Loxwood

London to Brighton, Father’s day and perhaps the World Cup reduced our starters to 3.  Michael, Peter and Barbara.  We left Horsham by Pondtail road and headed up to Capel.  After Ockley station we headed down Weare Street and up to Oakwoood Hill.  We said cheerio to Barbara and made our way through Walliswood to Ewhurst.  By now I was developing a new style for “leading” rides.  Peter was given the next waypoint and would soon be 100 yards ahead of me but going in the right direction.  The new roundabout on the edge of Cranleigh, complete with signs directing cyclists off the road, caused some confusion.  I lost sight of Peter after this but he was waiting for me at the junction in Cranleigh.  We decided on a coffee break at Costa in the centre of Cranleigh.  After some discussion about the Canal we chose to head south from Cranleigh to Alfold Crossways.  This meant braving a short section of the A281 and passing south of the airfield to Dunsfold.  We headed through Plaistow to the Osbourne Arms in Loxwood arriving about 12.30.  The pub was busy (no sandwiches on Sunday) but we had our food served in about 20 minutes.  We headed back to my house in Rudgwick for a cup of tea. Peter was directed onto the Downs Link to find his way home.

Next Week (June 22nd) is the Crawley Family Bike Ride:  Oriel School to Nymans Gardens and back as part of Bike Week.  This ride is open to the general public and CTC members will be helping to marshall everyone safely along the route. Please arrive at Oriel School (in Maidenbower, Crawley) at about 09:45.

Henfold Lakes

When planning the rides for this quarter it seemed like a great idea to start some rides at 09:00hrs during the longer summer days. It is a great idea, the only trouble is that it means being up and ready to leave the house just after 08:00 hrs if you've got to ride over to Horsham from Crawley (or to Crawley from Horsham on alternate weeks). Amazingly enough I managed it and arrived at Horsham Pavilions in the Park on time (avid readers will know how bad my timing usually is). Mind you, the glorious weather helped.

Waiting at Horsham were Pete E (the ride leader), Val, Malcolm, Mick and Anton. We headed out over the golf course and up Byfleets Lane where we noticed several potholes in the middle of the lane - we couldn't help but notice them as someone had helpfully marked them out in orange paint! Half a mile later, we stopped to regroup but Mick and Anton were a long time joining us. When they finally arrived they told us what had delayed them: a middle-aged couple on bikes were heading down the lane, the lady had swerved to avoid the orange-painted potholes only to head straight at Mick and Anton. She'd put her brakes on but too fiercely and had gone over the handlebars with the tail end of her bike going into Anton. Although she'd suffered a cut to her face, she said she was ok and continued on her bike. Anton was ok if a little bemused.

Soon after this we rode up Rowhook Hill, surprisingly with little comment from our resident hill specialist (possibly she was too shell-shocked?). We carried on to Ellen's Green, then up to Ewhurst Green where we headed east and then turned onto a very quiet lane called Lower Breache Road. On reaching a private driveway, this lane turned left and became Lyefield Lane. I don't recall us ever using these particular lanes before. This brought us out on the Ockley Road just short of Forest Green. We carried on, eschewing the chance of a climb up Leith Hill, looming on our left. Ockley church looked very picturesque, then shortly after we ignored the joy of a downhill Weare Street and carried on to Capel. For a change we didn't turn east in Capel but carried on north up to Beare Green where Mick led us on a quick shortcut to avoid using the main road. 

At Newdigate we regrouped once more and then turned left to go past the village shop - it used to be called Bobs Shop but now seems to be unnamed. The next left took us onto Henfold Lane and we then just had a half mile or so, mainly downhill, before pulling up at Henfold Lakes fishery.

We were met there by the sight of large groups of (i) Morris Dancers (ii) Motor Bikers and (iii) Pete and Marian. Well no, Pete and Marian weren't a large group, although their tandem was the largest pushbike sat outside the clubhouse.  All these visitors meant that the queue to order food and drink was out of the door, but fair plays, the staff got our orders out to us within 15 minutes or so. Coincidentally, 15 minutes was almost exactly how long my first pint of cider lasted.

It was very pleasant sitting in the sun, looking out over the lake and chatting about this and that - so pleasant in fact that it was a real struggle for our illustrious leader to herd us back onto our bikes, but he did and off we rode.

We headed north as far as Red Lane and then headed south, through Charlwood (via Stan Hill) and on to Ifield Wood. Here, the Crawley contingent turned left back to Crawley and the Horsham contingent wen back to Horsham via Lambs Green and Wimlands.

Gordon's B-Ride

This was a very enjoyable day, thanks Gordon.

It's takes me ages to write blogs these days, so I've cheated and padded out my words with some moving pictures.

I arrived at Gordons expecting to see a gaggle of freeloaders taking up his breakfast offer, but no, I was the only freeloader! So, after rather nice bacon sandwich and a cuppa, Gordon and I headed for Pease Pottage.

Outside The Black Swan we met Val, Corinne, Michael and Malcolm. From here, Gordon led us out along Parish Lane and then down through the Forest on NCN20 to cross over the M23, through the golf course and out to Oriel School where we met up with John C and John V.

Next we acquired NCN21(The Worth Way) and headed east, over the M23 and on to Rowfant.

This video shows the journey so far:

The weather was very pleasant and the Worth Way was in good condition, so all was right in the world - except for my rear tyre that is - it kept going down, but I couldn't find a puncture. At the first stop I'd just pumped air in as I thought it was a slow puncture. After a second stop, three of us checked the inside of the tyre for thorns or any other sharp intrusion (none found) and I fitted a new tube, but within a few miles the tyre seemed to have deflated again. When I got home I checked both tubes and found NO punctures using both a visual inspection and a water bath - the valves seemed OK as well. As we speak both tubes are fully inflated in my shed and seem to be holding onto their contents. So what was the problem? I suspect a puncture repair I'd done on the first tube shortly  before setting off had not set properly and caused the first problems but that when I'd subsequently removed all the air and rolled the tube up tightly to stuff it away in my bumbag, the patch had properly taken. The second tube is a mystery and my only guess is that the pumps I'd been using out  on the trail just weren't getting enough air in.  I pumped it up with a track pump when I got home and it's stayed fully inflated since....

Anyway, back to the ride. We left the Worth Way at Imberhorne Lane and headed north until we reached the bridleway taking us back west to Gullege. From here we retraced our Worth Way steps as far as Crawley Down where we hit the road going south and endured the steep little climb into Turners Hill. At the top we regrouped and regained our breath before heading west, through Worth Abbey to a refreshment halt at The Cowdray Arms.

After a fairly short stop we carried on along the Handcross Road before turning left into Brantridge Lane - it was a lovely ride down this lane as this video shows:

At Staplefield I had to reinflate my rear tyre (again) and then we headed across to Sluagham and then north on the bridleway through the Slaugham estate to Handcross.

We only briefly entered the western edge of Handcross as Gordon now took us west along the B road before diving to the right onto a farm track bridleway that would take us across a valley and then on up to Plummers Plain and out onto Grouse Road.

From here we only had a mile or so to go back to Gordons House where more refreshments were on offer - Corinne was most impressed, although we had to point out that Gordon is an exception - the rest of us don't lay on such a good spread!

Ditchling Tearooms

On a sunny but breezy morning after a night of heavy rain, I met Anton and John Clark at Selsfield Common at 10.15. Anton had already put the miles in by cycling from his home in Haywards Heath to Three Bridges to collect the other riders – just John as it happens! This meant he could alert us to some flooding by Wakehurst Place, which had subsided a little by the time we arrived. We carried on, avoiding Lindfield down Plummerden Lane and on to Wivelsfield via Slugwash Lane. I was happy to take the unearned credit from Anton and John, for the all the neat arrow signs showing us our route! At Wivelsfield we were surprised to see a control stop and many muddy rather tired walkers. They were doing a sponsored walk from London to Brighton and had started the previous day. We chatted to some and encouraged all of them as we cycled past them, being glad that we were on our bikes. They left our route about half way down Streat Lane and I hope they had a good off-road route over the downs.

We enjoyed our wonderful view of the Downs and cycling along them, not up them, along Underhill and into Ditchling tearooms at 12ish where we enjoyed our lunch.

We then returned to the bottom of Ditchling Beacon and cycled further along the downs towards Clayton and Hurstpierpoint College. Quiet lanes to Ansty, short A road and up into Cuckfield. Here Anton being near home again decided no more miles were required of him and left us and John took the ‘fracking’ route (though after the Queen’ s speech this could sadly be anywhere and everywhere) back to Crawley to be home in time for tea.  I made my way home via Borde Hill through a horse event and Ardingly, where I enjoyed a welcome cup of tea and cake in the newly re-opened ‘Gallery Café’ there. Up Chilling Street, one of my favourite roads in this beautiful part of Sussex and home, still in lovely sunny  weather.

I had done 50 miles in total by the time I reached home but if any of you are tempted to join a similar ride in the future there are trains from Hassocks and Wivelsfield and even Cuckfield I think.

Thanks Ros, sounds like a nice ride.

I-Spy Ride

It's about time that I put (virtual) pen to paper again. After all it's been more than two weeks since I last did so and the I-Spy was a really good event. Coincidentally, it was organised by Pete E, our treasurer, and I should currently be attending a committee meeting with him and Barbara this evening ........  but, guess who forgot?  I've made my apologies and will make reparation at the rearranged meeting next week! Thanks for being so understanding guys.

Anyway, as I said, the I-Spy was really good. There were fourteen participants and Pete started us off from outside the cafe at Southwater Country Park. The route was very pleasant and took us past the Bax Castle, through Christs Hospital and on to Slinfold. Here we managed to overtake all the other groups of riders as they struggled to find one of the answers. We next had a three mile stretch of A road where I used my defensive riding techniques to keep the tin-box jockeys at bay before we headed across to The Haven and then on to Tismans Common. Shortly after, just before we reached Drungewick Lane, I heard a hissing sound and noticed the back end of my bike start squirming. A puncture! I'm never worried about dealing with punctures but it was a bit annoying that as we were busy sorting it out, all those teams we'd passed at Slinfold managed to regain their lead over us :-(.  As we were stood at the side of the road, I noticed an approaching car had a problem with the trailer it was towing and managed to flag them down so that they could stop and sort out their trailer. 

Puncture mended, we were on our way again and managed to catch up the other groups at the canal bridge and then pass them most of them as they struggled to count the number of stakes in the grass outside a property along the lane. From here we headed into Wisborough Green and then out to Fishers Farm Park for lunch. I could tell we needed a break because we missed a clue just yards away but couldn't be bothered to look for it!

Fully refreshed after my lunch of Sausage Baguette and pint of cider, I set off with Barbara and Val on the second part of the test and we promptly missed the next clue! Never mind, on we went up Rowner Road and then east, across the A29 and onto New Road. The route continued, taking us on to Barns Green and then to the Bax Castle for the second time today. This time we turned onto the Downs Link for a slightly bumpy but pleasant enough ride as far as the farm track at Southwater. The last couple of clues were hidden away in the backstreets of suburban Southwater before we pulled up at the finish, back at Southwater Country Park.

It was really hot sitting in the sun and the shadier seats were very popular - an ice-cream helped. We felt that we were in with a chance of winning but then the last team came in and got a lot of points. Oh no!  A draw - that means a tie break. This year we had to count the post boxes we went past - we guessed a fractionally more accurate number than Gordon's team and that meant we won! 

Everyone who took part had a great time on what is one of the two DA Events that Horsham and Crawley organise. Pete put a lot of hard work into this one and it paid off with a superbly entertaining and smoothly run day. The next DA Event is on the first Sunday in July - the Two Weald Ride. We will be running this and will offer the usual four different 25 mile loops from Wisborough Green.

West of Horsham

Michael writes:

Bob had allowed extra time for the ride to HPP, because of the strong headwind, so he was second , after Michael, to arrive at the start.  We were joined by Ken and Barbara.  Peter’s bikes were under repair, Anton was ill, Norman was crossing Asia, Val overslept and it was only 11 degrees.  The four of us set off north by way of Pondtail Road and climbed up towards Capel.  We discovered that the hedges did a good job at stopping the strong winds.  Once on the Rusper – Capel road we were being passed at frequent interval by speeding road bikes on some organised event.  They came up quietly and did not give one much elbow room as they sped by.  Having crossed the A24 we descended Weare Street observing the final flourish of this year’s bluebells.  

After Oakwood Hill Barbara left the group to go home via Rowhook.  We turned right for Ellen’s Green and then to Rudgwick.  Another cycle event had laid claim to the island in Cox Green with their tents and banners.  We carried on south past the Blue Ship and crossed the A29 to reach our lunch stop at the The Queens Head in Barns Green.  After lunch it was a short ride via Two Mile Ash Road back to Horsham.  We would have covered less than the advertised 35 miles but the cold windy weather was not very conducive to big distances.

Next weeks ride is the second of this years DA Events - the I-Spy, a bicycle treasure hunt. Pete has put a lot of work into creating an enjoyable competition, so come along and take part. The start and end point is outside the cafe at Southwater Country Park. Be there ready for a 9:30 start. There will a stop for lunch at some point. Come along and represent your club and have some fun finding the clues.

Commercial Vehicle Run

A nice easy ride today. Sunny weather meant an airing for my knees as I wore shorts for only the third time this year!

Waiting at Three Bridges Station were Frank, Val, Anne and Gordon! With a late running Pete E promising to meet us at Broadfield Stadium. We rode over there along the Black Path into Furnace Green, through Tilgate and through the underpass. Having secured our bikes, we walked around the car park looking at all the various Vintage Commercial Vehicles parked around:

Hey hey!  This is an easy way of filling up a blog - just posting photos!!

Let's do some more:

It's just like being there isn't it?  Apart from the sound that is - oh! And the smells - hot oil, diesel fumes, blue smoke, overheated rubber. It was good fun strolling around chatting with other spectators, some of the vehicle owners and also several other cyclists.

Frank enjoyed reliving his time on the buses and Pete turned up just a few minutes before we decided it was time to do a little bit of cycling. Here are a couple of his pictures:

I was hoping we'd have a slow moving Vintage Commercial Vehicle to slipstream up Pease Pottage Hill but we were out of luck and had to do it completely under our own steam. We all made it though and then it was on to Handcross with Frank towing a bus all the way (I told you he likes buses): 

At Handcross I handed over the leaders jersey to Gordon so that he could take us onto a bridleway through the Hyde Estate - what a revalation - it was a lovely smooth tarmac and took us through some light woodland that was absolutely loaded with Bluebells:

There was even a landscaped lake:

I'm on a roll now, have a video:

http://youtu.be/i_lswfAGHvs

Eventually the track brought us out onto the Pease Pottage Road and it didn't take us long to get from there to Gordons house where, over a nice lunch and drinks, we gathered together to work out our programme of rides for July, August and September.  I have since published them on he runs list page of our website:   www.horshamandcrawleyctc.org.uk

Our next ride will start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 09:30hrs on Sunday 11th May. It will be a fairly easy loop to the west of Horsham led by Michael. Come along, it will be fun.