The Plough at Leigh

I still don't know how to correctly pronounce the name of the village, but that didn't mean that Anton couldn't lead us there.


The last Sunday in September dawned with glorious clear blue skies and on arrival at Three Bridges Station there were a couple of new faces joining us for the ride. Anton led Eric, Sebastian, Michael, Christine, John C and myself out through Three Bridges on NCN 20 and into the Industrial Estate (coincidentally, using the same route that I do on my way to work). The roads were fairly quiet and we were soon on the smooth path running alongside the River Mole towards the Airport terminal building. The lake at Horley was looking very picturesque in the sunshine and then Anton took us through the middle of Horley and over the corssroads by the Air Balloon pub. Meath Green Lane/Lonesome Lane was very smooth and we realized that we were running a long way ahead of time, so decided to fit in an extra stop.

Accordingly we pulled up at Reigate Garden Centre to have a quick drink and ablutions break...


On the road again, Anton took us on some pleasant lanes to Betchworth and past The Dolphin pub before fitting in a little extra loop to ensure we arrived at The Plough in Leigh bang on midday -  Anton scores maximum points for timing.


We sat outside in the sunshine and were met by Barbara who had ridden up from Horsham.




The beer was good, the food was good, the conversation was good but the weather eclipsed them all - a full-on summers day.

We remounted and headed west before turning south to get to Parkgate. From here it was west and south again to Newdigate and then further south to Rusper. We stopped there for a while (and some of us had an icecream) before Barbara headed off towards Horsham and the rest of us headed back to Ifield. We took advantage of the new Ifield to West Green cycle route and then used the backstreets of Southgate to get to Hawth Avenue and thence Furnace Green where I left the group. Anton carried on, under the railway to Maidenbower and then guided the last couple of riders back to Three Bridges Station.


Next weeks ride is Gordon's B-Ride - it starts from Three Bridges Station at 10:00 hrs .(or 08:00 for Breakfast at Gordons) then follows a mixed surface route out to Horsham on the NCN 288 route and back via St. Leonards Forest. Mountain bikes or strong tourers are recommended.  Why B-Ride you ask - well, it features breakfast, bacon butties, banter, bikes, bridleways, Bob(probably), bumps, bunnies(maybe), bananaskins, babies - that's enough b's! Ed.

Wiston Tea Rooms

Wiston Tea Rooms or, more accurately Wiston Granary, is only about 11 miles or so south of Horsham but we managed to spin it out to over 34 today……

Pete E had revised the route he'd used the previous time for this ride and completely avoided using Hammerpond Lane. The only trouble was that this added about six miles to the distance and wasn't exactly flat. The three horrible Hammerpond hills were bypassed but the extra miles as we went via Copsale, Maplehurst and Lower Beeding were accompanied by their own lumpy bits! I was struggling a bit as we approached Warninglid but the weather was nice and as we turned to a more southerly direction we had the benefit of a tailwind. One more climb took us over the last Forest Ridge and we fairly shot down to Shaves Thatch corner. Soon after, the South Downs were blocking our path and we turned to the west at Fulking. 

The scenery was beautiful and made even better by the iridescent blue sky. By now it was past midday and we were all feeling hungry so we kept to the most direct route (also the most level route) through Bramber, by-passed Steyning and shortly after took the right turn to Wiston.

We sat in the garden but with the sun increasingly being obscured by cloud it wasn't quite warm enough to be perfect - the garden was really pleasant, the food and drink was just right and delivered with a smile, but when the sun was hidden the wind was sending ripples of goosebumps over bare legs and arms.

The route back to Horsham was exactly what appeared on the runslist - as short as we could make it and we arrived safely back at HPP bang on 15:30 hrs with a nice round 45 miles on the speedo.

Next weeks ride is a plain and simple ride to The Plough at Leigh. Meet at Three Bridges Station at 09:30 and Anton will take us on an easy, relatively hill-free journey to this cosy pub and back with a total mileage of only about 30 miles, all on generally quiet lanes and tarmac cyclepaths.

Annual Ride to the Seaside

This is usually a popular ride and this year we had eleven riders turn up.


Pete S led Marian, Anton, Val, Norman, Malcolm, John V, Ken, Christine, Michael and myself off towards Turners Hill. However, halfway through Pound Hill Malcolm had to  turn for home as his rear wheel had broken another spoke (making five in total) and was looking likely to collapse.


The drag up to Turners Hill was a pain as usual and Val was all for turning for home but a bit of gentle persuasion from the rest of us changed her mind. We sped down the B-road, past a less than busy Wakehurst Place and on through Ardingly. The weather was just right for cycling and we were soon on Lindfield. I popped in to the Co-Op there and bought some chocolate bars, everyone else was talking about what to do in light of the fact that there were no trains running from Brighton. The decision was made to carry on to the teashop at Ditchling and then work out what to do. We got there using Slugwash Lane and Ditchling Common Road.


The garden at the teashop was sheltered and sunny and we settled down to eat, drink and chat. Val took this picture of three monkeys:

Anton had not joined us in the café but had continued riding and gone up Ditchling Beacon. When he did join us he showed me some video of the climb and his obligatory 99 cone at the top. Well done Anton.


Talk had turned to what shape the rest of the ride would take and consensus was that we would head for Haywards Heath Railway station along a quiet route, point Norman in the direction of Horsham and anyone left over would ride back to Crawley. However, seeing Antons film had made me pine for the climb - it was silly to be so close and not do it! I set off and just a couple of minutes later I was gritting my teeth and getting stuck into the hill. The first part of Ditchling Beacon is always the hardest for me and I was soon down to about my 5th lowest gear ratio. I was determined not hit granny so each time the road bucked up I rose from the saddle and stomped on up. In a perverse way I was quite enjoying the climb, helped by going past a resting roadie and enjoying the views of the Weald, and I was surprised when the horse and rider sign swam into view to announce the top was imminent. I did the usual and rode on into the car park, right up to the ice-cream van and got my usual, a '99'.


It had taken me 10 minutes to do the climb, it took just over two to get down (and I'd been slowed down by some cars). Reaching Ditchling I checked the café but everyone else had gone, so I headed east for a mile or so then turned north onto Spatham Lane. By now I had expected to have caught the others but was beginning to worry I'd taken the wrong route, so sent Anton a text. I was on the right route but they were about three miles or so ahead of me. I kept going and then, halfway up Hundred Acre Lane, I saw Anton who had come back to meet me - thanks Anton. We carried on to Wivelfield Green and then onto Slugwash Lane - it's harder going north. At the far end, Ken and John V were waiting - everyone else had continued on towards Lindfield (and then Haywards Heath). Anton left us here and we bypassed Lindield to use East Mascalls Lane and Plummenden Lane on our way up to Ardingly.


I needed a breather so we stopped and sat on a bench in the middle of Ardingly. Then we spotted a tandem going past - it was Pete and Marian! They stopped and joined us before we all got going again and carried on past the showground and on up to Selsfield Common. We were really quick into Turners Hill but as I climbed up towards the crossroads, my chain got jammed and I had to stop and clear it. It seems that I spend so much time working on other peoples bikes that mine just doesn't get any attention!


The others were waiting for me at the top, but I had no recurrence of the problem and just a few minutes later we were back in Crawley.


Next weeks ride is a Horsham Pavilions in the Park start at 09:30. Pete E will lead us on a nice roundabout route to the south and east before turning west for lunch at the Wiston Tea Rooms. The return to Horsham will be pretty much the shortest route back. The ride is rated as Medium and will be about 40 miles long. We did it in the wet last year and enjoyed it in spite of the weather, so if the sun is shining it will be even better. See you there!!

DA Event - Arun Crossings

The last DA Event of the year is one of my favourites. The Arun Crossings is just that - several crossings of the River Arun - linked together by quiet lanes and sometimes challenging bridle ways. Although there are only so many places to cross the river, thanks to Colin we have a different route every year.

This year he led us north from the station, over the railway and then onto an old sunken track that climbed a sandy ridge and led us down to the old bridge at Stopham.

Click here for a 2 minute video

From here we climbed along the western side of the river, through Stopham, up and up and eventually out onto the road at Bedham Hill. 

Turning right onto a bridle way we plunged down the valley side and made our second crossing, shortly followed by a bridge over the canal (empty at this point). On reaching Toat Lane, Colin took a gamble that there was a route through to the northeast but we reached the end of the lane there was no route for us to use (my MAPS.ME app on my phone confirmed this), so we headed back and then took Pickhurst and Blackhurst lanes before using the bridleway north for our third crossing. We were now only a mile or so from Wisborough Green but a hissing sound announced that I'd got a puncture!

After replacing the tube I caught up with everyone at The Old Mill Café where we had our tea break.

Colin now took us north up Durbans Road and then right onto a bridleway that took us over to Fishers Farm. From here we headed east then north before turning onto another bridleway.

This collection of sometimes muddy bridleways now spat us out by the sports club at Loxwood where we had a short downhill before stopping at the Onslow Arms for lunch.

Like many pubs, the sunday menu didn't have any sandwiches/lighter meals but I found a tasty starter and had a pint of cider to wash it down. The sun was out and with about a dozen of us sat around a large table next to the canal, we had a good chat about various things.

After lunch we headed off along the canal towpath to Drungewick - here's a shortish video of this very pleasant part of the route:

Loxwood to Drungewick

Then a combination of lanes and bridleways took us over the river several more times as this video shows:

How many times did you see us cross the river (and canal)?

Downslink in a Weekend - Part two - Slinfold to Shoreham

Up early again, ride over to Horsham again, arrive at Horsham Pavilions in the Park early again!  Yes, I know, EARLY, AGAIN!! It didn't go unnoticed nor without comment - thanks folks.......

Norman was already there and we were soon joined by Pete E, Val and Malcolm. Nine thirty passed without anyone else arriving, so it was time to get going. As yesterday, we were heading for Slinfold but this time once we got to Broadbridge Heath, Pete led us along some quiet roads, through the underpass and then along some new cycle paths through the building development and back onto the road at Newbridge. Arriving at Slinfold we took the gate that was at the end of yesterday's video (and Norman was happy).

Once again, the surface of the Downslink was just right and the weather looked like it was going to be the same. We were enjoying the ride and had soon passed Christs Hospital and the Bax Castle before arriving at Southwater Country Park and having a quick comfort break. Next it was under the A24 and through Copsale out into the country.

Partridge Green was next and we noticed a new cafe just south of the village as the route leaves the main road opposite the Lock Estate. We were travelling at a fairly brisk pace but needed a bit of a break when we reached Henfield. I had the urge to eat a Mars bar and conveniently there's a convenience store on the road just opposite the Cat and Canary.

In spite of our progress, we were running slightly behind time and the drag away from the line of the old railway seemed to take forever. My camera battery gave up on the rough stone track just after that - it always seems to run out just there. So I still haven't got any footage of my death defying style down that hill on the stones!

Now we just had to get through Bramber and cross the Shoreham Road - doh! We were stuck there for ages as there seemed to be an endless steam of traffic in both directions. The stretch along the riverbank was very pleasant and easier than last time as the vegetation has been cut back. It wasn't long after that we pulled up at the Red Lion for lunch.

The pub was packed but amazingly, just as we were looking for somewhere to sit, an entire bench became free and we settled down to eat, drink and watch the Airshow. As it happens, that was just the time that all the flying stopped for lunch! However, we can always keep ourselves entertained and we had a good hour of chatting before the ear-shattering sound of a Eurofighter announced the air displays were restarting. As last year, the Eurofighter (also known as Typhoon) was my favourite, but I also enjoyed the two historic trios of WWII RAF planes that followed -  firstly the Gloster Gladiator / Spitfire / Hurricane: 

and then the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire / Hurricane / Lancaster):

We remounted and headed back north with the bright sunshine on our backs. Stopping every now and again for a breather, we didn't seem to be making very good progress - I think the wind was slightly in our faces. When we got to Partridge Green we stopped at the new cafe. It's called Stans Bike Shack Cafe and we would recommend it highly - good coffee, great cakes and reasonably priced. I noticed a track pump available for use and there was also a work stand there suggesting that a bike mechanic was available.

We carried on but I was now running late and had to meet up with my wife in Horsham so I said goodbye to everyone at Christs Hospital and raced off.

Meantime, Val was feeling the pace a bit and whilst stopping for a breather realised she had a puncture as well. Norman fixed the puncture and eventually everyone made it back to Horsham.

Our next ride is the final DA Event of the year, the Arun Crossings.  it will start from Pulborough railway station at 09:30 hrs. Lunch will be at the Onslow Arms in Loxwood. I would recommend using a mountain bike or at the very least a strong touring bike for this event.

Downslink in a Weekend - Part one - Allez Guildford

A Saturday ride - would anyone turn up?

The answer is yes, for I was joined at Horsham Pavilions in the Park by Barbara, Corinne, Norman and Ken. Pete E even popped by to see us off, but would not be riding until tomorrow.

I decided that we would head for Slinfold, so we went over the Golf Course, through Broadbridge Heath and past Newbridge. Barbara was getting worried that we'd be going up the hill in Slinfold but no, we turned onto the Downslink just beforehand. 

The weather was improving as the cloud burned off and the surface of the track was good so a nice days riding was in prospect. 

Before long we reached the double bridge and we stopped there for a breather and a spot of sightseeing. A couple of other cyclists were also there and we all had a pleasant chat standing in the sunshine. Before long, the two minute break I'd intended had become 15 minutes!! Time to get going again - especially as Michael would be meeting us somewhere near Rudgwick. 

We crossed the A281 and proceeded through Rudgwick but I could see no sign of Michael. Then he replied to the text I'd sent to tell me he was at Baynards, just north of us. A couple of minutes later, on the climb past the tunnel, we met up with him as well as son Eric and wife Christine. The climb up the ridge (the tunnel diversion) was harder than I remembered it but I enjoyed the fast run through the woods on the other side. Unfortunately Barbara had a minor off there and decided to hit the road and head back to Horsham. The rest of us headed on, back onto the Downslink (avoiding the flooded stretch near Baynards) and soon arrived at Cranleigh. Christine left us here - the call of the coffee shop on the High Street was too great. 

The next few miles were covered as we chatted about the new Icelandic volcanic eruption - Norman is waiting for a call to say "Come and view me". He's been to Iceland before an eruption and after an eruption but not during. At Bramley we paused for a few minutes (comfort break) before carrying on and then, after crossing the A281, finally leaving the route of the railway just before it merged with some still existing railways. The official Downslink had headed off to the north east and St Martha's Hill where it meets up with the north Downs Way. We were now on  part of the national Cycle Network route to Guildford. it took us alongside the A281 on and off for the next few miles before finally putting us on the tarmac for the last few hundred yards into the centre of Guildford where we crossed over the old bridge and pulled up at the White House pub for lunch.

Lunch was enjoyed sitting outside on the terrace but I have to report that we lost another one of our riders here - Corinne had seen a Duck she fancied and because she couldn't carry it on her bike had decided to head home by train. I believe she named the duck "Gillie" and I should point out that he wasn't a real duck!! Gillie is a sand filled leather duck shaped doorstop.

For the return trip, we decided to use the towpath to exit Guildford. The towpath is a "permissive" path which means cyclists are allowed but don't necessarily have a right. So, we rode along it taking our usual high standard of care. It presented a couple of minor challenges - a landslip and some building works but was very enjoyable to use. Here's a video of pretty much the entire route back from Guildford to Slinfold (I speeded it up but it's still 23 minutes long):

Just before Rudgwick we stopped off at a new cafe that's opened in the old Rudgwick brickworks. There's also a brewery there, so Norman and Eric were in their element. The rest of us enjoyed refreshments in the cafe (where we met up with Christine once more). 

That left just three of us - Ken, Norman and myself to say goodbye to Michael, Christine and Eric at Rudgwick and then have an uneventful ride back to Slinfold. From there it was but a few minutes back to Horsham where Norman peeled off as Ken and I headed to Roffey. Here, we parted - Ken prefers to use the A264 back to Crawley whereas I'm much more comfortable using the Forest Road.

Tomorrow we'll do the southern part of the Downslink - I think we'll have to start from Slinfold again as Norman has been making noises about us missing out the middle if we start from Copsale and he might have to complain to the committee! (tongue in cheek).

Chiddingstone Castle

Frank led us on a pleasant 20 mile route to Chiddingstone today. The snack van at Three Bridges was doing good business this morning as several of us arrived early and partook of some refreshment. The weather was looking quite good, cloudy but no hint of rain and blue bits poking through. Norman, Anton, Michael, Corinne, Malcolm, Frank, Pat and myself headed east and met Val by the Felbridge Hotel roundabout. We headed along the busy A264 then over to Lingfield and on to Edenbridge where we stopped for a coffee break:

So far we'd only had one hill to climb, near Haxted Mill (which is up for sale) but now we were on some smaller lanes there were a couple more. The lanes were very pleasant and the sun was shining, what more could we want? A beer! Bang on cue, the pub swam around the corner and we dismounted and locked our bikes. We needn't have rushed - the pub wasn't open for another 15 minutes. Not to worry, we could take a short walk through the grounds of Chiddingstone Castle:

Frank, Pat, Corinne and Michael decided to have their lunch at the cafe and the rest of us headed back to the pub. We settled down in a sunny corner of the back garden and enjoyed a nice hour of eating, drinking and chatting.

Eventually it was time to head for home and we retraced our outward route but with the addition of my doing some hands free cycling (well I was concentrating on taking a selfie!!).

Next weekend sees a ride on both Saturday and Sunday as we tackle the whole of The Downs Link: on Saturday we have a 9:30 start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park before going across to the Downs Link and riding the northern section up to Guildford and back. Then on Sunday another 9:30 start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park and we hit the southern section of the Downs Link - we'll ride down to Shoreham and then spend a couple of hours over lunch whilst we watch the aerial displays for Shoreham Airshow. Mountain bikes or strong touring bikes are recommended for both days.