Three of us joined sixty odd other cyclists for this Sutton and Cheam CTC organised ride.
Anton, Pete S and I (Bob) met up at Three Bridges Station shortly before 10 p.m. to catch a train to Victoria. As we waited on the platform, three other cyclists arrived and when the train pulled in there were already several other cyclists aboard. As ever, we got chattting and found that all of them were tackling the same ride as us!
At Victoria Station there was already a gaggle of cyclists hanging around and eventually we all set off for the short ride to Hyde Park Corner. Here we met up with the rest of the riders and after a short briefing from the ride leader we set off.
Away from Hyde Park Corner the roads became quieter and we made our way out through London, stopping every now and again to regroup. After crossing Clapham Common we picked up the A24 and followed it to Ewell where we eschewed the bypass and headed for an all night garage. Here, whilst riders stocked up on food and drink (non-alcoholic), a policeman enquired what so many cyclists were doing out and about in the early hours of the morning.
As we got further out from London we needed our bike lights more and more. Some of the bikes had halogen lights that seemed far brighter than those of the occasional car that we saw. Crossing over the M25, a couple of lorries gave us an encouraging blast on the airhorns. Up till this point we’d been mainly traveling on well-lit roads, but now the lampposts started running out and when we reached the Leatherhead Bypass we had a fast descent to make on a pitch dark hill. However, with each bike switching on their mainbeam, it was relatively easy to see and I managed to clock over 30 mph down the hill – I don’t know my exact speed because every time I switched my main light on, interference from it seemed to stop my wireless speedo from working!!
After the Leatherhead Bypass we passed through the North Downs, still using the A24 and went through the eastern edge of Dorking. Heading south we had a slight climb to negotiate before we forked left and onto a more minor road towards Newdigate. We were now on familiar lanes and Rusper soon passed under our wheels. We carried on through Faygate and, on reaching the A264 turned left to arrive at the “lunch” stop – the Cabin Café by the roundabout. We queued up and ordered cups of tea and various sandwiches – I had a “mug of strong tea and a bacon sandwich please”. Sitting in the fug of the café, there was a good atmosphere with people talking and joking with each other. Looking out of the window I could see the sky lightening and by the time we restarted the ride at about 4 am, I would say that dawn had broken.
On very familiar territory now, us Horsham and Crawley riders were very much to the fore as we rode into Horsham town centre, past the (broken) globe water feature and out on the Worthing Road. At Tower Hill we turned right onto Two Mile Ash Road and followed it all the way to the edge of Barns Green where we turned left and headed for Coolham. After Coolham we passed through the junction where Dave Galle was so severely injured last year and I took the opportunity to take pictures showing how visible Anton and Pete were:
Shortly after here we forked left for the short climb into West Chiltington before the rapid descent of the double bends and then Stream Lane. Minutes later we were passing Wiggonholt RSPB centre before taking the right fork and entering the woods. Right then left took us to Rackham where we saw half a dozen deer standing in the road ahead of us. I found the short climb up Amberley Bank quite tiring and realized I had now been awake nearly 24 hours (and really, really wanted my bed). Passing through Amberley I felt sorry for the residents as we were making quite a bit of noise, then before the bridge, we turned left and headed up the quiet lane to North Stoke. I thought we were going to use the bridleway and head up into the Downs before heading south to com out on the A27, but instead, we dismounted and walked a path over several stiles, two fields and the “Gurkha Bridge”.
Shortly after this bridge, another one took us over the Arun and onto its west bank. From here we passed the Arundel Wildfowl park and arrived outside the gates to Arundel Castle. We regrouped here and I took the opportunity to get another bottle of water and some chocolate.
From Arundel we headed through Ford to Yapton, then down to Middleton before finally arriving on the coast at Felpham. Here the ride ended and we all settled down in the sun to eat a nice hearty breakfast from the café. Sitting there in the sun, with a full stomach was so comfortable that I soon found myself falling asleep and so we decided it was time to head home. We suspected that there would be too many cyclists trying to get on the train at Bognor station so we decided to ride a few miles inland to Barnham and catch a train from there (there was a better choice of service from there as well) but not before we had a team photo taken.
Anton, Pete S and I (Bob) met up at Three Bridges Station shortly before 10 p.m. to catch a train to Victoria. As we waited on the platform, three other cyclists arrived and when the train pulled in there were already several other cyclists aboard. As ever, we got chattting and found that all of them were tackling the same ride as us!
At Victoria Station there was already a gaggle of cyclists hanging around and eventually we all set off for the short ride to Hyde Park Corner. Here we met up with the rest of the riders and after a short briefing from the ride leader we set off.
Away from Hyde Park Corner the roads became quieter and we made our way out through London, stopping every now and again to regroup. After crossing Clapham Common we picked up the A24 and followed it to Ewell where we eschewed the bypass and headed for an all night garage. Here, whilst riders stocked up on food and drink (non-alcoholic), a policeman enquired what so many cyclists were doing out and about in the early hours of the morning.
As we got further out from London we needed our bike lights more and more. Some of the bikes had halogen lights that seemed far brighter than those of the occasional car that we saw. Crossing over the M25, a couple of lorries gave us an encouraging blast on the airhorns. Up till this point we’d been mainly traveling on well-lit roads, but now the lampposts started running out and when we reached the Leatherhead Bypass we had a fast descent to make on a pitch dark hill. However, with each bike switching on their mainbeam, it was relatively easy to see and I managed to clock over 30 mph down the hill – I don’t know my exact speed because every time I switched my main light on, interference from it seemed to stop my wireless speedo from working!!
After the Leatherhead Bypass we passed through the North Downs, still using the A24 and went through the eastern edge of Dorking. Heading south we had a slight climb to negotiate before we forked left and onto a more minor road towards Newdigate. We were now on familiar lanes and Rusper soon passed under our wheels. We carried on through Faygate and, on reaching the A264 turned left to arrive at the “lunch” stop – the Cabin Café by the roundabout. We queued up and ordered cups of tea and various sandwiches – I had a “mug of strong tea and a bacon sandwich please”. Sitting in the fug of the café, there was a good atmosphere with people talking and joking with each other. Looking out of the window I could see the sky lightening and by the time we restarted the ride at about 4 am, I would say that dawn had broken.
On very familiar territory now, us Horsham and Crawley riders were very much to the fore as we rode into Horsham town centre, past the (broken) globe water feature and out on the Worthing Road. At Tower Hill we turned right onto Two Mile Ash Road and followed it all the way to the edge of Barns Green where we turned left and headed for Coolham. After Coolham we passed through the junction where Dave Galle was so severely injured last year and I took the opportunity to take pictures showing how visible Anton and Pete were:
Shortly after here we forked left for the short climb into West Chiltington before the rapid descent of the double bends and then Stream Lane. Minutes later we were passing Wiggonholt RSPB centre before taking the right fork and entering the woods. Right then left took us to Rackham where we saw half a dozen deer standing in the road ahead of us. I found the short climb up Amberley Bank quite tiring and realized I had now been awake nearly 24 hours (and really, really wanted my bed). Passing through Amberley I felt sorry for the residents as we were making quite a bit of noise, then before the bridge, we turned left and headed up the quiet lane to North Stoke. I thought we were going to use the bridleway and head up into the Downs before heading south to com out on the A27, but instead, we dismounted and walked a path over several stiles, two fields and the “Gurkha Bridge”.
Shortly after this bridge, another one took us over the Arun and onto its west bank. From here we passed the Arundel Wildfowl park and arrived outside the gates to Arundel Castle. We regrouped here and I took the opportunity to get another bottle of water and some chocolate.
From Arundel we headed through Ford to Yapton, then down to Middleton before finally arriving on the coast at Felpham. Here the ride ended and we all settled down in the sun to eat a nice hearty breakfast from the café. Sitting there in the sun, with a full stomach was so comfortable that I soon found myself falling asleep and so we decided it was time to head home. We suspected that there would be too many cyclists trying to get on the train at Bognor station so we decided to ride a few miles inland to Barnham and catch a train from there (there was a better choice of service from there as well) but not before we had a team photo taken.
Arriving at Barnham we purchased our tickets (I’d brought my Gold Card season ticket so managed to get a slight discount – they were still £8.30 each though) and had only a short wait before our train arrived – guess where it came from? Yes, Bognor! As it was only 4 carriages long I feared there would be too many bikes on it already but no, our luck held out, and there was enough space for all three of us. After an uneventful journey during which I slept fitfully, we got back to Three Bridges and minutes later I was back home where, having had a wash and brush up, I promptly fell asleep as soon as I sat on my bed – my intention had been to stay awake all afternoon and then have an early night but my body overrode that plan without me knowing (until I woke up a few hours later!!).
Sunday dawned and I woke up with a painful right leg – it had started hurting several hours after I’d completed the London to Brighton ride a week ago and although I thought it was OK, the London to Bognor ride had obviously taken its toll. Regretfully I had to miss the club ride and sent Pete E a text to let him know.
Petes ride was billed as a “Mystery Ride” and his intended route remains a mystery to most of us for only two riders turned up – Mick and Barbara. They had a pleasant ride however and headed west and south to enjoy an early lunch at Wiston before stopping off at Maplehurst for a pint or two and a chat with John B (it is his local after all).
This Sunday is the second of the DA Events that we run – the Two Weald Ride. Centred on Wisborough Green, there are four 25 mile rides available - North, East, South and West. We will once again have a small marquee there and will be providing light refreshments (tea, coffee, squash, cakes & biscuits). Although the marquee will only be available between 10:00hrs and 16:00hrs, if you'd like to start riding before then - perhaps in order to do all four routes and clock up a 100 mile day, please do so. The map and route instructions are available here: http://www.ctcwestsussex.org.uk/Two_Weald_Ride_Routes_And_Map_2009_1_.pdf
As ever, we are dependent on you, our fellow club members, to bring along some cakes for us to sell to the hungry masses and raise a little money for the club funds.
In terms of DA points, you'll get a full 10 points for starting and completing at least one of the routes. Amazingly enough we're lying second in the DA competition at the moment, so please come along on Sunday even if just for one loop (the Western one is my personal favourite).
Sunday dawned and I woke up with a painful right leg – it had started hurting several hours after I’d completed the London to Brighton ride a week ago and although I thought it was OK, the London to Bognor ride had obviously taken its toll. Regretfully I had to miss the club ride and sent Pete E a text to let him know.
Petes ride was billed as a “Mystery Ride” and his intended route remains a mystery to most of us for only two riders turned up – Mick and Barbara. They had a pleasant ride however and headed west and south to enjoy an early lunch at Wiston before stopping off at Maplehurst for a pint or two and a chat with John B (it is his local after all).
This Sunday is the second of the DA Events that we run – the Two Weald Ride. Centred on Wisborough Green, there are four 25 mile rides available - North, East, South and West. We will once again have a small marquee there and will be providing light refreshments (tea, coffee, squash, cakes & biscuits). Although the marquee will only be available between 10:00hrs and 16:00hrs, if you'd like to start riding before then - perhaps in order to do all four routes and clock up a 100 mile day, please do so. The map and route instructions are available here: http://www.ctcwestsussex.org.uk/Two_Weald_Ride_Routes_And_Map_2009_1_.pdf
As ever, we are dependent on you, our fellow club members, to bring along some cakes for us to sell to the hungry masses and raise a little money for the club funds.
In terms of DA points, you'll get a full 10 points for starting and completing at least one of the routes. Amazingly enough we're lying second in the DA competition at the moment, so please come along on Sunday even if just for one loop (the Western one is my personal favourite).
