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.

Reigate

Nice ride today - Ros led eight of us through Northgate and Gatwick to Horley. Then up Horse Hill to Leigh and across to Reigate where we had lunch at Morrisons. We used some lanes we've used before but also a couple of new ones. As we headed back the weather looked to be breaking and so most of us headed straight back to Crawley.

The Fountain at Ashurst

Anton led 10 of us on a delightful ride south of Horsham, down to Ashingon and then up to Ashurst.

Some of you may recognise the pub - The Fountain at Ashurst.

Remember this:    http://youtu.be/V9BZDpni56Y ?

Redhill Aerodrome

The second Sunday of the month is the day we have our Beginners Rides. We don't have an absolutely predefined route laid down because we tailor the ride to whoever turns up (how dynamic is that?).


The weather was still cold but not brutally so and there was no ice or dampness about. The mainly blue sky was encouraging as was the lack of any strong wind, so I wasn't surprised to find that there were ten cyclists waiting at the start when I arrived. A warm welcome to Debbie who turned out to ride with us for the first time and hello everyone else: Gordon, Jacqui, Frank, Eric, Seb, Jenny, Norman, John V and Malcolm.


A quick chat and Gordon decided to lead us out on the Worth Way then head down Old Hollow and into Copthorne. The Worth Way was pretty good and fairly dry but full of horses - well relatively so in that we saw / met up with six of them! Everyone was in good spirits, due no doubt to the mainly clear sky, and we were soon going over the traffic light controlled crossroads. Taking the next left, we were back on quiet lanes again and were riding in groups all having a good chat - we're definitely a sociable group. At Smallfield we headed west, crossed the motorway and then turned north onto Hathersham Lane. The linear "trench" pothole on this lane seems to be getting deeper and I would warn any cyclist using the lane to be very careful.


I'd told the lead riders that we would take the second road on the right but wished I'd opted for the first right instead.  The second right was Picketts Lane - I'd forgotten about the hill it contains!


Having regrouped at the top, we carried on, over Axes Lane, past the famous hidden house ( see http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/honeycrock-farm-hidden-house-appeal-8056972   ) and then turned right onto Kings Mill Lane which affords views of the Old Crawley Clock which currently languishes in a farmyard not far from East Surrey Hospital as opposed to its rightful place in Crawley town centre:
 


Pulling up at the aerodrome, we piled into the Chef on the Road café and ordered our refreshments. Some of us sat inside to warm up, some of us sat outside to avoid overheating!!


There wasn't much activity going on - probably about 30-40 customers in the café, one light aircraft taking off, one helicopter taking off and a few seagulls lazily flapping around. But it was pleasant enough sitting in the wintry sunshine discussing the pros and cons of an extra runway at Gatwick......


For the route back we just headed back towards Masons Bridge Road where, as we waited to join it, Norman managed to miss his footing and fall on Seb, knocking him into a street sign. A quick check, everyone was OK and off we set once more. At the bottom of Picketts Lane we took the NCN21 route along the badly potholed lane into Horley. We all used the subway, carefully dismounting to do so, and made our way through the town centre and onwards to Gatwick Airport. After negotiating a couple of the backroads in the industrial estate and passing through the tunnel into Northgate, we said goodbye to Debbie as she headed home to Three Bridges and the rest of us headed into Crawley Town Centre. Gordon then lead us up the High Street, up Brighton Road and Halfway up Pease Pottage Hill before crossing over and entering Broadfield through a gap in the fence. A couple of minutes later we pulled up at Gordon and Jacqui's House where we enjoyed some delicious food and hammered out the runslist for Q2.


Our next ride is on Sunday 15th February and starts from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 10:00hrs. Anton will be leading us on a 31 mile loop to the south of Horsham with a lunch stop at either The fountain in Ashurst or The Partridge at Partridge Green. We expect to arrive back in Horsham some time in mid afternoon - probably 15:00 -15:30.

The Foresters Arms, Kirdford

Well, that worked. When I first looked out of the window there was a thin layer of snow hanging around on the shed roof and part of the lawn but by the time I'd breakfasted and completed my ablutions, all sign of snow, slush or ice had gone. There was a bitter wind from the north but the sun was manfully trying to break through and accentuate the blue bits of sky. With five layers on my upper body, a woolly hat under my helmet and two or three layers everywhere else I was feeling quite toasty as I rode up Pease Pottage Hill and headed out along the Forest Road. A couple of roadies were just in front of me going a bit slower than I wanted but I didn't overtake them as I didn't want a race on my hands. Fortunately they turned right at Colgate so I could then get up to the pace I wanted. As I arrived at Horsham Park Pavilions I spotted Norman and Anton in the car park, then Pate E and Ken in the bike park. We were then joined by Malcolm who must have been riding just behind me along the Forest Road. So six blokes out today, all fairly experienced and as the weather was still bright but cold I decided we would do the full route I'd planned.

We left Horsham via the golf course and headed west via Rowhook Hill, Ellen's Green and Cox Green. After Baynards the lane went up and then we turned right and were overtaken by a car as we were doing the turn!!  The next left took us along a quiet lane which suddenly had parked cars along both sides - Cranleigh Rugby Club would appear to have a lot of members but very few parking places. On reaching the A281 we turned left and followed it down to Alfold Crossways - here we were overtaken on the left by a right-turning Range Rover! Quality driving, not. 

From here we headed over to Dunsfold and then turned south, putting the wind behind our backs. Pete was leading us at a fair old pace now although Norman hit the front as we passed through Plaistow. Just a few miles later we were pulling up at the lunch stop, The Foresters Arms at Kirdford. We were the first people in and picked a couple of tables in the public bar where a large fireplace had a newly lit fire burning in the grate. The pub had a really good range of food on offer and three bitters on tap. Most of the chat today was about the changes we are making to the clubs online presence. Our old website has been the subject to numerous complaints in recent times due to the intrusive advertising it pushes out, so we are in the process of moving it across to be hosted on the main CTC website. In addition we are trying out running a Meetup site as a possible way of attracting more riders. Please use both of them and give us some feedback to help us further improve things.

As we were leaving the pub, so we met Richard Boulton and several other Arun/Adur colleagues. A quick chat and a photocall and we'd swapped place - they were in the warmth of the pub, we were in the cold, riding our bikes.

I wanted to get us home as quick as possible so I decided we would head for Wisborough Green and then use the A272 to and through Billingshurst. Next we headed up to New Road, then through Barns Green to Bax Castle and up to Tower Hill. Exactly as per the Runslist, we'd had a round trip off exactly 35 miles anand we said goodbye to the Horsham crew, Pete and Norman, then Anton in the car park and that just left Ken, Malcom and myself to run a chain gang back to Crawley. I eventually got home at about 15:15 and took a much needed warm shower to thaw myself out.

Next weeks ride is an easy ride aimed at beginners and will start from Three Bridges Station at 10:00hrs for a two hour loop led by Gordon.

At 13:00hrs, members can convene at Gordon's house for the Q2 Runs List Meeting - come along with idea/suggestions/opinions and we can create a set of rides for April, May and June that we all will enjoy.