The second group (comprising of myself (Bob), John V, Pete and Marian) pressed on through Benenden and encountered some ice but none going across the road on a downhill bend, so we were beginning to realise that we were probably on a different route to the first group (comprised of Pete E, Mick, John C, Barbara and Norman). Reaching Hartley we turned south for about a mile before heading west once more along a quiet lane and on into Bedgebury Forest. Although part of the National Cycle Network, the route was actually an offroad route and accordingly I was going just that bit quicker than the rest of the group so pulled up by the lake in the Pinetum to wait for them and take some pictures. Now I’d stopped, I could feel how cold the wind was – in spite of the sunshine. Whilst waiting I phoned Mick to find out how far ahead of us he was. “Just about to enter the forest” he said, “Can you wait there?”. I suggested we’d be better (as in warmer) waiting at The Visitor Centre at Bewl Water as it was only a couple of miles away and held the promise of a café (unlike Bedgebury Forest). Mick agreed and at that point the rest of my group arrived.
We cycled on and duly pulled up at Bewl Water Visitor Centre only to find that it was closed for refurbishment! At this point Pete E phoned to say that their group had taken a wrong turning back at Rolvenden and done an unnecessary four mile loop (during which time my group had unknowingly gone past them) and had also missed the turn for Bedgebury Forest and ended up in Hawkhurst. At this point, Mick, Barbara and Norman had decided to complete the journey by train and headed off to Staplehurst. This left Pete E and John C to ponder the best route to take for a rendezvous with my group. As we set off we realized that we could quite quickly intercept them at Wadhurst and that we could make that the lunch stop rather than the planned Bells Yew Green. We left voicemail messages on their phones and pulled up at The Greyhound in Wadhurst. We hadn’t been there too long (only about half a pint) before Pete and John arrived. It was good to be just one group again and we celebrated with childrens portions of good hot food (sausages and mash or liver and bacon) and another round of beers.
After lunch, the first few miles were on a B road and we made good progress, as we did on the following two quiet lanes that took us on to Groombridge. Here we crossed the Tunbridge Wells to Eridge preserved steam railway – The Spa Valley Railway and posed for a group photograph:
After Groombridge we picked up the Forest Way and followed it past Hartfield before pulling up at the Café in Forest Row. The Café is located in the old Coal Merchants Office next to the amenity tip and serves an excellent range of hot drinks and snacks. I opted for fruit cake and a cup of tea. From Forest Row there’s the slight incline all the way to East Grinstead and then the easy riding to Crawley Down.
As you can see it was still very sunny but it definitely wasn’t warm. Minutes later we’d passed Rowfant and were crossing the M23 to enter Crawley through Worth. Here we said goodbye to first the two Johns, then Pete and Marian before I finally turned off to use the tunnel into Furnace Green leaving Pete E by himself for the last few hundred yards to Three Bridges Station where he was being picked up by Sharon.
I had a very enjoyable weekend riding with friends and I’d like to say a big thankyou to everyone for making it so much fun.
Looking at my speedo I can see that I covered some 56 miles on Saturday and another 48 on Sunday – that’s the sort of mileage that Anton has for breakfast, but thereagain, he is IRONMAN!
Next weeks ride is, coincidentally, led by Anton and will be a 40 miler starting from Three Bridges Station at 09:00 hrs with a lunch stop at The Sloop, Scaynes Hill. Anton promises it won’t be wet. Watch this space…….
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