HPP to Maplehurst

Pete E writes:

I woke up this morning to persistent light rain and hoped it wouldn't deter people from coming out on today's ride. Fortunately it had cleared up by 10.00 am and six riders assembled at HPP - Norman, Malcolm, Rachel, Adam, myself and Val who was attempting her first club ride for some time. Just as we were leaving Ann arrived but couldn't find anywhere to park due to an event being held in the sports centre. Norman offered to wait behind for her so I gave him the route and the rest of us set  off at  a gentle pace to allow Norman and Ann to catch us up.

We set off along via Doomsday Green and Sedgwick before getting warmed up on the short but sharp climb on Colstaple Lane. No sign of Norman and Ann so we carried on towards Southwater stopping to watch a buzzard and look at some horses. Not having Norman with us to guide us through Southwater we took the main road turning into Church Lane and enjoyed the descent of Bonfire hill. At the bottom Ann and Norman caught up with us but Val decided to return back to Horsham.
Admiring the bluebells which seem to have appeared this week, we carried on via Dragons Green and Shipley to Dial Post. After crossing the A24 surprisingly easily, at Norman's request we departed from the planned route and took the bridleways through the Knepp estate. We then cycled through Partridge Green and Littleworth up a few more climbs and reached Maplehurst by 12.15 - earlier than I expected after the slow start and numerous hills.

After a pleasant lunch, a few pub games and discussion of the first single we had bought we set off along Park Lane and Newells Lane before taking the A281 and B2110 to Lower Beeding before turning off along Hammerpond Road and a few more hills with Malcolm leaving us to take Grouse Road back to Crawley and the rest of us returning to Horsham.

In all the ride was 31 miles and we ascended 2677 feet - 40 more than last week's ride to Leith Hill!

This coming Bank Holiday weekend sees the club having two rides planned - on Saturday, go to Deers Leap for some offroad fun - meet there at 11:00, then on Sunday we have an HPP start at 09:30 for a medium rated ride led by Michael. This will take us down to Amberley for lunch at The Sportsman Inn.

Leith Hill (the highest point in the southeast)

Ten lovely people turned up for today's ride and enjoyed a leisurely ride through Crawley, Ifield, Rusper and Ockley before gritting their teeth and climbing up to Leith Hill. The weather was sunny and clear but with a chilly northeasterly wind, so the hot drinks and cake on sale at the Tower were most welcome. 

Corinne and Norman enjoyed some of the trails through the woods on their mountain bikes as we headed east along the ridge before regrouping at Coldharbour. Then we all enjoyed the downhill blast down Anstie Lane - my parting instruction before launching myself down the hill was "Don't over cook the corners!".  Judging by the loud shout and throb of rubber on Tarmac, it would seem that Norman tackled one of the corners with the gas regulator turned up a bit high!!

Regrouping at the bottom of the hill, I was very pleased to see the monster smiles on everyone's faces - they'd all enjoyed that bit (it made up for the hard work of the climb earlier).

The Beare Green roundabout wasn't too busy and was easily negotiated, allowing us to arrive at the Six Bells in Newdigate shortly after.

We lunched indoors and, to be honest, it was quite a noisy affair with us all trying to do various finger exercises, talking about tattoos and trying to come up with a slogan for the club - I believe someone suggested Lion or Littlehampton!

Once we were back on the road, talk was mainly about having another teastop and in spite of a couple of stops to reflate a slow puncture, we were soon back in Crawley and going our separate ways.

Everyone enjoyed the ride and let's hope the same will be true of next weeks ride.  It will start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 10:00 hrs and Pete E will lead us all on a fairly easy loop south of Horsham to lunch at The White Horse in Maplehurst.

Freewheel DA Event

A Horsham start and a roundabout route to Barns Green. We used Granny's Lane, Rowhook Hill, Rudgwick, The Haven, New Road and then pulled up at Summers Ponds just before midday. The Bognor and Chichester riders were already there. We sat in the sun and enjoyed our food and drink but we had to hang around for an hour and a half before the Arun and Adur bods were ready to roll.

We all went back to New Road, climbed to the top and started the Freewheel challenge. We each took it in turn to roll down the hill and see who could get the furthest. John C has been best at this in previous years but this year Sam from BogChi was the high roller. We did however get best lady  - well done Anne. 

Charlwood

'Keen to put a bit of variety into our list of rides, I'd decided to do a fairly short loop to the west and north of Crawley. It seems like this appealed to people as we had nine riders out today - Michael, Christine, Pete E, Norman, Frank, Ann, Adam, Paul and me, Bob.

The first part of the route took us along the Old Three Bridges Road. Next we used The Boulevard and then headed into West Green before using the tunnel into Ifield. 

The Rusper Road took us past the scene of the recent "body in the boot" murder and then we headed into Ifield Green and up Hillybarn Lane. At the top we stopped for a breather and to allow Bob to adjust his new Spd pedals - he was struggling to release his shoes from the too tight clips. Adjustments done, we headed along the Mount and then North to Newdigate.

Reaching Parkgate, Bobs plan was to head north and east but the group consensus was to head straight for Charlwood down Stanhill. So we pulled up at The Greyhound in Charlwood at only half past eleven. The pub wasn't busy and we were soon sat outside eating and drinking. Everyone was surprised at the low price but good quality the food and drink was. As we were so close to the airport, conversation naturally centred on the (potential) expansion of Gatwick.

Our homeward route took us past the western end of the runway and we witnessed several planes taking off as well as a few landings before we headed towards Ifield along Bonnetts Lane. Crossing the River Mole into Ifield, I took us along a quiet lane to Ifield Green and St Margaret's Church. Here several of our riders went to look around the churchyard whilst I looked after the bikes and chatted with a Churchwarden.

Heading towards Ifield station, Norman left us to pick up NCN228 back to Horsham, whilst the rest of us used the new cycle track and old subway back into West Green. Next we used Springfield Road and the back streets of old Southgate to get to the Hawth Avenue traffic lights before taking a quick sortie through Furnace Green to pick up the Black Path which led us to Haslett Avenue and thence Three Bridges Station.

Not a long ride today - a mere twenty odd miles - but everyone seemed to have enjoyed it.

Our next ride on Sunday 12th April will have a 10:00 hrs start at HPP. We will head south then west to have lunch at Sumners Ponds with the other West Sussex CTC groups before popping round to New Road to take part in the Freewheel DA Competion - it's dead easy: all you do is roll down the road and see who can roll the furthest - John C is usually our best competitor, why not see if you can give him a run for the money?

Tanfield Farm Shop

Four of us out today - me, Norman, Malcolm and Michael. Forecast was light rain and windy but rain wasn't much more than drizzle and we didn't really notice the wind until we were on the way back when it was against us.

Route was Broadbridge Heath, Warnham, A29, Weare St, Capel, Newdigate and then back via Rusper.

We tried the new footbridge across to Tescos and contrary to the criticism posted on Facebook recently didn't have any problems with it. The barriers they have installed on the slope on the Tesco side are easily negotiable by any competent cyclist and probably necessary to deter skateboarders, reckless cyclists etc. as it is a long straight downhill with a sharp U turn at the end. It's a big improvement on the old bridge and my only comment would be that they perhaps should have separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians. It wasn't an issue for us but could be at busy times.

Pete E

The Green Man at Horsted Keynes

I didn't beat about the bush with my description of this ride - I rated it medium because it was fairly low mileage (less than 30) but with several hills in it.  Seven hardy souls joined me at the start and we were kept entertained by the usual displays of inept driving on and around the station forecourt as we waited for Norman to finish his breakfast snack.

Todays attendees were Michael, Malcolm, Frank, Pat, Norman, Frank, Gordon and myself.

The first part of todays route went up through Pound Hill and out over the motorway on the Turners Hill Road. Stopping to regroup at Keepers Cottage revealed that Michael had had to turn back because of a puncture, so we were now down to seven - no matter, once we reached Turners Hill we were joined by Anton and John V.

I didn't hang about there because I knew a steam train was due to cross our route shortly, so sped off down the road to meet it.

We all gathered at the side of the road and had a good view of the train, high up on the embankment. It was the 'wrong' way round unfortunately (travelling tender first). Here's a quick video:
https://youtu.be/waVDc1nfUbU

We carried on, up to the crossroads where we turned right towards Saint Hill Green. Next we passed Deers Leap Park where we'll be having some fun on Saturday May 2nd. Then it was down the twisty-turny hill to the tail of Weirwood Reservoir - no matter how hard I try, I always have to use my brakes to get around the second bend (otherwise I'd end up in the bushes).

We regrouped at the bottom and then carried on along Legsheath Lane. This lane starts off all nice and level but then turns away from the water and climbs up to the heights of Ashdown Forest. The climb is worth it as the scenery becomes more open and there are good vistas to the north. A quick breather at the crossroads then straight on for half a mile before turning right onto Twyford Lane.  Here's a video showing what a delight this downhill portion of the route is:
https://youtu.be/gaZbLOG-qS0

From here we just had a short sharp climb up onto a ridge and then travelled along the road into Horsted Keynes for lunch at The Green man. I was really pleased to see that Michael had joined us and even more pleased with the welcome from the pub staff and the quality of their food and drinks.

Consequently we must have spent about an hour and a half in the pub before venturing out to tackle the hills on the route home. I gave people a choice of routes and was hoping they'd opt for the Sharpthorne route back but no, they all wanted Ardingly. Once we got to Ardingly we split into two groups, pretty much on the basis of bike type - the road bike riders carried on up past Wakehurst Place and on to Turners Hill whilst the mtb'ers took the reservoir route and on to Worth Abbey.

As far as I'm aware, everyone made it home safely - if anyone knows any different, let me know!

The next ride is a 10:00hrs start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park with Pete E leading an easy ride which will have a lunch stop at Tanhouse Farm Shop.  Don't forget, the clocks Spring forward one hour on Saturday night.

Anniversary Ride

Half past eight on a Sunday morning - I wanted to be in bed snuggled up to a warm woman, but no, I was out on my bike on a crisp morning and riding into a chilly wind. The nice blue sky and fluffy clouds wouldn't have been out of place in summertime but the temperature shouted that it was still winter. I plodded along the Forest Road with the wind testing the seams of my top and trying to sneak up my sleeves. I knew I was going to be late and as I passed the Rusper Road so my phone lit up with a "Where are you?" text from Anton.  I didn't bother stopping to answer as I was only a couple of minutes away. Anton was waiting with Norman and Malcolm - everyone else had dropped out. We waited a few minutes in case of stragglers then Anton led us away - across the golf course where we encountered a large group of dog walkers (I think they had been taking part in a protest about some potential development in the area).

Byfleets Lane and Strood Lane were both resurfaced last year but are breaking up terribly now - an indictment of the West Sussex road maintenance programme if ever there was one. Anton next took us up Rowhook Hill, then across to Cox Green and into Rudgwick. We stopped every now and again so that Anton could phone the pub to let them know there weren't as many of us as he'd provisionally booked for. However, he was unable to get through in spite of trying on at least half a dozen occasions. We crossed the A281 and headed towards The Haven before turning south opposite the Blue Ship. We followed Rowner Road all of its length, enjoying it's generally downhill disposition, then followed the A272 into Billinghurst. Anton was getting into his stride now and led us South, over the railway and down to the B2133. We whistled along in a compact line until we eventually turned North up Spear Hill and on to Broomers Corner. Now it was but a short ride to the lunch stop at The Countryman. 

The landlord seemed a bit grumpy that there were only four of us but we settled down and enjoyed some good food and drink. The pub was not busy and put a lie to the landlords claim that he'd had to turn away business to accommodate us. I suspect that we won't be visiting The Countryman again for quite a while.

Anton gave us choice of routes back to Horsham and we plumped for the shortest. From Shipley we crossed over the A272, through Dragons Green and on up to the Bax Castle. Not long after we arrived back in Horsham and dispersed back to our homes.

Our next ride is a Beginners Ride, starting from Three Bridges at 10:00hrs. Pete E will lead us along the Crawley Horsham cycle route and then across to the Strawberry Fields cafe for refreshments before returning to Three Bridges.