The Green Man

I was doing better this week – I’d got up on time, I’d eaten my breakfast and watched United on the repeat of Match of the Day (great goal by Mr Rooney). I’d even remembered to put a skinny spare tube in my barbag, filled my waterbottle (and put it on my bike), but could I find my bike lock? No I couldn’t! I turned my bike stuff upside down but the lock still didn’t materialise. Ah well, best not be late, so it was on with the waterproofs and off, out into the rain.

Thirty-five uneventful minutes later I arrived at Horsham Park Pavilions and was met by Norman – back on his bike after several weeks off through injury (non-bike related I must point out). Norman locked our bikes together and we went into the cafe for a coffee.

A few minutes later Pete E joined us and then Anton materialised as well. A few minutes of chat and then we decided it was time to hit the road. Pete wouldn’t be riding today and had just come to the start for a coffee and a chat.

We travelled through Horsham using Depot Road and turning onto Comptons Lane I considered using Hampers Lane, but decided not to as it would also have meant using an unsurfaced bridleway and in the wet it would have been pretty messy. Instead we carried on down to Hammerpond Lane and headed east past a busy Horsham RUFC ground – I wanted to shout out an ironic “Who’d be silly enough to be out in the rain?” but resisted the temptation. The short sharp climb past Roosthole car park was hard work as was the one up to Grouse Road. At this point Norman, whose leg was feeling the strain, decided to head for home via Colgate. The ride was living up to the usual Bob trademark of being hilly and yes, straight after Grouse Road and a brief downhill, there was another short sharp shock for Anton and me.

Carrying on east and over the crossroads at Plummers Plain we soon arrived at Slaugham where the church bells were going full tilt. Shortly after we went under the A23 and Anton pointed out a car at the side of the road with it’s window wide open in the rain – he’d seen it an hour or so earlier on his way over to Horsham. As it was in the middle of nowhere, we phoned up the police non-emergency line and brought it their attention.

On reaching Staplefield we headed south on Staplefield Lane then took Mallions Lane which brought us out onto the B2115 which we then followed into Whitemans Green. Here we turned right(ish) at the mini-roundabout before turning left onto Ardingly Road (which becomes Hanlye Road). These roads were all quite busy and I was quite glad there were only two of us for me to worry about. At the end we headed downhill, past the entrance to Borde Hill Garden and up the steep little climb before turning right onto Copyhold Lane. As we approached the far end of this lane Anton asked which way we’d be turning at the end – apparently if we turned right there’d be another steep hill – guess what? Yup, that was the way we were going. As it happens, when I’d planned the route using Google Maps, my route avoided this hill by heading east along a road called Finches Lane. Unfortunately, the lane was disguised as a farm entrance and I missed it! So up the hill we went. Technically we were now lost as we weren’t on my route list and I didn’t have a map, but I knew we had to head east and I was sure we’d pick up a road I was familiar with sooner or later. We took a road with the strange name of “By Sunte” and then a road called “Finches Park Road” – I reckoned that must be near the Finches Lane on my list and sure enough we popped out onto Hickmans Lane which was the next road on my list. This road emerged on Lindfield High street where we turned left and headed north past the church and the interesting collection of houses just past it.

Our next turn took us onto Park Lane, a road I’ve never cycled on before and another uphill slog. As we came to a crest just before a bend, Anton shouted something over his shoulder that sounded like “That’s it”. That wasn’t too bad I thought, went round the bend and saw the road leap steeper up! As I ground my way up the gradient I realised that Anton had actually shouted “That’s not it”. After the road levelled out we turned left onto Keysford Lane which took us down and under the Bluebell Railway – I was hoping a train would pass but no luck. Up the other side and half a mile later we’d arrived at Horsted Keynes. We had to shelter from the wind and rain in the porch of the pub for a good twenty-odd minutes as we’d arrived too early and they don’t open their doors until bang-on midday.

As we were the first customers in the pub, we bagged the comfy chairs right by the inglenook fire and arranged our gloves and jackets out to dry. Once again the beer was really good and the food equally so. We chatted about work, the club, the Paris-Brest-Paris ride that Anton will be tackling in August and the uses for the various pieces of horse tack that were displayed around the pub. I made Anton laugh by likening the shape of the fireplace to a Puritans hat, but there was no putting it off, we had to go back out into the rain.

Anton headed south, down Lewes Road and back to Haywards Heath, whilst I headed north, past Hosted Keynes station – two hills and two miles from the village – up another hill and into Ardingly. I didn’t fancy the reservoir route with its big climb the other side, so stayed on the B-road up to Turners Hill (a gradual climb) before enjoying the mainly downhill thrash back towards Crawley. I took a shortcut along part of the Worth Way and sprayed mud all over myself before arriving in Worth. By cutting through Maidenbower I avoided any more hills and arrived back home at about 14:45 with a mere 35 miles on my speedo. I spent the next 15 mins washing the bike down and spraying a thin oil over it before putting it away.

Next weeks ride starts from Three Bridges Station at 10:00hrs and is a Morning Ride aimed at less-experienced riders. Members and non-members are welcome. We will be Home in time for lunch or there will be the option of a Crawley area lunch.

Victory!

For only the second time this year, I managed to get out on my bike for one of our Sunday rides. Good job too - it was my turn to lead!
Arriving at Three Bridges Station I was greeted by Pete and Marian, Barbara and Roz. I briefly ran through my intended route and, just as we were about to go, we were very pleased to be joined by John V.

Todays ride would take us East and South of Crawley, so off we headed, up through Pound Hill and out on the Turners Hill Road. The wind was fairly strong but thankfully on our rear quarter as we made our way up the long but not steep ascent to Turners Hill. Opposite the church we stopped to regroup and get our breath back and have a little chat about various recent events. But, when we set off again, I'd only gone two yards before a big hiss announced that I'd picked up a puncture. Doh! I was dismayed to find that I only had a fat spare tube in my bag and not the skinny one I needed, so I had to do a puncture repair. I'm a bit of a traditionalist and still use the old style glue and patch method. Mind you, it worked. Even though things were a little damp, the patch stuck first time and with Pete and Marians assistance I was soon back on the road.
Leading everyone South from the crossroads I decided to cut out part of the ride as we'd lost time. So, instead of heading to West Hoathly and then using Cob Lane (complete with the incredibly steep climb at its end) to get to Ardingly, we just sped straight down the B road. Normally this mainly downhill road can be freewheeled most of the way, but now the wind was on our front quarter we had to pedal it. It wasn't too arduous though and we were soon past the Showground and into the village.

Noting that the café was open, but without enough time to stop, we headed on West out through the village, past the church and down the bumpy hill to cross the reservoir. The grind up the other side got my lungs going and I decided that it was time granny earnt her keep - easing slightly I clicked the lever and …… granny came into play as smooth as you like. I love it when my bike is working properly.

John crested first with me not far behind and the two us "warmed down" as far as the next junction. Waiting there for the others however, we were starting to get cold. Wondering if something had happened, we were about to retrace our steps when around the corner came Pete, wobbling all over the place and obviously not riding the tandem we were expecting. "Where's Marian, you've lost her!" and "Whose bike have you nicked?" we shouted as he approached. He was actually on Roz's bike and was trying to cure a gear change problem for her - having recently had a new cassette fitted, Roz was now unable to get onto the largest two or three rear cogs and consequently was finding the hills a bit of a struggle. We tried a little bit of adjusting but to no avail - I suspect the cable had stretched a bit (or the clamp had slipped slightly) but Roz was going to take it back to the bike shop that had fitted the cassette, so I didn't poke my nose in.

At this point we said goodbye to John who was now going to head north and straight back to Crawley. We however continued West and downhill to cross the second arm of the reservoir. As it was now midday (our normal pub arrival time), I gave everyone the chance of trying the pub in Balcombe or even the tearoom there, but no, all of them wanted to plough on to lunch at Staplefield - I'd bribed them with the claim that there was only one slight hill up and then a two-mile downhill to the pub. The "slight hill up" had me breathing hard by the top, but the wind made sure I soon got my lungs full of air again. Brantridge Lane was good fun and the lack of foliage on the trees meant we could easily see Ditton Place through the trees. Formerly owned by the Inner London Education Authority it has in recent years been converted into luxury apartments I believe.

Arriving at the pub, I was concerned to see the car park full - I hadn't booked a table - but the landlady managed to spirit together enough tables and chairs to accommodate us. Add to that the fact that the beer was excellent and the food even more so, and you can understand that we had a very pleasant lunch.

When we came to set off again, we noted that the wind hadn't let up at all, but that it was still relatively mild. We were now heading mainly into the wind but along a relatively sheltered road which took us under the A23, through Slaugham and past Slaugham pond.
We next passed my standby lunch halt, the Wheatsheaf at Plummers Plain, and used Hammerponds Road as far as Grouse Road. Roz was slightly surprised by the number of ponds we'd gone past today and hopefully I didn't bore her too much with my explanations of the Hammerponds and the industry they were associated with in the past.

Barbara accompanied us all the way to the top of Grouse Road before turning left and doing the run back to Horsham, whereas we turned right and followed the usual Old Brighton Road, steps, Pease Pottage Hill, K2, Tilgate and Furnace Green route home. Saying goodbye, I left (delegated?) Pete and Marian to escort Roz back to the Worth Way. Roz was todays hard rider - not only did she have the extra 20 miles of an out and back to East Grinstead on the Worth Way, but she'd had to tackle all those hills without the two or three cogs that make them easiest! Well done Roz.

Next weeks ride will likely use some of the same roads - but I do have some others up my sleeve! Leaving Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 09:30 we will be heading East to enjoy lunch at The Green Man in Horsted Keynes - last time we visited we really enoyed the food and beer there - what more excuse do you need? If we get there at the right time, we may be able to bag the comfy chairs in front of the large open fire. The round trip will be about 40 miles and I would rate it as a Medium ride with a likely finish time around 15:30hrs.

Amberley - well not in the end.....

It was a lovely morning as I rode to Horsham for 09.30. I seem to be getting back in shape as I got there in 48 minutes despite strong headwinds whereas my previous effort a couple of weeks before had taken over an hour! I now know who had been eating all the pies….

The forecast was not particularly good and that may be why there were only two of us at the appointed departure time. And as Barbara had not planned to do the return trip to Amberley anyway, we decided to do a loop closer to Horsham. So we headed out over the golf course (no golfers today!) and west to Rowhook hill. Horsham people are really fortunate to have this route as you are in the lanes and lovely countryside in ten minutes from the town centre. At the top of Rowhook hill we paused for a minute to watch lots of joggers/runners heading down the hill – they all looked exhausted – I do wonder at running; cycling is so much more fun as you do it sitting down (:->

Rowhook is really pretty with several old buildings and we proceeded in weak sunshine towards Oakwood Hill and then, after crossing the A29, to Weare street; one of the prettiest/quietest lanes in the County. We stopped by the duck pond so that Barbara could feed her apple to the ducks! A delightful spot.



After crossing the A24 we skirted Capel to join the Rusper road where we had a very small amount of rain. Very few cars today and lots of cyclists, mostly more serious ones on road bikes. Arriving in Rusper we went our different ways and I got home at 12.30 after 33 very pleasant miles. And we didn’t really notice the strong winds.

My personal tally for the year is now two Sunday runs, 50 + miles and no pub stops! I must be losing it…..

Hope to see you soon. We’ll reschedule Amberley later in the year, as that is a very pleasant run.

Our next ride starts from Three Bridges Station at 10:00hrs on Sunday 23rd January. We will head out north with the intention of a lunch stop at The Dolphin in Betchworth.

Family Bike Ride

I’ve scheduled beginners’ rides once a month for the next few months. The first was attended by five regulars (old lags?!), but I think we need to do some more publicity if we seriously want to get some new riders. We have the funds so I am thinking of doing some ads in the Spring – which is when most people get their old bikes out of the shed. It was a coldish morning with some very light surface icing in places and so, although I had a 40km road route ready for the Crawsham CTC stalwarts, we decided to do the Worth Way on the basis that any ice risk would be greatly reduced by this route. And so it proved, as we had a very pleasant ride out to Forest Row – the Worth Way seems to get busier every time I go down it, as it was packed - where we took coffee in the (relatively) new café by the tip. This is run by a friendly Dutch/English family and is highly recommended. They have some kind of old cars rally there once a month and a few were about when Barbara, John, John, Anton and I arrived to some welcome coffee/tea. Someone also had cake – no names here.

Bob hasn’t had a good start to the New Year as he has been a bit under the weather and off work resulting in his missing this ride, but, much worse than that, Anton turned up on his new mountain bike and showed a propensity to ride it off the track in the verges etc, very much á la Bob, including going up the hump in Rowfant. This could get serious when Bob is back – watch this space (:-> And hope to see you back on the bike soon Bob.

The by-product of the easy rides is that we were back by 12.30 after two hours riding – this is popular in the winter, even with the regulars – and even though the mileage only just crept over twenty, the main point is not the distance but the pleasure of some moderate exercise in pleasant company. We hope to see you next time – you may well like it and there is nothing much to lose from giving it a go.

This week’s ride is scheduled to leave Horsham swimming centre at 09.30 for The Black Horse at Amberley. The forecast is wet (as of Saturday am) but they don’t always get it right. Hope to see you.

Happy Cycling.
Peter

What's been happening?

Time for a catch up. What’s been happening in the world of Horsham and Crawley CTC member group the past few weeks?
Sunday 19th December was in the middle of the second rash of snow and was the day of the club Christmas Dinner. With the roads covered in snow and ice, none of us risked a two-wheel journey to The Gate and so we all arrived by car (thanks for the lift Pete & Marian). The pub was very convivial with Pickled Partridge on draught and a roaring log fire in the grate, although there was unfortunately no heating on in the dining area due to a missed heating oil delivery. There were only seven of us at the dinner but the food was good and hot and we had a great time with plenty of stories and amusing anecdotes being told.
The next ride was on Bank Holiday Monday 27th December and was a “Rendezvous Ride” – the idea being for people to set out in their own time, at their own pace and rendezvous at The Dragon at Colgate at midday. My original plan was that I’d do a 20 odd mile loop to the east and south which would involve several hills and quiet lanes (Turners Hill, Worth, Balcombe, Staplefield, Plummers Plain, Hammerpond, Grouse Road), however, on setting out (late as usual), my lack of fitness soon had me revising my route and instead of that I crept back into Crawley on the Worth Way and struggled up Pease Pottage Hill to ride straight to Colgate and only just get there for midday! On reflection I think I was going down with the bad cold that’s dogged me all the way into the new year!
Pete E was the only other rider out and had used a fairly simple route from Horsham via Doomsday Green and Grouse Road (he’d forgotten how long Grouse Road was!).
We rattled the doors of the pub but they were locked – frustratingly we could however see a rather attractive fire in the snug - but then the landlord let us in. Over a couple (or three) pints and a ciabatta sandwich apiece, Pete and I discussed such varied topics as how to encourage more people out on rides, how money-grabbing senior management are, various photographic techniques and how open the Premiership is this season! Reluctantly we left the warmth of the pub and each headed home knowing we only had one more day off before returning to work.
Sunday 2nd January should have seen me (Bob) lead a ride out to the north and west of Horsham with a lunch stop at the Mucky Duck in Tismans Common. Unfortunately, the bad cold mentioned earlier meant I could barely get out of bed, let alone ride a bike, so Pete E stepped into the breach. Here’s his summary of the day:
Went to the start today. There were a couple of bikes I didn't recognise. Just as I was going in for a cup of tea Anton arrived. He’d driven over as he was going to go to Evans after the ride to look for a mountain bike. As he was giving his bike a once over he noticed a broken chain link so abandoned plans for riding in favour of getting the bike fixed for a long ride he'd got planned tomorrow. Pat and Frank were waiting inside. I was most impressed with Pat commenting how slim and fit I was looking - not bad as I haven't done any serious exercise for months! Anyway after a cup of tea and a chat we agreed that I would lead a morning ride somewhere in the Crawley direction so that we could split at some point and be back in Horsham and Crawley by middayish.
I decided to go up Langhurstwood, past the Royal Oak and turn right at the end toward Rusper and see how we were doing. However, much to my embarrassment, leaving Horsham I got lost in the housing estate at the end of North Heath Lane and Pondtail Road - I must have missed a turning somewhere. Anyway we ended up in a playground with a footpath alongside which led up to the northern bypass. After dismounting and climbing a steep bank we found ourselves on the bypass not far from the big roundabout on the main Crawley road so we rode back along the bypass to the Langhurstwood crossing and proceeded to Rusper without mishap apart from Pat having a few gear change problems and Frank slipping his chain off. We went on in the direction of The Gate as far as the Lambs Green turn where we parted company. I returned to Horsham via Wimlands past the Frog & Nightgown and took the bridlepath near the railway crossing to the Rusper Road and into Horsham via North Heath Lane and Wimblehurst Rd. I noted that the Horsham Crawley cycleroute was signposted but at the level crossing it says end of route leaving any cyclists unfamiliar with the area with no guidance as to how to get to Horsham! It seemed a bit like those cyclelanes that just don't go anywhere! Useless!
Anyway, the weather was good and we all enjoyed the ride.

Our next ride starts from Three Bridges Station at 10:00hrs on Sunday 9th January. Led by Pete S, it will be an Easy ride aimed at less-experienced riders, however, everyone is welcome and we will be able to adapt to suit whoever turns up. Come on out – you need to ride off the Christmas excess!

Another cold Sunday

How dedicated a ride leader is it that gets up at 04.36 (am) on a Sunday to email the group to say that they are not well and can’t make the ride that day!? Especially, when you weren’t even supposed to be leading in the first place having stepped in when the original leader decided to pull out. That is just what our Chair, Bob, did this Sunday. Fortunately he is getting better now.

I duly agreed to lead and turned up at the start, a few minutes late, having had a lazy slow ride to Horsham. It was bright and sunny, although a very cold day, and so I had taken my time getting there. I waited quite a while but found myself still alone. Having bothered to turn out I decided to make the most of the nice day by returning through Roffey to Wimlands road where I climbed up past the Frog and Nightgown (what a great name for a pub, and a great pub) unfortunately closed when I got there. Having turned off the busy roads I discovered a fair bit of ice at different times, and walked part of Wimlands Lane in the company of two roadies – their slick tyres presumably being even less grippy than my touring tyres. Then along the ridge on the newly surfaced bridle path back to Ifield. This is a great route and I had some fine winter views as I rode carefully along.





Crossing the railway line to arrive in Gossops Green is not as scary as it might seem, certainly no worse than some of the busier roads in Crawley. My wireless computer had decided not to work – I think that the cold finishes off the batteries – so I detoured to Evans Cycles to get a new battery, and then home.
Twenty odd miles, not very much really, but enough on such a cold day. And quite pleasant – although it would have been nice to have some company. Hope to see you at the Xmas lunch next week (if you have booked with Anton).

Cheers,
Peter

It was his idea!

Following all the snow, the cold winds and the icy conditions, Anton and I came to the conclusion that it would be safest to cancel this week’s planned ride. Accordingly I updated the website and sent an e-mail out to our members. Anton volunteered to be at the start just in case anyone didn’t get the message.
Meanwhile I was wondering what I was going to do with myself – Oh no! Perhaps I’ ll have to go Christmas shopping !! – when I received a slightly cryptic text from John V: “WW 10:00?” I’d just about worked out that WW meant Worth Way when I received a second text confirming as much. Christmas shopping or a knobbly-tyred trek in the snow? No contest!
John had sent the same text messages out to the other fat-tyre candidates but he and I were the only ones that could make it. We met up just before Worth Church and set off along the Worth Way. In spite of Saturday’s torrential rain, there was still a lot of snow lying around and it soon became apparent that riding through it would take a lot of concentration. Where the snow had been compacted on top of a hard surface it was treacherously slippy and could send the front wheel in unexpected directions, so it was best to ride through the soft snow. However, where the underlying surface was relatively soft, it was better to seek out the harder, compacted snow as the soft stuff would shove the front wheel sideways and slip away under the rear wheel bringing forward progress to a complete halt. Just as we were getting used to that we encountered a third variety of surface – where there was a compacted top layer but with loose snow underneath. This was as unrideable as a six inch layer of loose snow and we soon learnt to recognise its appearance – icy, but with a milky look to it. It was however just about rideable in those areas where there was a scattering of fallen leaves on the top.
All this picking out the best route along the trail and the sheer effort of pedalling through the snow, slush, ice and mud was tiring and we decided to make East Grinstead our halfway point. Arriving there we opted to have our refreshments at the coffee bar in the petrol station as I was bespattered with mud.
One nice cappuccino later, we remounted and headed off around the one-way system. John came up trumps with an alternative route out of East Grinstead: first we used a couple of quiet streets, then a bridleway and a farm track before rejoining the Worth Way. Back on the snow and ice, we quickly realised that the best thing to do would be to retrace the tracks we made earlier. This meant we were quicker on the way back and consequently I got even more covered in mud. We were the only cyclists we saw during the journey and all the other people on the Worth Way were pedestrians out walking their dogs - I suppose that's one good thing about those walking poo factories - they get people out in the fresh air! Actually, now I think about it there were about half a dozen joggers out in the cold as well, including one who was heading in the opposite direction to what he thought. He was running away from East Grinstead and asked me how long to go before he reached East Grinstead! Charitably, I pointed him in the right direction.....
We got back to Crawley at about half past twelve having completed a round trip that would normally take little more than an hour.
Next Sunday's ride is scheduled to start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 10:00hrs and go on a loop to the South of Horsham with a lunch stop at The Fountain, Ashurst. Please keep an eye on the website in case we have to alter things again.