South Downs were blocking our path and we turned to the west at Fulking. 

The scenery was beautiful and made even better by the iridescent blue sky. By now it was past midday and we were all feeling hungry so we kept to the most direct route (also the most level route) through Bramber, by-passed Steyning and shortly after took the right turn to Wiston.

We sat in the garden but with the sun increasingly being obscured by cloud it wasn't quite warm enough to be perfect - the garden was really pleasant, the food and drink was just right and delivered with a smile, but when the sun was hidden the wind was sending ripples of goosebumps over bare legs and arms.

The route back to Horsham was exactly what appeared on the runslist - as short as we could make it and we arrived safely back at HPP bang on 15:30 hrs with a nice round 45 miles on the speedo.

Next weeks ride is a plain and simple ride to The Plough at Leigh. Meet at Three Bridges Station at 09:30 and Anton will take us on an easy, relatively hill-free journey to this cosy pub and back with a total mileage of only about 30 miles, all on generally quiet lanes and tarmac cyclepaths.

Downs Link to Brighton

Back in February, we got together to create the runs list for the 2nd quarter of the year and Val (our "keep it flat and not too long" expert) suggested a ride out on the Downs Link to Shoreham and then along the coast to Brighton. Everyone at the meeting seemed quite keen, so in it went: a ride leader was determined, a route and itinerary worked out and the details published in The Pedaller (as well as  our august webpages).  No going back then even though it was pouring with rain on the Saturday and 8 o'clock seemed way too early and cold to be getting on a bike. Nervous communications on Saturday evening suggested maybe four people would turn up but, lo and behold, there were 7 of us at Horsham Pavilions in the Park (Anton, Barbara, Bob, Ken, Malcolm, Pete E and Val) and we picked up 2 more from Horsham station (Corinne and John V).

Anton was ride leader but he let Pete E guide us through Horsham and out on Pedlars Way. In spite of Saturdays downpour, the trail wasn't muddy, just slightly soft, and the lanes were nice and dry. At Copsale we noted that the sign for The Bridge Inn has been kept but now reads "Bridge House" - another pub gone. How many old King and Barnes pubs have disappeared since the Hall and Woodhouse takeover?

The clouds were starting to break up now and the temperature was just about perfect for cycling with just a hint of a tailwind. The Downs Link surface was about as good as it could be although a feature of todays ride would be how much the vegetation was encroaching on each side of the path.

It didn't take us long to get to Partridge Green, then shortly after we noticed that they've put a surfaced path across the grassy field - previously there was(were?) just a couple of muddy grooves to follow, now there is a nice, raised pressed stone path.

The following video starts from the gate entering the field and includes a lot of the Downs Link to Shoreham (at four times normal speed).....

10 minutes of video

In Shoreham we emerged on the roundabout in the town centre and used the A259 for a while before turning right to pick up NCN 2 and cross the lock gates for the east harbour. The cycle path was really quite busy and by now the sun was blazing above.

We stopped for a quick loo break before continuing on along NCN 2. Shoreham Harbour amy not be the most picturesque (or sweet smelling), but I enjoyed riding through it and the road wasn't too busy.  At Hove Lagoon, NCN 2 becomes a shared use path on the south side of the A259 and is a really fast and pleasant way to travel along the front - so long as you take account of other users and pedestrians. The further east we went, the busier the seafront became and so, when we got to Hove lawns cafe we decided to stop for lunch as we were worried that eating places may be too busy for 9 of us if travelled further on and closer to midday....

We pushed a couple of tables together, made our orders and were eating and drinking within just a few minutes. It was very pleasant sitting there in the sun I can tell you, although I had to put my neck scarf over my head to ensure I didn't start to look like a swan vestas match!!

After about an hour or so, we decided to move on and our little party shed three of our number - Corinne was heading into Brighton of an afternoon of being a tourist, Barbara and John headed to Brighton station for a train back north and the rest of us headed back the way we came (I did think of suggesting an alternate route involving a climb up to Devils Dyke, a fast off road descent and a few miles of upsy downsy small lanes as far as Henfield, but thought better of it).

At some point there will be a video here showing various parts of the return journey - but it's not ready yet.....


We retraced our steps to Shoreham harbour and over the lock gates but then we followed the proper NCN 2 routing over the A259 and along some quiet back streets before taking the signposted cut through to the Downs Link which we rejoined by the Red Lion. The ride back was pleasant with the sun on our backs although the headwind and ever so slight upward trend did make it a bit harder than the morning. That seemed like a very good excuse too stop at the Cat and Canary in Henfield for lashings of ginger beer (well actually most of us had cider).

Partridge Green and West Grinstead were soon behind us and at Copsale we decided to continue to Southwater Country Park where we had another stop - might as well have an ice cream this time :-)

We tried to use Normans "back streets of Southwater" route but missed one turn and ended up on the Old Horsham Road for about a mile before heading across to Newfoundout and then back on Pedlars Way into Horsham and the end of the ride.

The end of the ride for all of us that is apart from Ken who was todays Hard Man. He'd ridden over from Crawley first thing and now proceeded to ride back. He was so quick that my chauffeur only caught up with Ken when he was but a couple of hundred yards from home!

Thanks everyone for taking part - judging by your chatter and smiling faces, I reckon you all enjoyed the ride. Well done Val for suggesting it in the first place (and well done for completing what was nearly a 60 mile ride).

Next week sees the next DA Event. This is the second of the DA Events that we organise and is The Two Weald Ride. Based at Wisborough Green (TQ048259), riders will be there from all three Member Groups within the West Sussex CTC and there will be a choice of four different 25 mile loops available to ride. Your committee will be there with refreshments between 10:00 hrs and 16:00hrs (thanks again to Frank and Pat with their camper van) - bring along home made cakes or biscuits for us to sell to raise funds for our club.

The route instructions and the overview map are available here , so if you want to get started before we've set up the refreshments, be your own boss. Why not try and do all four loops in one day??

The Seaside Ride

I was impressed with the sheer number of cyclists waiting at Three Bridges station but slightly dismayed to find that half of them were not on our ride but on what looked to be a ladies only ride along the Worth Way. Ah well, there would still be 9 of us heading to the coast. Pete and Marian were leading on their tandem with Barbara, Val, Michael, Richard, Norman and Ros following. I was the "Lanterne Rouge" for the day and accordingly I switched my nice bright rear light on to keep the tin-box jockeys at bay.

We travelled at a fair old pace down through Ardingly and we were pretty stretched out by the time we got to Lindfield, so needed to regroup (and get our breath back). Slugwash Lane stretched us out again and the run over Ditchling Common had a lot of traffic (some of it passing slightly too close to us).

We had a refuelling stop at the cafe in Ditchling and talked about a lot of things as we scoffed our teacakes/carrot cake/croissants and drank our tea/coffees. There was lots of material I could put onto this blog but unfortunately (as I pointed out at the time), my memory is so bad that I can't remember any of it - apart from renaming Marian to Bloody Mary and Norman to Marilyn.

Having settled my bill and bought a small cake "for later" I joined the others back outside and we remounted to head for The Hill. I led as far as Underhill Lane but I then waited for everyone else to go past me so that I could get film footage as they all started up Ditchling Beacon. Anyone familiar with the Beacon knows that it kicks up immediately after the crossroads with Underhill Lane and that just when you think you've got the measure of the hill and have a pedal rhythm that works, it takes a left turn and ramps up even steeper. If you can conquer that initial assault on your calf muscles then it just becomes a case of endurance with several little humps thrown in to upset your cadence. Assuming you manage to keep going, the next thing to worry about is all the traffic that hovers about behind you, slipping their clutches and over-revving as they seek to pass in the face of the occasional vehicle coming the other way - vehicles that look like they're going to jump onto your side of the road at any one of those humps I just mentioned, as they are all located on slight bends! Perseverence brings its reward and when you finally see the "Beware Horse and Rider" sign, you know there's only a hundred yards to go and your legs feel the gradient start to ease - time to compose yourself, up the tempo a bit and look like The Hill was no great effort to you. For me, this means wearing a big smile, trying to stop my chest heaving, putting in a bit of a sprint to ride right over the top and into the car park to pull up next to the ice-cream van. Another 99 ice-cream but only if I've ridden all the way up the hill. So far I've had one EVERY time I've attempted The Beacon. Today it didn't feel too hard, I must be fitter than I think :-)

Most of our riders managed to ride the whole Hill - see if you can spot them in Pete's picture:

Marian managed it but as Pete is not in the picture I'm not so sure about him!

The ride across to Old Boat Corner was nice and fast as usual and then we had the last climb up past the golfcourse at Hollingbury. Speeding down Ditchling Road we were soon in the heart of Brighton and having dealt with the traffic we arrived at the prom. A short walk with our bikes brought us to our lunch stop at Jack and Linda Mills Smoked Fish Shop.

I had grilled kippers in a roll - it was delicious and was accompanied by a really good cup of tea. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their fresh fish lunch as well - so much so, that some were too engrossed in it to look up when I took their picture:

 I doctored the picture a bit - here's the original:

All too soon it was time for us to start our return journey. Five of us decided (sensibly) to catch the train, Richard (hardcore) was going to ride home via Lewes, with the remaining three (nuts) opting to ride the NCN20 back north.


I was one of the nuts and led my little group up through Brighton on the A23 and then up through Mid-Sussex close to the A23 as far as the Bolney Stage where we felt the urge for some liquid refreshment.

After a couple of beers it was time to get going again.

Reaching the Warninglid flyover, we left NCN20 and headed into Warninglid before heading north once more to Slaugham Pond. Next we used the familiar route past The Wheatsheaf and onto Hammerpond Road. We said goodbye to Norman at Bucks Head as he continued on towards Horsham and we turned right onto Grouse Road. Michael had discovered the energy sapping effect beer sometimes has on the legs but we manfully rode on and were soon at the top in Pease Pottage. A quick blast down to K2 and an easy ride through Tilgate followed before I pointed Michael in the direction of Three Bridges Station and peeled off to arrive home myself.

I later found out that Richard (hardcore) had eschewed the joys of Lewes and had in fact used a slightly more direct route home - although by the time he finished he had still clocked up some 72 miles compared to the 55 I'd got on my speedo.

Next weeks ride should have been the reorganised Cutty Sark to Crawley ride but we've decided to cancel it and wait until next year as services using London Bridge Station will be severely disrupted by engineering works that day.

Instead we will have an Easy ride from Horsham Pavilion in the Park, starting at 10:00 hrs with a lunch stop at a cafe somewhere.

Wineham Royal Oak

A Three Bridges start, led by Bob.

We went to Handcross then Staplefield, used the small lanes down to Hickstead where we crossed the A23. Then used Bob Lane to get to the pub where we had a short break before trying to beat the rain home - we just failed and got a little wet for the last few miles of the ride.

Winkworth Arboretum

Got to Horsham Park Pavilions cafe today to be met by John V, John C and Norman - none of them sounding very enthusiastic about going out into the drizzle. Norman decided on just a short run back home. The two Johns and I decided to commit ourselves to ride at least as far as Cranleigh where I had arranged to meet Michael. We went via Warnham, Oakwood Hill, and Ewhurst. At Cranleigh we decided that we didn't want to go to a pub and eat ( I had already decided not to go to Winkworth as although the rain had stopped it was still quite gloomy), so we all agreed to go to the cafe at Wisborough Green instead and set off south on a direct route there. The cafe was excellent and I would recommend their soup. After about an hour we set off  along the A272 and then took Rowner Road to the The Blue Ship where Michael left us. We went back to Horsham via Slinfold and Broadbridge Heath. About 35 miles in total which seemed about right for a cold day.

Next weeks ride is VERY easy - it's the Old Crocks Race (or London to Brighton Veteran Car Run as they prefer to call it). We will start from Three Bridges Station at 10:00hrs and ride to Crawley High Street where we will be able to get close to the cars as they park up for a while.  From there we will follow the route of the cars up to Pease Pottage and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the old cars struggling up the hill before popping into The Black Swan for lunch. Come along, it's one of the few occasions when you get the chance to overtake cars on Pease Pottage Hill!

Veteran Car Run 2011

This was a nice easy ride with the emphasis more on the occasion than the riding.

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is held every year on the first Sunday of November and has been a constant in the lives of the people of Crawley for many years now. Indeed, the old Crawley Clock which I've mentioned in previous posts features this very event. As I arrived at Three Bridges Station for the start of the ride, I could see two cyclists waiting for me - Pete S and Sandra. Unfortunately Pete was on his way to a meeting and wouldn't be able to ride with us. Sandra and I waited for another 5 minutes but no one else turned up - I knew Anton was unable to make it and a couple of other riders had also said they were unlikely to be out.

We headed through Three Bridges and then down The Boulevard and Bank Lane to get to The High Street. Here, a jazz band was playing to welcome the "Old Crocks" into the middle of my home town. There were about 50 of the cars parked in the High Street and it was interesting to spot the different types and see how the vehicles were refined and evolved in their early days. Sandra preferred the ones with Dark Green or Maroon paint schemes, I seemed to lean more towards the garish yellows! We both liked this one because of the woodwork!

After spending the best part of an hour chatting and watching the cars as they came in and out, we decided to get some riding done. We headed out on the cycle path along Southgate Avenue which conveniently was the same route the Veteran Cars were taking (although they were using the road and not the cycle path!!).

Then it was up Pease Pottage Hill. This is a real test for the old cars as well as for a cyclist - though I ride up it every other week on my way to our Horsham starts.

I sat in the slipstream of a tallish Veteran Car with a lady driver and crew - they fairly shot up the hill at about 15 mph and I managed to stay with them all the way. At the top I stopped for a breather and took the following pictures:

The lower the number, the older the wehicle. Number 8 therefore was one of the oldest and you can clearly see the roots of the motor vehicle come from our world - the cycle world - it's all our fault!!

Sandra managed the hill and even commented that it wasn't as steep as she'd imagined.

I'm pleased with this picture of a steam-powered car. It's a bit blurry but, along with the cloud of steam, that was exactly how this vehicle appeared as it powered, relatively quietly, to the summit.

This one is quite advanced - it easily made it up the hill and overtook the one in the background. Not only that, it's got a windscreen and a folding roof! But then, looking at the numbers you can see that it is younger.

From the top of the hill we rode the short distance to The Black Swan at Pease Pottage. In the old days The Black Swan would have been a popular stopping place for vehicles travelling between London and Brighton, but now that it's not visible from the main road, it doesn't get nearly as much business. As Sandra and I pulled up, we were tooted by a campervan and looking inside I could see we were about to be joined by Ros and some friends. Ros was not riding today because she had an unplanned dismount from her bike the other week and broke her wrist - she's waiting for it to be plated and pinned but has been told that as soon as that is done, she'll be able to ride her bike again. She's a bit sceptical about that (as are we).

At the same time John V turned up, looking very dapper in casual wear and a flat cap, on his mountain bike. We lunched on beer and bagettes and various stories/reminiscences before heading back home in our various directions - Sandra back to Horsham along The Forest Road, Ros back to East Grinstead with her friends, John and I back to Crawley through Tilgate Forest. Mileage? Don't ask, suffice to say that I didn't even make it to double figures!!

Next weeks ride starts at Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 09:00 hrs and will head straight down to Pulborough Village Hall for the West Sussex DA AGM (which starts at 10:30 hrs). Once business has been concluded, we will head up to Nutbourne for lunch at The Rising Sun before heading back home more or less retracing the morning route. Mileage from/to Horsham will be about 35.

Seaside Ride

Sitting on the edge of the beach in bright warm sunshine eating lunch from the award winning smoked fish place, it was hard for the five of us to believe that it was the end of September. But having summit-ed the Beacon we were all in a fine mood and enjoying the late autumn sunshine.

It all began thirty miles previously in Three Bridges, where the five of us – Barbara, Marian, Bob, John C and Peter S - assembled at nine o’clock for the climb up to Turners Hill to meet Ros.

The traffic seemed lighter than usual which may have been because we were setting off earlier than of late, and it was already pleasantly warm; in fact quite warm, by the time that we had climbed the hill to Turners Hill.

Ros was waiting for us and so we turned south for the mile after mile of freewheeling to Lindfield – it is hard to believe how much downhill there is, until you try the route back from Brighton and, in fact, there are a couple of ‘ups’ on the way. We were saddened to learn from Anton that the coffee shop in Lindfield had closed but we weren’t planning to stop until Ditchling anyway, on this occasion, and so we headed for the exquisitely named Slugwash lane where we met Anton for a brief chat and a catch-up on his Audax (and other) adventures.

Leaving Anton we proceeded further south and eventually arrived at the café in Ditchling. As usual there were plenty of cyclists in there, but we did think that the prices were a bit higher this time – maybe this was because most of us had cake and not our usual toasted tea-cake. John left us to return home for other commitments leaving just the five of us to do the Beacon.

There was the usual amount of traffic which was largely well behaved and at the top a fairly stiff breeze from the south west.

After Bob had his traditional ice cream and we took a few pictures, we headed off south again to find the junction over the A27 log-jammed with cars trying to go in both easterly and westerly directions, making it very hard to go straight over, as very few drivers were prepared to let us through. They were probably jealous of us as they sat in the heat of their vehicles! Once we had all got across we made short work of the slope up by the golf course prior to the long descent in to Brighton.

There was a fair bit of traffic in town, no doubt due to the excellent weather, but we still made good time on the long swoop down to the pier. I’m not sure how Bob got on with his annual effort to set off the speed camera on the way through…….

After lunch there was only Bob wishing to ride back so all five of us piled on the train after a considerable amount of negotiation reduced the ticked price by twenty quid (you’ve gotta love privatisation of the railway – what were the benefits exactly?!). Due to the bridge maintenance at Three Bridges we went to Gatwick and rode back (this also required negotiation to get a ticket for Three Bridges – well done Barbara and Marian) along the NCR 21, so that Barbara could search for where she had parked her car and Ros could whizz along the Worth Way back to East Grinstead.

Thank you all for coming. I think that we all had a really good day out, with nice company and good weather – maybe you should join us next time.

Happy Cycling,
Peter S

Our next ride is on Sunday 2nd October. It will be a family friendly, suitable for ALL abilities, two hour ride along the Worth Way and back. The start point/time is Three Bridges Station at 10:00hrs.

West and South of Horsham

After a pleasant evening in a Western themed restaurant dressed as a cowboy, it seemed fitting that todays ride should head west. As the start was from Horsham I was "on message" straight from my front door, as with the sun beating down on my back (poetic licence - it was overcast), I headed due west along the Forest Road and actually arrived ten minutes early! Unfortunately no-one was there to witness this rare event :-(

Shortly after, Barbara arrived but, in spite of waiting until 09:45, that was it. We set off out of Horsham heading west over the golf course and up Rowhook Hill, noticing that lots of fungi are starting to make an appearance - including a straight line of them in the middle of a field! We headed through Cox Green and up into Rudgwick where we turned right and headed down past the brickworks (have I spelt brickworks correctly? Their sign suggests otherwise):


Loads of bricks there, it would be nice to have a house built of local bricks, although I don't think much of that front door!


Although the sky was overcast, it was really very pleasant riding with just a slight wind and a temperature warm enough for a t-shirt to suffice. Barbara thought it was bit cool for that and kept her jacket on.


After crossing the A 281 we carried on west and then I made a navigational error and took us down Drungewick Lane. I didn't realise until we'd gone about a mile further on, so rather than turn around I rejigged the next part of the route. As we approached Loxwood from the south, we encountered a road race in progress and were overtaken by at least three clumps of fast-moving roadies complete with motorcycle marshalls and accompanying cars. On reaching Ifold we turned off the race route and headed south again, only to rejoin it at the next junction - we missed one clump, but the second and third clumps went past us again. They all went left at the next junction, into Kirdford. we turned right and were going westward again. We used Scratchings Lane towards Ebernoe and then Pipers Lane before arriving at the lunch halt - The Deepwell Inn at Northchapel.

I'd decided on this lunch stop as I had noticed that the Arun & Adur section were lunching there and thought it would be good to meet up. They numbered 4 and we joined them to enjoy a pleasant lunch with good food and good beer. The pub seemed to be having quite a bit of work done to it, so we'll have to return sometime to see what the finished thing looks like.

It was still overcast when we left the pub but then a patch of blue sky sat over us as we rode back via Kirdford and Wisborough Green. We were tiring at this point and decided to head for Billingshurst to catch a train back to Horsham. Speeding along the A272 , our patch of blue disappeared and we started to feel the odd drop of rain. As we arrived at the station it started raining properly and we looking foward to sitting in the dry of a railway carriage. However, we'd just missed a train and the next was a full hour away - we could ride back in that time! So, on with the waterproofs and back out into the rain.

We headed through Billingshurst and back to Horsham via New Road, Barns Green, Two Mile Ash Road and Tower Hill. Arriving at the town centre Barbara headed off to meet a friend and I headed across to Ifield using the new cycle route along Wimlands Lane and the bridleway into Ifield North.

I arrived at my nephews house just in time to see the mighty Reds give a footballing lesson to the Chelski blues and washed the result down with cider and birthday cake.

Next weeks ride is our annual ride to the seaside.

Leaving Three Bridges station at 09:00hrs, the ride will be a relatively easy 30 miles (with the notable exception of Ditchling Beacon - but there's no shame in walking that) and will doubtless feature a tea-stop at Ditchling village and then lunch on Brighton seafront. As it goes via Turners Hill and Lindfield, there's the possibility of joining in along the way - contact Pete S or Bob to let us know if that's your plan.

The return can be by train (n.b. Three Bridges Station will be closed, but direct trains from Brighton will go to Gatwick and it's an easy ride back to Crawley from there) or the slightly harder ride along NCN20 with possibly a pub stop at Bolney or Staplefield.

This ride is usually very enjoyable and gives a good sense of achievement, so what's holding you back? See you on Sunday!

Falmer Fantasy

A good turnout for this ride which went from Three Bridges to Falmer (near Brighton):

Myself (Richard), the two Johns, Norman, Barbara and Peter and Marion on their (at times jet powered) tandem, set off from Three Bridges, and met Roz who had cycled the slightly shorter distance from East Grinstead to Turners Hill. We soon passed Ardingly, and turned off onto the nicer lanes, past Walstead School where the cricket had already started, and then onto Slugwash Lane. Taking a slightly different route than the normal Ditchling at Wivelsfield, we skirted Plumpton, and enjoyed the new surface on the little lane before coming out onto the A275 at Cooksbridge. It was noted the quality of the road surface seemed to correspond to the distance to the County town, or perhaps a councillor lives down the lane.
A short stretch of the busy A275 and we arrived by Lewes prison to turn right and then join the cycle path alongside the A27. This took us up to Falmer, the name of the ride. A walk across the footbridge and we had a quick break by the duck pond. The fantasy part, which is now reality, as we started, and before the hill over the downs to Woodingdean, is the new football stadium, nestling in the downs.

Unfortunately this is where we hit the traffic as there are still 4 way traffic lights at Woodingdean, and thus a long queue of cars, and little chance to whizz past.
Now we had done the hills, and could freewheel down towards Rottingdean, before turning off and cutting the corner, before meeting the cycle path alongside the A259 coast road.
We stopped for lunch at the Roedean cafe, with nice views of the sea, although unfortunately not a sunny day. Setting off for some of the group to catch a train back home, we found Madeira Drive wasnt a nice pootle along the cycle path to the pier, but instead the road was packed with Minis which has been doing their annual London to Brighton run. This meant the group was split up, and I managed to lose those of us who were cycling back to Crawley alongside the A23 on NCN20. Norman, had already said he would use the downs link to get back to Horsham by this time.
Anyway a pleasant 60 miles for me, and hopefully everyone got home safely though the busy Brighton traffic

Brighton (and back)

We had a fairly strong and slightly chilly south westerly wind as we headed south from Three Bridges. But once the six of us had reached Turners Hill the route was predominantly downhill to Ditchling, and so the wind did not worry us too much. Of course the climb of the Beacon went at a fairly slow pace, in fact a speed where the wind’s effects were negligible and so it was only as we headed across the top of the Downs after reaching the summit of the Beacon that we really noticed how strong it was, having to work a little harder than is usual for this stretch. But we had been fortified by tea-cakes and a variety of cakes in the excellent and friendly Café at Ditchling first, so we all had plenty of energy. We bid goodbye to John C at Ditchling as he had to return home (after the tea-cake!). Nonetheless, some had to commence replenishment at the top of the Beacon, however, by starting on ice creams!

It was a lovely day to be on the Downs with good views and we could see the new stadium at Falmer for the first time – it seems quite large but is hidden relatively unobtrusively quite low down.
Once across the Downs we swooped down to the pier via Fiveways and certain parties did their best to get the speed camera to go off! No prizes for guessing who. A very pleasant lunch was had at the Brighton smoke house by the beach; some even found a place to buy a beer to go with it, while I had orange juice (what was wrong with me?!).

One rider decided to return via train – a very efficient 25 minutes to Three Bridges and a few minutes longer to Horsham – a morning ride for lunch at the sea-side of only 30 miles, in good weather and good company – how good is that! (It doesn’t get much better than that????)
The remaining four set off westwards along the front towards Hove and then followed NCR82 north towards the top of the Downs by the golf club at Devils Dyke. This is quite a steady climb in parts, following the line of the old railway to the Dyke, but the views of sea and Downs are good. The route at the beginning has been improved as part of the ‘Brighton Cycling Town’ activity – we are planning to see if we can make Crawley a ‘Cycling Town’; hopefully this will accrue similar benefits for us if we can achieve it.

On reaching the Golf Club we headed downhill stopping only to enjoy the exceptional views over Devils Dyke, Fulking and the Sussex weald, and then via Newtimber to reach the NCR20 alongside the A23. This is mostly a great route as it follows the old A23 – this is a little wide for a cycle route (!), but has good surfaces – although it deteriorates a little during the sections where you actually ride alongside the (M)A23. And, of course, there is a fair amount of climbing to reach Staplefield/Handcross. But we arrived at the Victory, Staplefield for 15.45 and had glass of Doom Bar, before Norman headed back to Horsham via the hammer ponds and the remaining three Crawley people slogged up to Handcross and then home.
A nice day – we left Three Bridges at 09.00 and arrived back at 16.30 having completed 56 miles. We hope that you will consider joining us next time.



Note: we have scheduled two morning rides starting at Three Bridges at 10.00 designed specially for novice/beginner/uncertain (!) riders. These are configured for people who are not used to riding any distance and/or are worried about their speed or level of fitness, and so will be relatively short and easy. The route will be decided on the day, depending on who arrives. But typically we will ride along the Worth Way to East Grinstead, or Hartfield and back, or perhaps go north to Redhill aerodrome for coffee. Probably we will loop around to the vicinity of The Gate in Ifield towards mid-day. It’s up to you!
So please join us – start at 10.00 from Three Bridges station – return to Crawley by 12.30. Dates are Sunday 3rd October and Sunday 31st October.