AV Ride

Today’s ride was the 'AV Ride' to The Cat and Canary in Henfield. There was some doubt that the pub may have been closed so The Plough was a backup.

It was a dual start so Pete,  Al, Denis, Bob and I set off from HPP and headed for Pease Pottage. It was here that we were joined by Gordon,  Jacqui and Malcolm. Anton was also there but was not cycling. Off we went to Handcross where we met up with Ros.

The route took us through Handcross, along the new cycle path to Warninglid, over the A272, Wineham and on to the lunch stop where we met Adrian Veiler (AV), Michael and Christine. The beer was good but the food took a long time to come. I negotiated an extension to our usual lunch hour.

So it was home time. We headed north to Partridge Green and Maplehurst where the Crawley members headed off.

The rest of us headed back to Horsham via Kerves Lane. 35 miles.

Bacon Butty Ride

Today’s ride was a beginners ride to Copsale Village Hall for bacon butties. 
After waiting for no shows we headed off towards Broadbridge Heath utilising the new bridge over the A24. Once over this we headed south on the newly refurbished bridleway through Wickhurst Green, rejoining the road to Christs Hospital. Here we joined the Downs Link to Copsale. 

I had texted the hall to say we were coming but it went unread. Luckily they were prepared for an influx of 16 cyclists. 

After refreshments we headed for Sedgwick and Doomsday Green. Some Crawley members left us here so we said our goodbyes and the rest of us headed back to the Pavilions. Some of us went to the French Market in the Carfax. 
We only did 15 miles but everyone said it was a success so plans are afoot for a revisit. 

Our next ride is an "awayday" ride.  We will meet up at Chichester Station at 10:00 hrs for a "Surf and Turf" ride of about 30 miles. It should be fairly easy as it is all coastal plain down there and quite flat.

The Arun Crossings - DA Event

I enjoy this ride: we criss-cross the river Arun multiple times between Pulborough and Rudgwick on highways and byways. It's a great excuse to fit the knobblies and let my Kona do its thang!

The crowd was slow getting together at Pulborough Station but in the end there were seven of us (just Michael and myself from H&C).

Turning right out of the station, we first used the old bridge at Stopham followed immediately by the new one then up through the woods and a sandy track with great views of the Downs to the south and east. Next we headed north towards Toat before taking a bridleway west for another crossing.  The bridleway took us through a landscape that probably looks pretty much the same as it did a century ago before climbing up to Bedham Lane. This took us north before we turned right onto a bridleway at Horsebridge Hill. A single track trail took us through some woodland then out onto a grassy ride before crossing a small lane and running along the edge of a small valley. Then we went down and across a grassy plain before another river crossing at Pallingham Quays (I think). We next followed a couple of farm tracks before turning left Blackgate lane and then left again to go past Scrase House and then down the hill behind it on a stony-surfaced bridleway. As we reached the bridge over the river we caught up with a couple of horses and being kind and generous folk, we opened the next couple of gates for them. We flew on up the slight gradient before getting on tarmac again for the last mile into Wisborough Green where we stopped at the Old Mill cafe for elevenses.

A good cup of coffee and a selection of delicious pastries later, we were back on the road. We went north and east, past Fishers Farm and dived onto another bridleway. The nest two crossings took us east then west, past Malham Farm then north, out onto Drungewick Lane. 

Next we took the canal path alongside a restored section of the Wey and Arun Canal and pulled up for lunch at the Onslow Arms in Loxwood.

The afternoon saw us head back along the canal before turning north and going through Tismans Common to Rudgwick and then south along the Downs Link. A bridleway then took us west to run round The Haven and into a wood on another bridleway. Back out on Okehurst Road we headed south before going through a farmyard onto another bridleway west and over the river and canal again. Stopping to change my video battery I enjoyed a sprint through a wood to catch up with everyone else as we emerged onto a drive leading to the B2133 at Newpound. Now it was just a case of popping back to Wisborough Green.

I Had a family birthday party to get to so I didn't stop at the cafe and pressed on south - back over the river and canal up the hill and out onto Black Gate Lane then onto Pickhurst Lane and two small climbs before arriving back at Pulborough station to drive back home.

I'd had a really enjoyable day - the weather was warm and sunny, the riding was excellent, the countryside beautiful and the company entertaining.

The Jolly Farmer

It's been a while since I produced a blog - I've missed the last two rides!


This week however, I was leader - no shirking, I had to be there....


A 10:30 start from Three Bridges station meant that I comfortably got there on time and quickly spotted Norman enjoying his breakfast by the (immobile) mobile café. I'd also received a message from Gordon and Jacqui who were in the coffee shop (along with Frank). Then Eric rocked up, followed by Pete E, then Michael and Christine. Nine riders - not bad, not bad at all. The half ten start and proximity of the pub to Crawley meant that I had selected a very easy and straightforward route. We used the NCN21 route out through Three Bridges, Northgate and the Industrial Estate to Gatwick Airport. We headed through Horley, past the Air Balloon pub and out on Meath Green Lane.


BANG!


The Sunday morning silence was broken by Michaels rear tyre blowing up - although it sounded far worse than it was. Once he'd removed the tube, all he found was a small stone sticking through the tyre and a 4mm diameter hole in the tube. Unfortunately his spare had too fat a valve but Gordon saved the day with exactly the right tube (in spite of the fact that it would have fitted neither his nor Jacqui's bike!!).


We were soon back on the road and after a couple of miles took the right turn across to Salford where we had to carefully cross the A23. Continuing eastwards, we were soon at Outwood and passing the windmill. Now we had the only hill of the day and it wasn't up!  Waahay - I just managed to match the speed limit as I freewheeled down and then we just had a short run along the lane to the pub, The Jolly Farmer.


As we locked up the bikes I was extolling the virtues of the last visit to this pub - good food, good drink, good atmosphere, good fire in the grate - so I was more than slightly crestfallen when the landlord revealed that they couldn't offer any food as their chef had recently left. Still, the beer was nice and cheap, so we had a swift quaff whilst working out Plan B.


Plan B: where's the nearest pub? A quick look at the map, coupled with a determination not to ride further away from Crawley, and we decided to head for The Plough at Smallfield. It only took a few minutes but as we pulled up I was worried that it was bit too posh and 'restauranty' for a gaggle of cyclists. However, I was pleasantly surprised as we received a very warm welcome from the staff who quickly pushed some tables together so we could sit as a group and presented us with a varied menu containing plenty of lighter meal options. The food arrived quickly and was most enjoyable. Everyone chipped in to the various conversations and the time just flew by.


As we left, Frank got us all together for a group photo - an impressive feat that I rarely manage due to the similarity groups of cyclists have with herds of cats!  You can rarely get them all in the same place, at the same time, looking the same way.......

From Smallfield I planned to head towards Shipley Bridge via Church Lane and the small bridge over the M23, but I changed my mind and used a tiny lane from Smallfield leading under the M23. A short, slightly muddy section then led us on to another small lane skirting the moat of Thunderfield Castle in Horley. At the end of the lane I had thought about turning left and following the Balcombe Road all the way back to Crawley but a dose of common sense and a nudge from Eric persuaded me to turn right, head for Horley Station and then use the NCN21 back to Gatwick. From Gatwick we retraced our steps into the Industrial Estate but with a quick detour to use the new linear park / cycle path called Crawters Brook. I've ridden through it about five times now and I don't think I've seen anyone else using it so far!

Our group now started to part ways - Gordon, Jacqui and Pete heading West to use the A23 cyclepaths to Broadfield and Horsham. Norman was next to go, heading up Northgate Avenue. The rest of us stayed together until Three Bridges where Frank, Michael and Christine headed back to their cars at the station. Meanwhile Eric and I used the newly resurfaced NCN20 into Furnace Green for me and on to Maidenbower for Eric.

Our next ride on Sunday 7th December will be an easy ride starting from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 10:00hrs and heading for a Lunch stop at the Queens Head in Barns Green. There is the possibility that we will use some gentle offroad tracks but all but the most fragile of bikes will be able to deal with them.  Come on, come out, give yourselves some fresh air and exercise, before Christmas really kicks in!!



DA AGM

Today's ride was simple - leave Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 9:00, get to Pulborough Village Centre by 10:30. My ride over had started off slowly but I'd got into my stride by Roffey and arrived at the start with 10 minutes to spare. Ken rolled up a few minutes later having used the same route over. Next we were joined by Norman and new member, Frank.

I led us out of Horsham over the golf course, down through Broadbridge Heath and on to Bashurst Hill. The skies were mainly blue with a light wind and the temperature was quite balmy for November. 

We were all enjoying the ride and we're having a good old chat as the road took us South. Crossing the A272 was event less and we carried on through Broadford Bridge and up Woods Hill to West Chiltington. After zigzagging down the hill we turned into Stream Lane which lived up to its nam with water running along it for some distance. With no mudguards on my bike I was trying to keep my speed down and bunny hop the worst bits but I still ended up with a damp behind!

I didn't have time to dry out before we were pulling up at Pulborough Village Centre - we'd arrived with 10 minutes to spare and enjoyed some tea, biscuits and a chat before the meeting started. 

The meeting was pretty much the same as usual, friendly and business-like. Oh - we won a couple of trophies as well!! There was a well observed two minute silence at 11:00 and the meeting wound up at about 11:45.

Along with Barbara we made straight for the pub - the Oddfellows Arms and settled down for lunch. Shortly after we were joined by Dave and Louise Galley and then another five DA folk turned up and we had a nice lunchtime drinking, eating and discussing all manner of things. 

The weather was still pleasant as we made our way back but this time via Barns Green, Bax Castle and Tower Hill. Back in Horsham there were now just two of us left to ride along to Crawley. 

Next weeks ride is an Easy Ride suitable for beginners, starting at Three Bridges Station at 10:00hrs. 

The Old Crocks Race

Let's upset the Veteran Car Club by calling their annual London to Brighton Commemorative Run the "Old Crocks Race". Why would I do that you may well ask. Well those blighters have upset me!


They took the decision to change their event and not stop on Crawley High Street this year, instead they stopped at a garage on the outskirts of the town centre. THIS WAS A RUBBISH DECISION.
It appeared to have been driven by a desire to suck up to a sponsor but was hidden by a claim that the High Street was too congested. Too congested? Well you should have seen the mess at the new location - the Veteran Cars overshot the entrance, had to cross a heavy line of oncoming traffic, had very little space to park and had to recross the line of heavy traffic on exit. Couple that with spectator viewing facilities probably less than 10% of what the High Street offers and any fool can see that whoever came up with this change shot themselves well and truly in the foot.  It upset me so much that I fully intend rattling off a complaint to the guilty parties! Crawley has always provided a good level of support to this event but if the Run "organisers" persist in taking it away from the High Street and ignoring the folk of Crawley then perhaps that level of support and accommodation of the associated traffic problems will tail off over coming years and turn what has always been a popular event into an also-ran inconvenience! As a spectator event it's been cocked up so thoroughly that I didn't take a single photograph!!


Anyway, we also had a bike ride.  We met up at Three Bridges station and rode a very zig-zaggy route through Three Bridges and Northgate before bursting into a scene of utter congestion as we neared the London Road. Cars parked left right and centre, car horns being sounded, inept traffic control by RAC tabard clad amateurs and almost no view of the (few) parked Veteran Cars. We had a natter with several disgruntled potential spectators and then decided to ride on.


We headed into the town centre and then, using the same route as the Veteran Cars, headed along a pretty much deserted Boulevard and then out along Southgate Avenue. So far the weather had been overcast but dry, however as we turned south onto the A23 and approached K2, so it started to rain. We ascended Pease Pottage hill, managing to overtake a couple of the old cars and carried on along the old Brighton Road to Handcross. Here we had hoped to stop for some light refreshments but the rain was getting more intense and so we decided to turn around and head back to Gordons a little earlier than planned.


Back at Gordons, he and Jacqui treated us to a nice warming lunch before we got down to the business of drawing up the runs list for the first three months of next year. Many thanks to everyone that turned up for the ride and the runslist meeting and a big thanks to Gordon and Jacqui for hosting.


Don't forget to send in your Christmas Dinner bookings - places are filling up fast.


Our next ride on Sunday 9th November will be a 09:00 start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park We need to get to Pulborough Village Hall for 10:30 in order to attend the  DA AGM and possibly (definitely) pick up a trophy or two. Lunch will be at The Oddfellows Arms nearby and then we'll retrace our outbound route to get back to Horsham by mid afternoon. Crawley folk may well be advised to fit their lights on just in case visibility's not too good by the time we get back......

Stooks at NewBridge

Thanks to Mick for leading what looks to have been an enjoyable ride with plenty of riders out who must have all remembered to alter their clocks!

The start was 9:15 @ HPP where I met Michael and Christine. Next was a new member, Frank from Christs Hospital. Then Norman and finally Pete. We headed off along the Forest Road to Pease Pottage where we met Pete and Marian, John C and Ken. After ringing Stooks to add two to the booking we headed for Handcross, then Slaugham and on to Lower Beeding. Turning right onto the A281 we then went left towards Maplehurst and Copsale. Right and left took us to Southwater Street then over the A24 and into Southwater itself. Bonfire Hill took us to Two Mile Ash and north to Christs Hospital. It was then a quick blast along the A264 to the lunch stop spot on 12:00!
Barbara met us there.
Lunch was good, see picture. 

After lunch Frank headed back home while the rest of headed towards Warnham. Christine couldn't manage the hill so she and Mike returned to HPP via the golf course. The rest of crossed the A24 and railway.
At the T junction Pete, Barbara and Norman turned right to Horsham.
The Crawley members were unsure on their route so I took them part of the way.
Not sure how many miles as my GPS battery died on me! 

Next weeks ride is an easy one - it's Old Crocks Day!  So we will meet up at There Bridges Station at 10:00 hrs, ride into town and see if we can spot a few veteran cars before pacing/racing/crawling along with them out as far as (perhaps) Staplefield before returning to Crawley, At 13:00 all members are invited to the Runs List meeting at Gordon's House (contact me for details) where we can determine what rides we want to go on during Q1 of next year (January, February, March 2015). Gordon and Jacqui are kindly providing refreshments once more.

Pooh Sticks

The weather forecast for Sunday was "unseasonably warm with occasional showers".  Waking up to a dull,  overcast day with dampness in the air I though the forecast must be wrong and was feeling a bit glum as I waited at Three Bridges station to see if anyone else would turn up. I'd already arranged to meet up with Ros and in response to a John V text, I'd arranged to meet him at the same place, so I knew there would be three of us but then Michael emerged from the rail replacement bus laden car park.  Due to the time I'd arranged to meet Ros and JV, we left Three Bridges bang on 09:30 and just a few minutes later I received a phone call from Ken asking where we were - we must have missed each other by seconds!  Anyway, we all managed to find each other at Keepers Cottage and continued along the Worth Way to East Grinstead. There was a bit of splatter coming up from the surface - it didn't trouble anyone though: everyone else had mudguards and I didn't care about getting muddy!


It didn't take us long to get to East Grinstead and here we split up, more or less according to bike type. The road and hybrid riders used a road route through the town and on to Forest Row, the mountain bikers tackled the station steps, the ascent of the west face of Grinny High Street and the motorway standard bike path that is the first part of the Forest Way before arriving at the Café (by the tip) in Forest Row (ahead of the road/hybrid johnnies).


The café was 10 minutes or so from opening so we didn't hang around but carried on east with the skies starting to clear a bit and allow the sun to warm things up a touch. We seemed to fly along and it was only a short time before we were at Hartfield. We rode up through the village and on up past the Gallipot Inn (I collected some sticks and twigs on the way). As we were paused to regroup at the crossroads we had a chat with some poor bloke who'd just filled his diesel car up with petrol and was waiting for a breakdown truck to arrive (he'd already been waiting about two hours!!!).


I had to ride carefully along the bridleway/private drive as I had a whole handful of sticks ready for the coming competition. As usual, I said hello to other people as we passed them and remember doing so to an oriental couple shortly before arriving at Poohsticks Bridge - they seemed amused that I had brought my own Poohsticks.


We had a good few games of Poohsticks and also spotted a rather large crayfish in the river - although it disappeared when a large dog jumped in and started hauling an eight foot long branch through the water!

As it was now 11:45 it was time to head for the pub, so we climbed up through the woods to the car park and then enjoyed the quiet lane heading West. As I approached the ford it looked like it was really deep - at least two feet - but on closer inspection it was only about 5 inches deep so I rode backwards and forwards through it a few times, washing the mud off my wheels and demonstrating to the others that it was easily negotiable.


From the ford it was just a half mile up the lane to the pub at Colemans Hatch (not Chucks Hatch as I keep calling it). The pub was busy and full inside, but it was pleasant enough to sit outside and we quickly got our beers and food ordered. Unusually for pubs these days, this one did a good range of sandwiches on a Sunday. The beer was very good and the sandwiches (which were very nice) arrived pretty quick. We would definitely recommend this pub for cyclists (as would the other twenty odd cyclists that were also there).


I gave everyone the choice of a road route home or to use the Forest Way/Worth Way again. They all opted for the latter which pleased me as it was the one I wanted to do. The ride back to East Grinstead was very pleasant with the sun flickering through the trees and colourful leaves swirling around in the wind, which we were just beginning to notice (it was now in our faces). Arriving at East Gribnstead station we said goodbye to Ros and just before we pulled off I noticed the oriental couple we'd seen earlier just going to catch a train (I said hello again).


We made good progress back along the Worth Way with the trees sheltering us from the effects of the headwind and reaching Worth we said goodbye to first Ken then John before I left Michael to head back to the station by himself.  I swooped down through Maidenbower and used the newly reopened second tunnel under the railway - it's all neatly surfaced and illuminated now. Just a couple of minutes later I was home and getting ready to head across town to a family party.


Our next ride is on Sunday 26th October and will have an 09:15 start from Horsham Pavilion in the Park (it's not early, you'll have had an extra hour in bed due to the clock change). Going via the Black Swan at Pease Pottage at 10:00hrs, Mick will lead you on a very nice, clockwise loop to the south and on to lunch at Newbridge Garden Centre. This will be a medium rated route entirely on road and about 35 miles in total.


Before then, it's our AGM.     Please come along to the Dog and Bacon in Horsham on Wednesday 22nd October at 1930 - help make your club work for you.

Rudgwick Apple Day

We tried to run a ride to Rudgwick Apple Day last year but it was raining so heavily that we only got as far as Slinfold before turning back! This year, the weather was much better - Autumnal and overcast but pleasant enough for riding a bike.

Malcolm got in touch on Saturday night and we arranged to meet up at Furnace Green shops to ride over to Horsham in the morning. I was there at the allotted time but where was Malcolm?  A quick phone call revealed that he was at Furnace Green shops in Tilgate!!  No matter, I soon joined him and off we went. For some reason my legs were feeling really good and I got a nice spin on going up Pease Pottage Hill - I couldn't quite keep my speed in double figures all the way to the top but the hill didn't seem to hurt me as much as usual. As I was about to turn right at the mini-roundabout towards Pease Pottage I was engulfed in a throng of scooterists and just managed to stay on my bike in spite of clipping the back of one of them who had insisted on riding through my outstretched, right-signalling arm!! No problem though, they were all heading south - perhaps to a date with some deckchair-hurling rockers on Brighton beach?

Arriving at Horsham Pavilion in the Park, we were met by Mick and Barbara. and after hanging around for a few minutes in case of latecomers, we headed off. We left Horsham using the glf course/Robin Hood Lane route but then headed north to Warnham. Here I opted to go past the Greets Inn and then up the quiet lane northwards - I was hoping for some autumn colour in the woodlands here, but I think we were just a couple of weeks early. We carried on north and east, passing the unusual Tower House:

Next we headed up the A29 for a mile and then across to Okewood before turning south to Ellens Green and Cox Green. As we reached Rudgwick so we turned right and headed down past the old Rudgwick Brickworks. There's a nice cafe there but we didn't stop and carried on down to the t-junction at the end. Now we only had a short 80 yard ride along the A281 before turning right into the playing field where the Apple Fair was being held.

The next few shots show the apple pressing process:

We each sampled the ciders but to be honest I thought they were all a bit rough, however, the Jerk Chicken with rice and beans that I had for lunch was superb. There were several stalls around, some selling things, others just showcasing facilities or organisations but the one I made a beeline for was the plate-smashing stall!  Six throws for a quid - it had to be done and with three direct hits I managed to render about half a dozen pots and plates down to mere fragments....

We'd been met by Michael and Christine at the Fair and we'd all sat around eating, drinking and chatting. We'd also noticed that there were a lot of red faces amongst the apple folk and we came to the conclusion there had been a lot of cider sampling going on before we'd got there!!

Eventually we remounted and headed back home. We used a fairly easy route back via the Haven, Slinfold and Broadbridge Heath. Returning along Robin Hood Lane, I took this photo of the deer in the deer park.

Mick and Barbara left us in Horsham and Malcolm and I rode back to Crawley along the Forest Road to get back not long after 3pm.

Our next ride, on Sunday 19th October is a 9:30 Three Bridges Station start. We will be going to Poohsticks Bridge in Ashdown Forest. The probable route will be Worth Way/Forest Way all the way to Hartfield, climb up the road and into Ashdown Forest, Poohsticks Bridge, The Hatch Inn at Chucks Hatch for lunch, then back either by road or returning along the Forest Way/Worth Way. I would recommend strong tourers, hybrids or mountain bikes for this ride and we'll probably clock up somewhere between 35 and 40 miles.

Gordon's B-Ride

Lot's of words begin with B and Gordon tries to tick off as many as possible with this ride - breakfast, bacon, beans, bread, bikes, Broadfield, bridleways, Bob, beer, beautiful weather,

I took Gordon up on his offer of breakfast and rolled up on his doorstep at the unearthly time of 08:30. As we ate we discussed the coming ride and speculated on who else would turn up. When we ventured out the early morning chill was starting to dissipate and by the time we reached Parish lane we were getting quite comfortable. Gordon, Jacqui and I paused at the noticeboard for the Tilgate Downhill Bike Park where we read that it has ceased to be!

I enjoyed a speedy run down the firebreak to the "Orange" tree and having crossed the motorway I was just winding up to speed down through the golf course when I spotted two horses coming up so I came to a halt whilst they passed.

The downhill was clear so I rattled down at speed with a big smile on my face. Then it was through the woods and down the steps into Marion Road (everyone else uses the gate, but I love using the steps). Gordon took us on, into Maidenbower and then up the cycle path to the Worth Way and across to Three Bridges Station.

The station forecourt was a scene of carnage - the railway to Brighton was shut and so there were buses everywhere, taxis toing and froing, and displaced cars filling in the remaining gaps. Three cyclists (Ken, Eric and Sebastian) managed to negotiate through it all and now there were six of us.

We headed through Three Bridges along NCN20 until Northgate Avenue where we followed the cycle path towards the town centre. Next we travelled along The Boulevard and then up the High Street before negotiating the one way system, crossing the railway and turning right onto Springfield Road. The day was getting better and better as the temperature continued to rise and the blue sky stretched from horizon to horizon. We passed through Goffs Park, crossed into Gossops Green, ran down into Bewbush and then through the scrubby woodland to the railway crossing point.

This is NCN228 and we stayed on it until the far end of Wimlands Lane where we turned right (instead of left) onto Wimland Road and headed towards Rusper. At the end of the road we turned left onto the Horsham Road and followed it down the hill before turning left (and back onto NCN228) onto Channells Brook Bridleway. There was quite a strong chemical smell here, but we soon passed it. At the end we turned right, crossed the railway and then the A264 before stopping for a tea break at the Strawberry Fields café (at New House Farm).

Refreshed, we carried on along the Crawley Road to the Roffey traffic lights and onto Harwood Road. we popped in to the car park at Leechpool woods to see if there was a route across to a bridleway we wanted to use, but no luck, so we carried on, turned left at the roundabout onto Comptons Lane and then left, just after the mini-roundabout, onto Hampers Lane. This lane is a public bridleway and starts off as a tarmac surface but then turns south away from the tarmac. Eventually it spat us out onto Hammerpond Road for a quick downhill across the tail of Roosthole Pond. Everyone else faced up to the incline to the car park entrance but I cheated, leapt off the road and road through the undergrowth to avoid the climb. I rejoined everyone in the car park and was greeted with some sarcasm (although I reckon it was envy). The trail up from the car park to Mick Mills Race has been much improved since last I rode it and was very enjoyable in the bright sunshine. The main drag up Mick Mills Race was a pleasure too and seemed to take but a couple of minutes.

On reaching the Forest Road we headed east to Colgate and then turned right onto Blackhouse Road. This was a pleasant downhill roll followed by a short climb and a left onto Grouse Road. From here we headed on into Pease Pottage and my party-piece ride down the slope by the Marie Vesco steps. Once over the road, we said goodbye to Eric and Sebastian who were heading through Tilgate Forest and back to Maidenbower.  The rest of us pulled up at Gordon's where we were treated to a delicious lunch - ahhhhh, this is the life - cycling, sunshine, food - and beer!

Thanks Gordon and Jacqui for a most enjoyable day.

Next weeks ride starts from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 10:00 hrs and will be an easy ride over to Rudgwick for the Apple Fair.  Hopefully it won't be wet like last year when we didn't actually get there because it was so wet!

AGM at Pulborough

'Good-morning; good-morning!' the General said

When we met him last week on our way to the line.

Now the soldiers he smiled at are most of 'em dead,

And we're cursing his staff for incompetent swine.

'He's a cheery old card,' grunted Harry to Jack

As they slogged up to Arras with rifle and pack.

But he did for them both by his plan of attack.

Siegfried Sassoon.

Today's ride took us to Pulborough for the DA AGM. 

I met up with Anton, Norman, Val and Ken at Horsham Park Pavilion. We headed through Horsham town centre, up Tower Hill and onto Two Mile Ash Road. Barns Green, Coneyhurst and Broadford Bridge were soon behind and Woods Hill was in front of us. We gritted our teeth and all five of us made it up the hill and carried on to West Chiltington. We swept down the hill, onto Stream Lane and some 10 minutes later pulled up at Pulborough Village hall for the AGM. We joined about twenty other members for the meeting, during which we observed a respectful silence and awarded several trophies - most of which were won by Horsham and Crawley section.

We headed for lunch at The Rising Sun in Nutbourne. The pub was quite busy and we couldn't find  enough space for all of us. That, coupled with the fact that they didn't do sandwiches, made us finish our drinks, get back on our bikes and head for Sumners Ponds. We had a nice lunch there, sitting outside for probably the last time this year.

It was an easy ride back to Horsham where we left Norman and Val. Ken and I cycled back towards Crawley although he used the main road and I used the Forest Road. Back home, I realised I'd clocked up about 50 miles - it hadn't seemed that far!

Our next ride, on Sunday 17th November, starts from Three Bridges station at 10:00 hrs and is called "Horsham at Arms Length". We'll follow a clockwise route skirting around Horsham with a lunch stop at The Blue Ship in The Haven and possibly a tea stop at Capel church later on. The mileage will be about 40 or so and there will be a couple of hills.

Veteran Car Run

"Easy" it said on the runs list. That, combined with dry, if cold, weather made this a popular ride - there were ten of us at the start. We headed to the High Street via the Old Three Bridges Road, the shared use path behind the College and then The Boulevard. Having locked our bikes to some railings we realised that there were some nice new bike racks just a few yards away! The High Street was full of Veteran cars and their proud owners.

Then we retrieved our bikes and rode along with the cars as they headed through the bus station and out along Southgate Avenue. At K2 we girded our loins and started up Pease Pottage Hill. I find the easiest way up is to pick a veteran car travelling at a speed you can keep up with and tuck in behind it. As they go up the hill they tend to slow down a bit and with focussing on keeping close but safe, you find you've conquered the hill without really trying. 

Click on this link to see what I mean:   http://youtu.be/7LwS4sTefNA

I'm pleased to report that all ten of us managed to ride up the hill - excellent work folks. We carried on, riding along with the Old Crocks to Handcross where JC peeled off to do a fast run to Turners Hill. The rest of us carried on to Staplefield. Here we left the crowds behind and headed west, through Slaugham to stop for lunch at The Wheatsheaf in Plummers Plain. The wisdom of timing our rides to arrive at the lunch stop at midday was well demonstrated - we managed to get a table for all nine of us  - if we'd arrived half an hour later, we'd have been scattered at different tables throughout the pub.

The weather was still clear when we got back outside making the ride home really pleasant. We headed along Hammerpond Lane and then turned up Grouse Road. Norman and Sandra then went back to Horsham via Colgate. Gordon and Ken were next to peel off followed by Pete and Marion, then Val and finally I left Narinder to ride the last few hundred yards back to Three Bridges station.

Next weeks ride starts at 09:00 from Horsham Pavilion in the Park to attend the D.A. AGM which starts at 10.30 in Pulborough Village Hall. This will be followed by lunch at The Rising Sun, Nutbourne and will be an easy/medium ride of about 35 miles.

Winkworth Arboretum

Spring forwards, fall backwards - aha, that means an extra hour in bed. Where did it go? By the time I'd found my rack pack, transferred my spare tubes, repair kit, tools, waterproofs into it, found my NT card, bankcard, cycle wallet, filled up my water bottle and all the other bits and bobs necessary to go out for a days cycling, i already had only 30 minutes in which to ride a 40 minute journey! As I rode through Tilgate the nice bright patch of sky had been blown away by the gusting wind and by the time I crested Pease Pottage Hill, the heavens were opening. I sheltered in the lee of some bushes by the service station and lost another 5 minutes but then a bigger blue patch was dominating and I could remount. I pressed on, manfully, into the teeth of the wind and managed to claw back some time but was still 10 minutes late getting to Horsham Pavilion in the Park. There I met Pete E and John C and we were shortly after joined by Norman. My phone then rang and John V said he was only a few minutes away and what route were we taking - I told him and we set off.

The golf course was deserted although there were several cars on Robin Hood Lane. On Byfleets Lane (formerly Granny's Lane) John V caught us up and then when we reached the A281 Norman left us to head for home ( he'd been out on some muddy tracks before meeting us and felt he's had enough exercise). Pete lead us up Rowhook Hill, then as we waited at the turn to Ellens Green, we found out that John V had had a puncture and that he would catch up with us. We rode slowly on to Cox Green and then Baynards. No sign of John, but then a text saying he'd meet us in Cranleigh - we were still a mile away and he was already there!

In Cranleigh we took a road to the north and headed through Shamley Green and Wonersh to Bramley where we started up a long hill that just seemed to go on and on. Regrouping at the top, Pete told us that we just had to turn left and the Arboretum was an easy mile away. He was right and we were soon sat down having our lunch. There'd been a long queue in the cafe - too many people brandishing large denomination notes/plastic cards/vouchers. When we'd finished eating, three of us headed into the garden to see the autumn colours, leaving JV to look after our bikes.

Here are some pictures:

We arrived back at our bikes and got back on them. Now we headed south and after a short climb had a good fast downhill before turning to a more easterly direction and getting the benefit of the wind on our backs. We were soon in Cranleigh once more and then used the B road back to Ellens Green. Rowhook Hill was nicer now we were going down it and a few minutes later we said goodbye to JV who was heading through Warnham and Rusper back to Crawley. Pete, JC and I recrossed the still empty golf course and finished riding soon after with JC very kindly giving me a lift back to Crawley as I was feeling tired - looking at my speedo I was surprised to see I'd clocked up 51 miles!

Next weeks ride is an easy one. Sunday 3rd November is the first sunday in November and that means just one thing - Old Crocks Race.  Meet at Three Bridges station at 10:00hrs. We'll ride to the High Street, soak up the atmosphere as the Veteran Cars come and go, then we'll ride with them along Southgate Avenue and up Pease Pottage Hill (pick a suitable Old Crock and slipstream it up the hill - it's the easiest and fastest way up). Depending on the weather, who's out and what they want to do, we'll either lunch at The Black Swan or carry on riding to lunch at Staplefield or Slaugham or Plummers Plain. It's a nice freeform day which we can shape to be whatever we want it to be.

See you there.

The Bluebell Railway

Looking forward to today's ride, I opened the curtains to be confronted by a torrential downpour. Hmmmmmm. Do I still want to go for a bike ride? Well.... I had washed and re proofed my waterproofs during the week, so maybe here was an opportunity to test out my handiwork?

As usual I was late arriving at the start - this week my excuse was the length of time it took me to fit my rear rack and associated mudguard, my front mudguard and pull on my nice, clean waterproofs, but - the rain had stopped!

Waiting at Three Bridges were Pete E, Michael, Norman and Narinder. A quick text conversation with Ros and we'd arranged to meet her at East Grinstead, another text conversation confirmed that Gordon would not be falling off joining up with us this week.

The Worth Way provided a firm and reliable surface, although a lot of muddy water was getting picked up and sprayed around by our tyres. We sped along through Rowfant and Crawley Down until we arrived at East Grinstead station where we met Ros and Carol in the railway carriage cafe:

After this brief encounter there were now seven of us and we headed up the High Street and onto The Forest Way for the quick sprint down to Forest Row (Ros used the road in order to avoid getting as besmattered as we were). 

From Forest Row we used Priory Road to climb up into Ashdown Forest. It was a stiffer climb than I was anticipating and we stopped at the crossroads to get our breath back before turning left and then right onto Twyford Lane. This is one of my favourite lanes and I freewheeled down it at about thirty mph. Towards the bottom of the hill it gets a bit bendier, steeper and narrower but today it was also muddier and slippier. I splashed through the ford which was disappointingly shallow, and waited for the others with my video camera running all the way:

Left at the scissor-shaped crossroads and climb back up until we were once more on the main Ashdown Forest ridge. From here we went across to Chelwood gate and on to Nutley before turning south on the A22 and then right onto Nether Lane which becomes Down Street - another really excellent lane for riding. Now it was just a case of going through Splaynes Green to get to Sheffield Green where we turned left for the short run down the A275 to the Bluebell Railway.

Here we had a nice meal in the Bessemer Arms before doing some sightseeing around the station. Someone was acting like an over-excited schoolboy (I shan't say who, but he had a purple jacket on) and kept up a non-stop commentary on all the railwayana surrounding us.

He didn't even stop once we got on the train! Ros may well have had enough though, for she decided to cycle back to East Grinstead.

The journey up the line was however most memorable for the fact that the heavens opened and it absolutely poured with rain - we'd avoided getting wet whilst cycling and now we were warm and dry in our own compartment as the train splashed through the torrential downpour (we did think about Ros though - has she dried out yet??).

Bang on cue, the sun came back out just as the train pulled into our stop at East Grinstead - timing!

Here's the magnificent loco that was pulling our train - it's a Class 9F, the last class of steam locomotive built for British Rail. Ask Norman what the wheel arrangement is...

The ride back to Three Bridges along the Worth Way was uneventful but once more splattered us in muddy water. We didn't mind, we'd had a really nice day out (in spite of the weather).

Next weeks ride is hopefully timed just right - it goes to Winkworth Arboretum, a National Trust garden that has spectacular autumn colours, so bring your NT card if you've got one. There is a cafe there (it's just outside the garden so you don't need to pay entry/show your card if you just want some refreshments).  The start will be from Horsham Park Pavilion at 09:30 hrs for a ride of about 30-35 miles and I would rate it as easy-medium.  Don't forget, the clocks will have gone back on Saturday night/Sunday morning, so it will be brighter in the morning.

Rudgwick Apple Day

It was trying to rain as I made my way from Pease Pottage to Horsham, but I was comfortable in my waterproofs. Arriving at the Pavilion in the Park, I found three riders waiting for me - Barbara, Val and Norman. We lingered over our coffees but eventually ventured out into the now constant rain. Barbara was delivering copies of the Pedaller which left just three if us to head off over the golf course, through Broadbridge Heath and on into Slinfold. Norman felt he was wet enough and was going to head home from Slinfold and, when I mentioned we'd be going up a hill there, Val queried whether I'd mind turning back as well. I'd been looking forward to this ride for a few weeks and trying to anticipate what the Apple Day would be like, but with the rain rattling down all I could now imagine was a sad, sorry, muddy field with just a few soggy punters wandering around it. "let's head back" I said - so we did. Norman stayed with us until we were back in Horsham and Val kindly offered me a lift back to Crawley. End result: not many miles covered, mental note to try and get to the Apple Day next year.

Skimmington Castle

Three Bridges start.

Frank, Pat, Barbara, Norman, Gordon, John C, Anton, Bob.

Old Hollow, Copthorne Bank, Smallfield, Redhill Aerodrome (elevenses), Salfords, Dovers Green, Slipshatch, Flanchford, Reigate Heath, Skimmington Castle (lunch).

Betchworth, Parkgate, Gordon in a ditch, Charlwood, Ifield, Crawley.

Next weeks ride is a new one for us. It starts from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 10:00hrs and will be an easy ride to Rudgwick for the Apple Fair. Hopefully we'll enjoy all the fair has to offer and then return the short distance back to Horsham. 

Off-road ride

By way of a change, we organised a Saturday ride this week. It was Gordon's idea and he also invited us all to breakfast at his house beforehand. I was the last one there and, puffing from the hill up to his house, I joined Gordon, Norman and Dave to enjoy a nice bacon sandwich and cuppa tea.

Just in case anyone else turned up, we rode over to the Black Swan before heading off along Parish Lane. We squeezed through the squeeze gate and into Tilgate Forest. As someone had recently reported on the Crawley Cycle Forum Facebook page, the top end of NCN20 was blocked with a fallen tree so we had to carry our bikes over it. Gordon was checking the cycle route signage was ok and we were soon speeding down the firebreak and spraying dew from the grass all over ourselves.   Crossing over the motorway we then had a nice fast blast down through the golf course followed by the wriggling path through the woods before emerging in Furnace Green.

The tunnel under the railway took us into Maidenbower and then it was just a question of using the cycle paths up to the Worth Way. We continued on, past Worth Church and over the motorway again. The Worth Way was very pleasant and not at all busy and we were soon at Crawley Down. Here we took to the road and headed south to Turners Hill. After the climb, we needed a break so we stopped at The Crown for refreshments. Coffees all round (apart from my beer that is)!

We got going again and spent several minutes getting over the crossroads just outside the pub before stopping to inflate Normans front tyre. Gordon led us on through Worth Abbey and then onto the  Whitely Hill bridleway. Once we'd crossed the Balcombe Road, I stopped to change the battery in my camera and let everyone else go ahead.

Eventually, after answering a phone message, I got going but was only just getting settled into the singletrack when I came across Norman who'd had an off and hurt his leg a little. We sorted out his bike and carried on down the track.

 Crossing the railway, the bridleway migrated from sandy mud, through stony track to tarmac and became Parish lane. Norman decided to head for home at this point, leaving Gordon, Dave and myself to go off for some fun in the woods - with our bikes, madam!!

Gordon led us backwards and forwards through the forest and eventually down a hill - this one:

As you can see, Gordon made a spectacular flight over his handlebars, but is made of strong stuff and having got his breath back was straightaway leading us up another hill. Not long after, it was time for me to head home (I needed to get off to football) and the last two worked their way through the western part of the Forest and back to Gordons house.

Easy ride West of Horsham

Whoops!   I've been so busy trying to create a film of the off-road ride Anton and I did at Deers Leap that I haven't produced a blog for last weeks Sunday ride.

Here's a link to the film:    http://youtu.be/Y7VTqcLihAA

Anyway, on Sunday I was back on the Tarmac with slick tyres and heading for the Horsham start. At the Pavilions in the Park I was met by Val, Ken and Norman. I'd promised a fairly flat ride but having used the golf course route out of Horsham I soon had them riding up Rowhook Hill. We then went past Baynards and through Cox Green to go down the hill and over a very quiet A281 to Tismans Common.  We carried on Westerwards as far as Loxwood where we stopped at the canal for a breather and a chinwag.

Heading south, the hill out Loxwood seemed much easier than usual but rather than head towards Ifold as I'd originally planned, I decided to take the second right and keep going south. At the end of the road I pointed out to everyone that the area to the right was the next one under threat of Fracking. We turned left and were quickly in Wisborough Green where we pulled up at The Old Mill Cafe for lunch.

At this point I would like to suggest to you, dear reader, that you never, ever try and swat a wasp whilst enjoying lunch and drinks with some chums. It's unnecessary and you might just knock Normans nearly full glass of apple juice all over the place!

In order to keep to my promise of minimal hill climbing, the route back saw us head north from Wisborough Green to Roundstreet Common and then use Drungewick Lane back to Tismans Common (ok, there is a short sharp hill after the canal on Drungewick Lane - but it's only about thirty pedal strokes long). We used a short stretch of the A road through Bucks Green and then headed south and east past The Haven before a quick run along part of the A29. We next had a slight incline up before a nice long freewheel down into Slinfold. 

Going past the new roundabout I found myself wondering why the lamp posts had been positioned IN the footpath rather than in the grass verge - it would appear that the County Council in their "wisdom" think it better for pedestrians (perhaps with prams or in wheelchairs) to manoeuvre past the street furniture rather than the three times a year grass cutting team. Who are these publicly employed jokers supposed to be working for? Next thing you know, they'll be letting tax-avoiding multinational companies pump poisonous chemicals into the rocks beneath our feet to fracture it and release a bit of gas and maybe oil that they can sell at a ridiculous price in order for it to be burnt and further exacerbate our planet's global warming problem!

After Broadbridge Heath we used Robin Hood Lane and crossed the golf course to arrive back in Horsham where we said goodbye to Norman and Val. Ken and I used the Forest Road back to Pease Pottage with Ken setting down a cracking pace and me almost holding on to his coattails. We had a good fast run down Pease Pottage. Hill and I was home by about 15:20 having clocked up about 50 miles.

This weekend sees a ride on both Saturday and Sunday:

On Saturday we have an off-road ride of about 20 miles starting from the Black Swan (Pease Pottage) at 10:00hrs. If you go to Gordon's first (from about 09:15) he'll treat you to a bacon roll and cup of tea at his place (address on the runs list). Mountain bikes are recommended, but a good touring bike may be OK.

Sunday we'll be back on Tarmac and will see Frank lead his popular ride to The Skimmingham Castle for lunch  - that's a 9:30 start from Three Bridges Station for an easy 35 mile ride without any big hills.

DA AGM, Pulborough

 

Could I get across to Horsham for 09:00hrs?      No!      I phoned Barbara and she took on the leadership role, I concentrated on trying to get to Pulborough for 10:30. As it was, I was 15 minutes late getting there!!

 

The AGM proceeded pretty much in the usual fashion and when it came to dishing out the prizes, we (Horsham and Crawley) were on the receiving end of most of them. The picture shows Ros who, with Anne, attended the most DA Events:

 

 

At the conclusion of business, most of us rode the short distance to The Sun at Nutbourne for lunch. After some good food, good ale and good company, we all headed off home before the sun got too low.



Our next ride, on Sunday 18th November, will be led by Anton and head North and West from Horsham. It will start from Horsham Park Pavilion at 10:00 hrs and will be a medium ride of about 35 miles.  Remember, 35 miles is only 3.5 hours cycling.  See you Sunday.

Veteran Car Run 2012