The Victory at Staplefield

Having agreed to lead this ride rather late in the day due to Bob revelling in the delights of Ibiza and not returning to the UK until the day before the ride, I decided to set myself a challenge of finding the easiest (ie flattest) route to Staplefield from Horsham. A quick search on Google revealed that Horsham has an altitude of 50m and Staplefield one of 76m so in theory it shouldn’t be too difficult but Horsham is surrounded by hills and it was always going to be a case of minimising the hills rather than avoiding them altogether.

Arriving at Horsham Park Pavilions I was pleased to see that there was a good turnout of riders: Bob (refreshed from a week of idling on beaches), Anton, Michael, Ken, Gordon, Val and myself. Just before we set off John V also arrived having ridden from Crawley. I had decided to leave Horsham via Pedlar’s way and the Downslink but after the heavy rain of the night before I was uncertain how muddy it would be. Anton, Bob, Ken, Michael and John  decided to take a road route while Val, Gordon and myself decided to brave the off road route agreeing to meet at Copsale. When the off road group reached Coltstaple lane however we found the others waiting for us. Bob had got confused and used Kerves Lane instead of Sedgwick lane and decided to join us along Jackrell’s Lane. At Copsale we again parted company with the roadies going via Maplehurst and up a couple of hills while the rest of us took the Downslink to Partridge Green where we regrouped. From there we took an undulating route via Shermanbury, High Cross and Albourne to Hurstpierpoint. Despite being at about the same altitude as Horsham, on turning north along Cuckfield Road we were rewarded with a long downhill stretch on which Val recorded a new high speed record of some 26mph on her new bike. We soon paid for this with some uphill stretches as we continued north through Goddards Green to Ansty where we met John C who had missed the start at Horsham. Continuing north via  Deak’s lane we encountered the worst hills of the morning before joining the B2115 Staplefield Road where Anton left us. Bearing right at Slough Green there was another long downhill stretch to Staplefield where we stopped at the Victory for some much needed refreshments and were amused by the notice in the window.



The two Johns left us to return to Crawley via Handcross while the remainder of us stayed a little longer and eventually and somewhat reluctantly decided that we must leave. We headed westwards via Slaugham and Hammerpond Road where Bob and Gordon left us at Grouse Road leaving Val, Michael and myself to suffer the final climbs near Mannings Heath and return to Horsham.

My newly loaded Google Tracker app on my mobile phone displayed the following statistics at the end of the ride.

Total Distance 32.09 miles

Average moving speed 9.1 mph

Max speed 34.57 mph

Minimum elevation 156.30 feet

Maximum elevation 525.46 feet

Elevation gain 3291.85 feet

How accurate these figures are and whether I achieved my objective of finding the easiest route I don’t know but I think everybody enjoyed the ride which is the most important thing.

Pete E.

Our next ride is on Sunday 4th August and is the DA Picnic. Pack a picnic in your saddlebag/bumbag/backpack/barbag/pannier and make your own way to Wisborough Green where we will rendezvous with the other West Sussex groups at about midday to sit on the village green, eat, drink and be merry! Every member that turns up earns 5 points in the DA Trophy competition.

Please note that we do NOT have an organised ride from Horsham for this event as we have no one to lead the ride - sorry.  Feel free to make your own way to Wisborough Green though.

The Horsham 100

I can't moan - we have to run this ride when the days are long (we schedule it to take 12 hours) and it's nice to see the sun but ............by 'eck it weren't half hot on Sunday!  By mid afternoon I'd consumed over eight pints of fluids and I reckon every drop had left my body as sweat.

Four of us started from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 7am - Michael, Pete, Anton and myself. We headed out over a deserted golf course and then down through Broadbridge Heath. We carried on through the roadworks at Newbridge and along the A264 until we forked left onto Bashurst Hill. It was perfect cycling, hardly any wind, the temperature just right, almost no traffic and good company. Mick had prepared the route and it was using some nice quiet lanes. Near Barns Green we turned west and not for the only time in the ride we climbed up one of the DA Freewheel hills. Reaching the A29 we found it to be fairly busy with quite a few sporty cars on it - there was probably a do on at Goodwood. We were soon over it and then heading south on Rowner Road before using the A272 for a few yards. Heading on past the Limeburners Arms the sun was climbing higher and the temperature was doing likewise and it was still not 9am! We recrossed the A29 at Adversane and headed on before turning right at Broadford Bridge to climb Woods Hill (the second DA Freewheel hill). West Chiltington was next followed by West Chiltington Common and then the turn north up past Smock Alley.

Heading east and north and east again we arrived at The Countryman Inn but instead of going the short route from there to Dial Post, we had to put a loop in through Shipley Village - we assume this was to make the mileage up a bit. But it was not long after that, having crossed the busy A24, we pulled up at the Old Barn Garden Centre for our coffee break.

John V met us there and we had a pleasant half hour sat in the sunshine watching two of our number scoffing a fried breakfast each and being watched by a wandering Peacock!

Now there were five of us and we continued on towards Ashurst and then to Partridge Green. Resisting the urge to shortcut through the Shermanbury Estate, we headed south towards Henfield but then east on the B2116 before finally turning north towards Wineham. 

The sun was really getting into its stride now but fortunately we were negotiating the Forest Ridges and were mainly in the shade of trees - except that is for that tiny, nasty little climb into Warninglid! We needed a brief stop in the shade in front of The Half Moon to cool down and recover our breath, then we had a pleasant, mainly downhill run to Slaugham Pond. Now we were on the home run to lunch and we coped pretty well with the climbs that the Hammerpond Road threw at us. John headed back to Crawley as we turned into Depot Road and just a few minutes later we arrived at our lunch stop, the Park Cafe. We managed to find a shady table outside and enjoyed a relaxing hour eating, chatting and watching the world go by.

Pete and Michael decided that the mornings 50 miles was enough and this left just Anton and myself to carry on and clock up the afternoon 50. We decided to do it as an anti-clockwise loop as we fancied it looked slightly easier, the trouble is, this meant that as soon as we left Horsham we had a very stiff climb up Old Holbrook . As we got to the top we looked at each other and queried our sanity, but once we got our breath back we were ok again - and we were sidetracked by what looked like a puncture in my rear tyre. We stopped at the end of Wimlands Lane and looking at my tyre I couldn't find a puncture even though it seemed to have lost at least half its pressure, so I just reinflated it to see what happened (nothing - it didn't lose any pressure for the rest of the ride). 

After Wimlands we went through Lambs Green and then took the Rusper Road all the way to Ifield Green. Heading out of Ifield I missed a turn and instead of using Bonnetts Lane towards Charlwood we used the Charlwood Road. The distance looked the same on the map, so I wasn't too concerned. I was hoping to get an ice cream at Charlwood but the shop was shut and I had to make do with another swig of water from my bottle. In the full sun we continued on to Povey Cross and then up Horse Hill and on to Ironsbottom. Next we passed through Leigh and then reached our northernmost point as we turned into Gadbrook Road from Snowerhill Road. We were getting pretty tired but only had to travel down through Holmwood Common and over the railway before we could enjoy our afternoon break at Henfold Lakes. We sheltered from the sun and had a couple of pints of iced drinks each - here's Anton just starting his second:

We refilled our water bottles with fresh cold water and remounted. The first 100 yards was a stiff climb but then the road settled down and we had soon passed through Newdigate and Capel to get to Weare Street. Weare Street heading south is one of the best rides around these parts and once again it provided a lovely, relaxing, sun-dappled breather as we cruised down its two miles or so of quiet perfection.

Ploughing on we were now effectively heading away from Horsham as we passed through OkewoodHill, Walliswood, neared Ewhurst, Ellens Green, Cox Green and Rudgwick where we hit our most westerly point as we turned south onto Haven Road. We were now on the home run and after a quick burst on a mile of Stane Street, climbed up for a fast freewheel down through Slinfold. As we turned onto the Five Oaks Road near Newbridge, Anton remarked that just over 11 hours previously we'd passed that same point as we'd headed out in the cool of the morning. In the middle of Broadbridge Heath I pulled over to take this photograph:

...and a couple of miles later we arrived back at Horsham Pavilion in the Park. I asked a passer-by to take a photo of Anton and myself to mark the achievement.

.Thanks to Mick for working out the route - it was actually very enjoyable. Thanks to Pete S for the mapping. Thanks to Pete E, Michael and John V for taking part and thanks to all the cheerful people working in sweltering conditions in the three cafes we visited.

If you've got eight minutes to spare, here's a low definition video of various parts of the morning (speeded up to make us look fast!!)

Next weeks ride will start from Three Bridges Station at 10:00 and is a Beginners Ride suitable for all riders. It will last a couple of hours or so and may well use The Worth Way. Fill up your water bottle(s) and get out riding!

The Two Weald Ride (DA Event)

During the summer months, we have a number of events designed to bring members of Arun/Adur, Bognor/Chichester and Horsham /Crawley CTC member groups together. In July we stage the Two Weald Ride. This gives our members a choice of four different 25 mile routes looping out from Wisborough Green in the general direction of each of the four main compass points.

For this years event we had a total of 15 riders turn up. It was a gloriously sunny day and I opened up the checkpoint a little earlier than advertised and got the first rider off at 09:35, with the second following along just before 10:00. As in the last few years, Frank and Pat brought their camper van and it made a great base for everyone to congregate around and enjoy their refreshments. Frank had manoeuvred it under the tree and so we could sit in the shade to avoid getting sunburnt. 

The bulk of the riders set off in two groups at about 10:15 - one group using the North loop and the other using the West loop. This left Frank and myself manning the Control but we were soon joined by John V and then Anton. We were hoping to ride as a quartet but we needed to wait for someone to take over the Control and time was slipping away, so John and Anton set off on the West loop by themselves. As I was getting hungry, I popped into the pub for lunch and got back to the van just before Pat arrived back (with John C). This meant Frank and I could set off, along with Colin - this was his second loop of the day. We'd decided on using the West loop because we think it is the nicest although it does have a couple of hills. This slide show covers all but the last mile of the entire route in a mere 6.5 minutes! If only we could ride that fast! Mind you, we'd miss the fantastic countryside that it goes through - hopefully the slide show gives some flavour, but believe me, there's no substitute for the real thing.

Arriving back at the Control bang on 16:00, all that was left to do was wave goodbye to the last of our fellow riders as they headed for home and then pack up the camper van and head for home ourselves. It had been a wonderful days cycling although the heat had probably stopped some people doing additional loops. That said, we'd collectively cycled well in excess of 400 miles taking into account those people such as John V, Anne and Colin who had all ridden to and from Wisborough Green on top of riding their loops.

Next weeks ride is a big one - it's the Horsham 100.  And this being England, the 100 means miles not kilometres!  It will start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 07:00 hrs and comprises of a 50 mile loop to the south with a tea stop at The Barn Garden Centre (Dial Post) at 09:30 and lunch at the Park Cafe in Horsham at 12:30. The afternoon 50 mile loop will head north and have a tea break at Henfold Lakes at 16:00 to finish back at Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 19:00 hrs. Feel free to do as much or as little of the ride as you want - perhaps just one 50 mile loop, or just a rendezvous at one of the refreshment stops which are both within about ten miles of Horsham. Hey, why not just meet up at lunch and give your encouragement to those trying to make it to three figures :-)

Summers Day on the Downs Link

After spending Saturday standing in the sunshine at Tilgate Park, talking to people about cycling and getting sunburnt, I was hoping to see the sun again on Sunday. My luck was in, the sun was shining and for once I was out early and not only that I got to the start at Horsham Park Pavilion a full 15 minutes ahead of time.

Within minutes I was joined by Mike, Barbara, Ken, Pete E and Val. I also received a text telling me Gordon was on his way. We waited and waited for Gordon but no sign, so we decided I would continue to wait for him and Pete would start leading everyone else on the route. A few minutes passed by and Gordon arrived - his watch was some 50 minutes slow and he thought he was arriving on time! He and I set off in pursuit, down past the Council Offices, left at the first set of lights and left at the second set of lights. Under the railway and right into Queensway - still no sign of the others. Now we turned left onto the Pedlars Way which took us through an old farmyard, across a river and then uphill along the side of a wood. Gordon was fairly flying up the hill, I was just gasping, but at the top we caught up with the others. Carrying on we encountered what would be the worst surface of the day as we followed the bridle path along what is a private road. We next turned right onto Coltstaple Lane and then left  and left again into Jackrells Lane. The cycling was very pleasant in the glorious sunshine.

We continued south and were soon at Copsale where we sadly noticed that the pub is looking more and more like a private house even though the pub sign is still standing. We were now on the Downs Link and the trees were giving us some protection from the sun. The going was fairly smooth and, as we were ahead of time, I decided to have a stop at West Grinstead. We pulled up at the railway carriage which advertised cold drinks, chocolate and biscuits but when we checked, they didn't have nearly enough for all seven of us. So we went to the nearby Orchard restaurant. Gordon very kindly treated us all to a drink and a cake (an apology for being late he said) and we had a very pleasant break sat in the sunshine in the garden. Back on our bikes we continued south, past a nice ripe cornfield and on into Partridge Green. Val was pleased to make it up the sharp slope onto the road without dismounting. After a short spell on the road it was back offroad travelling between a pair of hedges and then through a gate into an open field. To the right of us we could see a pill box - it would have had control of the river crossing that the railway afforded but would have been difficult to get to and from as it seems to be all exposed!

Another couple of miles further and bang on 12 midday we pulled up at the lunch halt, the Cat and Canary in Henfield. As all the outside tables were in the full sun, we found a table indoors in a nice airy corner and ordered our food and drink. My nice cold cider was just what the doctor ordered and my bacon, sausage and onion baguette was just right too. Just then Adrian arrived. Although just down the road from him, Adrian hadn't visited this pub for some time but he was soon settled down with a pint and regaling us with stories and information. It was great seeing Adrian again but all too soon it was time for us to start our return journey. We retraced our steps back up the Downs Link, through Partridge Green, past West Grinstead and then we kept on it past Copsale and under the A24 to Southwater. Here we stopped for a breather and an ice cream. By now the sun was having a positively soporific effect on me but I was jerked from my reverie as everyone got up, ready to get going again. We carried on through Southwater, across the field and on along the Downs Link, past the Bax Castle (which sounded quite busy) and on to Christs Hospital. I carried on ahead, intending to film everyone riding past me at the next junction but when I got there, the battery had run out in my camera!

We now said goodbye to Michael as he carried on to Rudgwick but we left the Downs Link and headed towards Broadbridge Heath on a bridle way. It wad a slight diversion through the building works but then we arrived at Tesco and Pete led us over the footbridge and into Horsham. We headed through the southern suburbs and then past the cricket ground to emerge by St Marks Church. From here it was but a short ride to the park where we said good bye to Pete and Val. The rest of us headed towards Roffey where Barbara turned off. Now it was just the three Crawley blokes the pace quickened up - and I shot out the back! I tried my best to keep up but every time the road headed up I started blowing and the gap got bigger.  I regained their wheels on the downhill through Colgate but then lost them again past Cottesmore. We next became a trio at Pease Pottage but once across the Marie Vescoe crossing we said goodbye to Gordon. Ken powered down the hill and I slipstreamed him nice and tight, even though we were hitting 38mph+  Ken was the next departee and then finally I arrived home at about 4pm with less than 40 miles on the clock and a big smile on my face.

Next weeks ride is the next of the DA events - The Two Weald Ride. Featuring four different 25 mile loops all starting/finishing at Wisborough Green. As usual, refreshments will be available courtesy of Pat and Frank with their camper - please bring a homemade cake for us to sell (if you can). The camper will be there between 10:00 and 16:00 so you can have a cuppa before starting a ride and one when you get back - luxury! However, if you want to do all four loops I'd suggest starting the first one by about 08:00, starting the second by about 10:30, the third by 13:30 and the fourth by about 16:00. The maps and route instructions are available on our website 

maps: http://handc-ctc.tripod.com/twowealdmap.doc    

route instructions:  http://handc-ctc.tripod.com/two_weald_route_instructions.doc

Printed copies will be available in the camper.  If the weather is as good as this week, it will be a truly great day for cycling around some absolutely beautiful routes in the heart of the Sussex countryside. I hope to see lots of you there...

Wings Aviation Museum

The Sunday closest to the Summer Solstice should surely be warm and sunny? Not this year! It felt like early April and showers were threatening, however I was joined by six other riders and we enjoyed a nice day out.

As we were heading south of Crawley, climbing was inevitable but I tried to find a route that would minimise the amount and be fairly quiet. I opted to head for Turners Hill but using what I fancied would be a flatter route via Rowfant with just a short, sharp ascent for the last couple of hundred yards up to the crossroads in Turners Hill. 

On regrouping at the front of the school, a couple of riders reckoned the normal climb up past Tulley's Farm would have been easier, I'm not so sure. After a breather, we carried on and headed west through Worth Abbey. As we rode along we could see the scarp of the South Downs about 10 miles away on our left. In spite of the overcast conditions and the lack of contrast, I could just about make out the V-shaped plantation on the scarp just south of Plumpton Green. It was planted to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

On reaching the Cowdray Arms, we turned left and then a couple of hundred yards up the road, right. After about a mile we passed a small lane on the left, Crawley Lane, which, if you extended it to the right would go straight to Crawley although no such route now exists! There is a convenient bridge for such a route to cross the railway just north of Balcombe tunnel but no public right-of-way apart from a section of bridle way in Tilgate Forest.

Soon after this we reached the road junction near the Water Tower and turned left onto Brantridge Lane. The Wings Aviation Museum is on the right after about 800 yards. We locked the bikes up against the side of the building and went in. The museum very much specialises in displaying and explaining the remains of crashed aircraft from the Second World War although it also has features about the V1 and V2 flying bombs along with a very moving account of a slave labour camp involved in their manufacture.

This photo shows the crumpled exhaust of a crashed Mustang aircraft.

I had a nice chat with one of the museum volunteers about post war commercial flying - she had been a stewardess during that period.

We'd been there about an hour and a half and I could easily have spent another couple of hours studying all the displays but stomachs were starting to rumble. Turning right out onto Brantridge Lane, we enjoyed a nice long glide for a mile or so before a short incline and glide into Staplefield to pull up at The Victory for lunch. There being no spare tables inside, we sat outside and enjoyed sunshine and clouds with the odd spot of rain whilst we chatted, ate and drank.

There was no avoiding a climb on the way back as we were sat snugly in the Forest Ridges from whence everywhere is the other side of a hill!

I led us westwards through to Slaugham, then Slaugham Pond, past the Wheatsheaf at Plummers Plain, over the Hammer Pond and then turned right onto Grouse Road. Although the 4 mile length of this road is generally all uphill, it's relatively gradual and so we all managed to stay as a group along it. At the top we said goodbye to Barbara as she turned west back home to Horsham, whilst the rest of us headed on into Pease Pottage and then down the hill to K2. Ken left us in Tilgate, Ros was escorted to Maidenbower by Pat and Frank and I guided Val as far as Russell Way.

Video starts at Rowfant, then passes the Cowdray Arms and finishes down Brantridge Lane to The Victory.

Next weeks ride, inspired by the time of year(!) is titled "Summers Day on the Downs Link". I imagined we would be in the middle of a heat wave and could spend a pleasant day soaking up the sun with an easy ride out and back along the Downs Link.  Let's keep our fingers crossed!!   

It will start from Horsham Pavilion in the Park at 09:30 and will be mainly offroad but suitable for all except the most delicate of bikes. Lunch will probably be at the Cat and Canary in Henfield, although the ride can be shortened or lengthened depending on conditions and who turns up.

Mystery Ride

Pete writes:

This run was a ‘Mystery Ride’.    Until the day before it was a mystery to the leader as well as he couldn’t decide where to go!

In the event The Forester’s at Kirdford was decided upon with the option of going to the café at Wisborough Green if the pub was busy due to it being Father’s Day. 

Norman, Barbara, Michael G and myself set off from Horsham Pavilions across the golf course and along Robin Hood Lane where instead of turning left as usual we turned right and up Bailing Hill to warm up. In Warnham we turned into Friday Street and then back along Byfleets Lane and Strood Lane before joining the A281 for a short distance before heading for Rowhook and Ellens Green. After continuing west via Cox Green and Baynards we headed south down Cooks Hill, crossing the A281 to Tisman’s Common and then into Drungewick lane where we stopped briefly at Southwater Cycles to inspect the new premises. 

Turning right on the main road we headed towards Loxwood and then Ifold before turning south past Foxbridge Golf Course and arriving at the Forester’s Arms at 11.30 to find the pub closed. As it was raining none of us felt like waiting for it to open so we agreed to go to Fisher’s farm at Newpound for lunch and to give Norman the chance to embarrass his daughter who was working there.

After lunch we followed a fairly standard route home via Barns Green and Tower Hill to Horsham with Michael leaving us at the junction of Rowner Road and Okehurst Lane to head back home to Rudgwick. The ride was about 36 miles in total and we arrived in Horsham at around 2.30 just in time for the tennis on TV.

Our next ride is a 10:00 start from Three Bridges Station and will be another attempt to visit the Wings Aviation Museum in Brantridge Lane (£8 entry fee) and so will only be about a 25 mile ride. Lunch will probably be at The Victory in Staplefield.

Pooh sticks

Nice sunny weather in the week before the ride had me imagining a bright, warm Sunday but no, it was overcast and there was a cold wind blowing from the northeast. I arrived at Three Bridges station to be met by four riders - Barbara, Michael, Norman and Ken. Shortly after John V arrived and a few minutes later we set off.......... Only for me to wheel back because I'd forgotten to get some money out of the cash machine. I'd told the others what route we were using and once I'd got my cash I headed after them. Up Billinton Drive and onto the Worth Way. I was impressed with how far the others were ahead of me and I still hadn't caught them when I got to Worth Church where I spotted an old work colleague but couldn't stop to chat. I carried on and then heard a shout from behind - it was John, but he was by himself. As he explained that he'd seen the others missing the turn onto Billinton Drive my phone rang and Barbara told me the same and that they were now waiting at Compasses Cottage on the Worth Way just ahead of us. A couple of minutes later we'd all joined up and were continuing along our way.

We were cracking along at a good pace as we were sheltered from what was quite a stiff headwind and were soon at East Grinstead. Barbara turned back at this point and John left to go to a family party No steam engines at the station so we continued on up the High Street and onto the Forest Way.

It's slightly down hill all the way to Forest Row and then fairly level to Hartfield. Here we turned onto the road and headed up through the village and further up to Upper Hartfield. On the way we all collected several twigs so we were ready for the competition to come. Here's a short video of the route from the road to the bridge:

Having been soundly beaten at Pooh sticks by a family we met there, we climbed up through the woods to a lane and then headed east. At the end of the lane we crossed through a ford and then headed up the hill to arrive at the lunch halt - The Hatch at Colemans Hatch. We ordered our food, got our beers and sat down inside - next to an open fire - in June!!!!!

The beer was good, the food was excellent and we had a good old chat in the comfort of the pub.

For the return trip we had a nice fast downhill to Forest Row where we regained the Forest Way and headed back through East Grinstead (still no steam engine) and back to Crawley having covered just about 35 miles.

Our next ride is at 10:00hrs on Sunday 16th June and will be a Mystery Ride led by Pete E from Horsham Pavilions in the Park.  Where will he take you? One things's certain - he won't take you anywhere near Turners Hill or Ardingly because the London to Brighton Bike Ride is on the same day.  It's also Fathers Day.