You Beauty!

Clear skies this morning and the temperature was low – there was a slight frost on my shed roof when I opened my curtains – consequently it took me a while to get enthusiastic and ready. Leggings today for the first time in several months, and long-fingered gloves.

I only left myself 35 minutes to get to Horsham but thought that having to push the pace would warm me up. Mind you, after the first mile I was regretting not wearing a bandana to keep my head warm – my brain was cold and I noticed my decision-making was decidedly sluggish! A quick cut through K2 and I started up Pease Pottage Hill. By the time I reached the top I was nice and warm and mentally firing on all cylinders. I’d like to say that I really ‘put the hammer down’ as I travelled through Pease Pottage and Colgate but the truth is that I just couldn’t step up the pace. It seems like I’ve been running on empty for a few weeks now although I don’t feel unfit or ill – perhaps I need a break from cycling?

Anyway, I arrived at Horsham Park Pavilions bang on 09:30 to find Barbara, John, Norman and Richard waiting for me. After chatting for a few minutes we headed off along Hurst Road, down North Parade and Springfield Road before heading up Worthing Road to turn right by the Boars Head. I always find this right turn as we go up a hill really awkward but usually speaking the cars give us plenty of leeway. After Tower Hill it’s generally downhill all the way to the Bax Castle where the road crosses the route of The Downs Link. Two Mile Ash road continues this downward trend onwards to Barns Green and apart from a slight up gradient on Valewood Lane and another on West Chiltington Lane, there wasn’t much to tax us.

The A272 was deserted as we crossed it at Coneyhurst and the B2133 was just as deserted at Broadford Bridge. All signs of the frost had long since disappeared – indeed there had been none on any of the roads – and the sun was now blindingly bright. Woods Hill was as steep as ever and for the second consecutive time we met a big (milk?) tanker at the top of the hill.




Heading on through West Chiltington the sweeping bends of The Hollow were spoilt for me by the slow-coach cars impeding my progress. Sunday Drivers!! Stream Lane was deathly quiet as was Nutbourne Road. As we headed towards the A283 I cast my usual glance at the bamboo thicket on the right in the hope of spotting a panda. I’ll probably fall off my bike if I ever spot one!

We resisted the temptation to stop for elevenses at Wiggonholt and carried on to skirt the north and west of the Parham estate down towards Rackham before turning right to Amberley. Here Barbara spotted a selection of knobbly squashes for sale and bought four to load into her panniers. I was trying to get a photo looking north over Amberley Wildbrooks but although it looked good with the naked eye, the photo was rubbish.



We stopped at The Black Horse for lunch and partook of good quality food and an excellent pint or two of Harveys Sussex Bitter. To be honest, I could have stayed in the pub all afternoon – but that wouldn’t have got me home for dinner. So it was back outside to the bikes.



In spite of the sunshine, it wasn’t warm and we didn’t hang around. Barbara had decided to ride on to Amberley Station and get a train back to Horsham, the rest of us headed back the way we’d come. Then at West Chiltington we carried on east to the B2139 Coolham Road. Heading north we then took Sincox Lane across to Broomers Corner and then passed The Countryman before heading into Southwater on the Shipley Road. It always seems like a long drag up through Southwater on the Worthing Road and I’m always glad when we turn off onto Southwater Street to cross over the A24. The first part of Kerves Lane is nicely downhill but then it’s slightly uphill for the last half mile to the A281. Skirting through eastern Horsham, we said goodbye to John as he headed down Depot Road to go to Horsham Station. Then it was goodbye to Norman at the Harwood Road roundabout and just Richard and me to carry on back to Crawley. As usual I found the Forest Road hard work for the first couple of miles but once past Colgate I got my second wind and on reaching Pease Pottage knew that it was downhill all the way home from there. 55 miles came up on my speedo as I said goodbye to Richard and pulled up at home six and a half hours after setting off.
Here's the ride profile from Horsham and back to Horsham:



Don't forget our AGM is this Thursday (22nd October) from 19:30 hrs at the Broadbridge Heath Village Centre. Please come along and influence the types of rides and destinations for the coming year.
The next ride is on Sunday 25th October and is a two hour ride to Chartwell from Three Bridges Railway Station starting at 09:30 hrs. Expected return will be about 15:00 hrs.

Railway Crossings Ride

Ride: Blacksmith's Arms, Adversane
Distance: 40 miles - medium
Leader: Mick

Today’s ride was named the ‘Railway Crossings’ ride. The attendees, John H, John C, Bob and Anton were advised to pay attention to the route as there would be a quiz at the lunch stop.

Duly warned we turned left out of Three Bridges station towards Crawley. I had decided to shout woo-woo when we crossed the railway. We turned left just before the Squareabout onto a cycle track and over (woo-woo) the railway. After the cycle path we headed towards the Hawth theatre and over the railway (woo-woo) near the old leisure centre. We then passed the new library to go under the railway (woo-woo) before turning right into the hotel car park to come out behind Crawley Station. Turning right we went over the level-crossing (woo-woo) and, utilizing the cycle path round Asda, headed past the Swan, over another level-crossing (woo-woo) and right onto the cycle path along the bottom of Goffs park. Crossing over the A23 into Gossops Green we turned right onto Overdene Drive (woo-woo) to pass Ifield station.

We now headed out on the Rusper Road, past The Gate, The Lamb and The Frog and Nightgown public houses before crossing the railway (woo-woo) near the A264. We went straight over the A264 and used the old Crawley road before turning right and then onto the Horsham bypass (woo-woo). Left into Horsham took us past Littlehaven Station (woo-woo) and Novartis (woo-woo). Passing through Horsham we headed towards the Boar’s Head and crossed over the railway once more (woo-woo). Right at the pub then through Christ’s Hospital (woo-woo) before arriving in Barns Green. Left in the village (woo-woo) before taking two right turns to get onto Back Lane and over the level crossing (woo-woo). From there we headed south to Coneyhurst and another overbridge (woo-woo).



It was then over the A272 and eventually turned right at Broadford Bridge to take the B2133 owards Adversane, our lunch venue and also the last of the railway crossings (woo-woo). Arriving at the pub at 12:04 we found John V waiting for us.

Having warned the pub of our visit previously it was a bit of a surprise to find a new landlord. They had a restricted menu but did sandwiches so that suited us. It was now quiz time. The quiz was one question ‘How many times did we cross the Three Bridges to Bognor railway line?’ John H guessed 5, John C guessed 13, Anton guessed 17 and Bob guessed 16. The correct answer was 16, see above and count the woo-woos, so well done to Bob.

After lunch John V made his own way home and the rest of us set off in the rain. The route was Billingshurst, Barns Green and Southwater. Anton left us in Southwater so now there was only four. Right into Southwater Street took us through Sedgewick and over the A281. This led us to Hammerponds where I turned left to Horsham and the others turned right towards Crawley.
The distance was a bit over the scheduled 40 - in fact John H, who provided this profile of the ride, covered nearly 50!






Our next ride is entitled "You Beauty" and starts from Horsham Park Pavilion at 09:30 hrs on Sunday 18th October. It will be about 40 miles (4 hours of cycling) with a stop for lunch at the Black Horse in Amberley. It's rated as medium but as my legs are tired I'll be looking to make it easier ;-) The weather forecast is looking good with clear skies predicted to last all day Sunday.

Kent Caff

A nice sunny morning but with a slight chill in the air saw six of us congregate at Three Bridges Station – John C, Pat, Frank, John H, Norman and me, Bob. John C led us away from the station and up Worth Park Avenue to the roundabout where we headed North along the Balcombe Road. After Pound Hill, to the right of this road is a place called Heathy Ground which has been earmarked as a possible new neighbourhood for the town. However, due to the possible expansion of Gatwick Airport, plans for development there have been put on hold. It will be convenient for the Crematorium though if it ever does get built!
At the next roundabout we turned right and on crossing the Motorway also crossed into Surrey. This road makes for uncomfortable cycling as it’s not all that wide and has a fair amount of fast traffic negotiating its curves. After a mile of its dangers we took a left onto a quiet lane that goes through the backwater that is Burstow. The people living in these parts seem to like greyhounds as you often see a lot of them being walked around. Emerging by Rede Hall we turned left then first right to get back onto the always quiet Cross Lane and Dowlands Lane. Next we turned right onto Smallfield Road and then left up Church Road into Horne. Although short, this was the first of many climbs this week. Turning east once more we headed along Whitewood Lane and then Byers Lane to emerge on the A22. A quick couple of hundred yards and then we were back on a minor road heading towards Tilburstow Hill. This road goes up a couple of hills before the hill bearing its name rears its head but we turned off at the bottom by the Fox and Hounds pub, onto Harts Lane.

Soon this crosses the A22 and generally bearing left we headed north east to Oxted where we encountered another couple of short climbs. Passing the railway station we went under the railway and further through Oxted before using the B269 to cross the M25 as we headed towards Titsey.

Titsey Hill is a full frontal assault on the scarp face of the North Downs, however there’s an escape route to the right just before the hill bites – Pilgrims Lane – so we took it! That road climbs anyway and afforded us good views to the south. Eventually we reached the A233 London Road and swept down it at speed over the M25 to arrive in Westerham for our lunch. In a break with club habit, we lunched at a café rather than a pub. Sat outside, overlooking the village green, we observed hundreds of cyclists climbing the A25 Vicarage Hill which forms the southern edge of the green. Many were wearing Dulwich Cycle Club colours but we never actually found out what the event was.

Here’s a photo of some grumpy old bloke commemorated by a statue on the green:

After lunch we headed west along the A25 before turning south to pass Squerryes Court and start the long climb up Goodley Stock Road. Eventually we reached a T-junction where we turned left to complete the climb before it swiftly took us down Crockham Hill on the B269 before we turned right onto Dairy Lane as the land levelled out. Another slight climb and then a left turn onto Guildables Lane which mainly took us south. By now the sun was hidden by cloud and the wind was more noticeable (and in our faces). We were enjoying the cycling though and there were very few cars around. Monks Lane took us west and then Grants Lane took us south once more. The charmingly named Honeypot Lane lead us to the unusually named Dwelly Lane which took us further south until we reached Haxted Road. Passing Haxted Mill we took the next left down Water Lane. Apparently this is aptly named as John C pointed out that it had been unpassable due to floodwater just a few months ago. From here we took St Piers Lane which goes through what looks like a model village or planned community. It’s St Piers School which is “The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy” according to t’internet.

Now we were in Lingfield and passing the racecourse before climbing the short Town Hill into the middle of the village (Lingfield’s not a town in my book). Now we had to decide whether to use the Newchapel Road or the Godstone Road. Although the former would be the shortest route, it’s also the one with the most traffic and the road itself is quite unpleasant. So the latter got the vote. It took us north then northeast for a couple of miles, followed by half a mile of A22 before gaining the sanctuary of Hare Lane. From here a quick right then a left and we were on Croydon Barn Lane. Passing the road to Horne that we’d used earlier, we were now retracing our steps and turning left into Dowlands Lane we stopped for a breather. Frank was suffering from a stitch so we decided to have a bit of a break. Only trouble was that I needed to get back home as my wife and I were expecting visitors to help us celebrate our wedding anniversary. I made my goodbyes and thanked John for an enjoyable ride before striking off for home. Norman decided to keep me company and we were soon climbing the gradual slope up Copthorne Bank. Norman bade me farewell as he stopped to get some refreshments from a shop and I ploughed on. Now I was by myself I just used the direct route into Crawley along the old A264 (now the A2220), over the M25 and back down Worth Park Avenue to Three Bridges Station. From here it’s just a mile home and I pulled up at my front door with 44 miles on the speedo and half an hour before our first guests arrived. Timing!

Next weeks ride starts at 09:30hrs from Three Bridges Station once again. It’s called the Railway Crossings ride and will be led by Mick. There will be a little quiz at the lunch stop (I think it might be railway related) which is at the Blacksmiths Arms, Adversane (TQ074232). It’s rated as a medium ride and should finish by about 16:00 hrs at the latest.

Don’t forget, the AGM is coming up on Thursday 22nd October at Broadbridge Heath Village Centre. It would be nice to see as many members there as possible so you can let us know what you want your club to provide in the way of rides and events. It’s a 7:30 pm start so you should be able to get there after you’ve had your evening meal.

Seaside Ride

At only 93km (56 miles) Sunday's ride was 507km short of a full days ride for Anton, but nonetheless he joined us in Lindfield for a ride toDitchling cafe, his first ride in a month (by the way Anton thinks thatthere are 36 hours in a day, as well!). Five of us left Three Bridges at 9.15 - Bob, Richard, Martin, John C and myself, Peter S - on a glorious sunny day. Warming up on the short climb (slope!) up to Turners Hill we arrived in Lindfield at 10 having been intercepted by Anton just beforehand.

After a pleasant ride down Slugwash Lane and across Ditchling Common, we arrived at Ditchling Café at about 11.

We all had a drink with a tea cake - except for one person, who will remain nameless, who partook of a sizeable breakfast. Suitably refreshed we left the cafe and took the left turn in to Ditchling road at 11.35. Bob lead the way up the Beacon closely followed by Richard, but Richard slip-streamed past him at the top to take the first place, the maillot verte and the prize (we think you did this last year as well, Richard?! (:->). I arrived at the top of the Ditchling Beacon some time later at 11.49 - for me this is a great success (only 14 minutes) and it means that I pass my annual fitness test and will be kept on at home for another year.... John C, out on his latest new bike, left us in Ditchling to return home with Anton, who is recovering from an operation - it was his first time out on the bike for four weeks and so we were especially pleased to see him.

Guess who had the sizeable breakfast?

From the top of Ditchling Beacon it is a splendid and easy stretch across the Downs with wonderful panoramic views in to Brighton where we arrived at 12.30. At Old Boat Corner, Richard left us for Lewes so just three of us carried on to Brighton. Coincidentally the Labour party conference was taking place and we were much amused to see Bob triumphantly arrive on the seafront with his own personal five strong police motor cycle escort! Total distance to Brighton 29 miles for our annual trip to the seaside in the sun. Dare I say it, but it has been sunny four of the five years we have done this trip.

A short lunch on the front at the smoked fish bar left Bob and me to do the ride home as Martin had commitments and returned by train.We left at 13.00 and rather than head directly for the NCN20 Bob lead us through Hove via Hove station, Hove park and parts of NCR82 to Devils Dyke.
This was a long steady climb but very pleasant (partly) following the route of the old railway up to the Dyke. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dyke_railway_stationFrom the Dyke we had a fast freewheel via Newtimber to the A23 where we joined the NCN20 which duly lead us to The Victory in Staplefield for 14.50 (we know this as it closes at 15.00 and we just sneaked in in time).
Then a gentle slope up to Handcross and home through Tilgate forest. Total for the day 56 miles on a really lovely day out by the seaside.
Thanks to all who joined us and especially to Bob for his company on the way back.

Morning Ride

Today’s attendees were myself, Mick, Bob and Norman.

Today’s ride was going to be a 35 easy ride but having ridden the route in preparation for the actual ride I found it to be medium to hard so changed it accordingly.

The ride started as last week along the Brighton Road and up Kerves Lane, the first of several hills. It was then on through Copsale and Maplehurst and up another two hills. It was tops off in Partridge Green as to sun had made an appearance.

The next part of the ride through Shermanbury was relatively flat, lulling the attendees into a false sense of ease. We then turned north towards Wineham and Twineham then east along Bob Lane, see below;


After Bob Lane it was on to Hickstead and turning north again to start the final six climbs up to Handcross. It was at this point that Norman confessed that he thought today’s ride was easy. No such luck.

Passing through Handcross we had lunch at the Mucky Duck (Black Swan) in Pease Pottage. After this Bob returned home to Crawley and Norman and I returned to Horsham.

No a very good turn-out but a pleasant, if hilly, ride.

The Woodsman

Today’s attendees were myself, Mick, Pete S, Martin, John, Bob and Norman.

Through Horsham and up Kerves Lane just to test the riders out. It was then along Southwater Street where we had a couple of close encounters with white vans overtaking too closely. One carried on the overtake manoeuvre even when warned of oncoming traffic.

On through Southwater and over the A272 and onto Shipley to test out the new road surface. Not a bad job. Norman left us here as he was limited to an hours ride. We passed several ‘No Local Landfill’ signs near Thakenham, another NIMBY!

Turning right towards Adversane Martin said that there were hot air balloons at Wisborough Green today so as we were early I decided to stop there and take a look. We got there and no balloons, apparently they had left a 6:00 and were not due back until 18:00. Somehow we had arrived at the mid point.

So it was on to Kirdford for Bob to pose in front of the plaque below;


The plaque is titled ‘Degradation of Drunkenness’ and reads;

“There is no sin which doth more deface God’s image than drunkenness, it disguiseth a person and doth even unman him. Drunkenness makes him have the throat of a fish, the belly of a swine and the head of an ass. Drunkenness is the shame of nature, the extinguisher of reason, the shipwreck of chastity and the murderer of conscience. Drunkenness is hurtful to the body, the cup kills more than the cannon, it causes dropsies, catarrhs, apoplexies, it fills the eye with fire and the legs with water and turns the body into an hospital.”

No comment.

It was then onto the pub where we met three cyclists from East Surrey. A nice pub and an even better pint. See above.

After lunch is was on to Capel for tea. Martin left us on route as he needed to get back to Horsham. The route included Weare Street, one of the best lanes in the area. Tea at Capel was as good as ever with a selection of about 20 cakes, I managed fruit, banana, apple and lime and a cup of tea.

Heading home we got caught in a bike race. We could not understand this as they had not stopped for a pint or tea and cakes!

DA Event - Arun Crossings

Nine riders turned up for the final DA Event of 2009, the Arun Crossings Ride. Colin, the ride leader was joined by Richard, Peter, Dave, Andy, Tony, Gill, Jeff and me, Bob. It was noticeable that this year, following last years unfortunate accident for Edwin, everyone was riding knobbly-tyred bikes.

Leaving Pulborough railway station we headed west on the A283 to make our first crossing of the day over the Old Stopham Bridge (1) . We then doubled back over the Arun using the new Stopham bridge (2) before diving left up a sharpish off-road climb through some pleasant woodland. As the bridleway levelled out so it became sandy and keeping our bikes from squirming around became our main preoccupation - although I did manage to admire the extensive view of the South Downs to our right. Regrouping in the sunshine near Park Farm we then headed north along Coombelands Lane for about a mile before heading west and through a ribbon of woodland to cross the Arun (3) just upstream of Pallingham Lock where the Wey Arun Canal joins the river. At this point Jeff caught his handlebar on a post and gashed his leg slightly as he was catapulted off his bike. He had some plasters with him and administered his own first aid in the best traditions of mountain biking self-sufficiency! From here, we climbed through a couple of fields and some woodland to emerge onto a road and head down Horsebridge Hill.

Turning right onto another bridleway, we travelled through a woodland and then traversed another couple of grassy fields before crossing the river (4) and then the dry canal bed . From here a couple of farm tracks brought us out onto Black Gate Lane for a short while before taking a bridleway along a private drive and then down a hill to cross the canal and then 100 yards later the river once more (5) . Last year that 100 yard stretch of path was under a good 18 inches of water - today the water level was at least two metres lower!

A slight gradient then took us through Harsfold Hanger and past Harsfold Farm to emerge on the A272 for a short ride into Wisborough Green and a stop at The Coffee Cup cafe for elevenses.

Refreshed, we carried on north and east from Wisborough Green along Newpound Lane and then north along the B2133. Colin found another bridleway that took us through some woodland, up and over a couple of fields and past a pair of lakes to arrive at Malham Farm. From here we continued north through more farmland and woodland before popping out onto Drungewick Lane. Another crossing of the canal was soon made as was a tributary of the Arun, but not the main river itself. Turning right onto the Loxwood Road, we headed east for a quarter of a mile before heading south on another bridleway, past Newhouse Farm to cross the Arun (6) just before Gibbons Mill . From here it was just a short ride to the lunch halt at The Blue Ship in The Haven, where we were met by Barbara, Edwin, John, Alan and Liz.

After lunch, Colin lead us along a couple of lanes and down a quiet woodland bridlepath to emerge back out on Okehurst Road and meet a couple of our road-based lunch colleagues. Then, after Bignor Farm, we left them to the tarmac as we headed west over a couple of fields for our next crossing point (7). Once again, last year this area was covered in water but today all the water was neatly contained within the river banks. The route runs alongside a dry stretch of the canal before crossing it on a bridge by a ruined lock. From here a farm track led us the couple of hundred yards up to the scene of last years accident - we noticed that the track seems to have had most of the potholes filled in and was relatively smooth. We were now back at Malham Farm and retraced our earlier steps as far as our next bridleway just north of Newpound Common. Heading east, this track skirts around Loves Farm and it's "Beware of the Dogs" sign. Sure enough, one of the dogs came running over, barking its silly little head off but we ignored it as we went on into the woods. We popped out of the woods at Loves Bridge, described on a nearby plaque as the loveliest bridge on the Wey and Arun Canal. Unfortunately there's very little water in the canal at this point - I believe the landowner is against the restoration of this bit of the canal - sad really as a restored canal looks really good and is a very positive feature in the landscape. By contrast, the bridge over the river(8) is quite plain. heading east we came out onto Okehurst Road and followed it south as it became Rowner Road. At Rowner Farm we passed to the left of a large barn and then through a small copse to emerge at some kind of metal weir on the river - I've no idea what it's used for but it's a fairly substantial structure. We crossed here (9) and heading due west came to Rowner Lock on the canal. There were several people working on it repairing the stonework, and it was almost completely drained thereby affording us a good view of the amount of engineering involved. One gentleman came over and gave us plenty of information about the lock and indeed the whole canal. He also explained that they were not going to be replacing the lock gates as there was no water upstream and lock gates deteriorate more rapidly when not in the water. We now continued westwards, past Paplands Farm and back onto the road at Newpound Common where we took Newpound Lane past Fisher's farm back to Wisborough Green and another stop at the Coffee Cup cafe.

At this point I had to make my goodbyes as I had to be at a family birthday party back in Crawley for 16:30. Heading south from Wisborough Green I took the bridleway past Harsfold Farm and crossed the Arun one last time before regaining the tarmac on Black Gate Lane. I missed my intended right turn into Pickhurst lane so ended up using the A29 via Codmore Hill to get back to Pulborough Station with just about 30 miles on my speedo. Within the hour I managed to drive back home, get washed, changed and get over to Ifield Wood to celebrate my nephews 5th birthday. So that was all the boxes ticked - great day out on the bike, get to birthday party.

Thanks Colin for what is one of my favourite rides - I've done it three times now and each one has been different but all have been immensely enjoyable - don't change a thing.