The Sloop (it will not rain)

Anton’s assertion that it would remain dry seemed an accurate prediction as we gathered at Three Bridges railway station – if you can call a trio a “gathering”!
Blue skies with the occasional small, white, fluffy cloud scudding down from the north west meant it was warm(!) in sheltered locations but still cold when exposed to the wind. We waited around in case anyone else turned up but no-one did and we set off at about 09:15.
The first part was the same as usual when leaving Crawley to the east – up Worth Avenue and out on the Turners Hill Road. Those terrible pot holes are still there, just past Keepers Cottage. In fact they’re not really pot holes, more like pot trenches! Arriving at the crossroads in Turners Hill, Anton took us right and down hill (hooray!) before the little climb (booooo!) past what was formerly the Punchbowl Inn but is now an Indian Restaurant. Forking left onto the west Hoathly Road he then played a masterstroke by turning left again onto the road to Kingscote. In this direction this quiet lane is almost all downhill and affords a view of the Bluebell Railway’s Kingscote Station that could be set back in the 1930’s (or even earlier). Rejoining the much busier road from Turners Hill it was just a short climb (booo again) before turning right for Saint Hill Green.

Continuing to the right we were soon on the descent to the tail end of Weirwood Reservoir, extensive views of which were flashing between the trees on my left as I swooped down the road carefully avoiding all the pot holes and the car coming up the hill on the wrong side of the road…..
At the bottom I waited for the other two and could hear their progress by listening to the pot hole warning shouts Anton was giving out. Ignoring Legsheath Lane on the left, Anton now took us uphill again but making the fair point that Legsheath Lane was actually steeper (though more sheltered from the sun) than Grinstead Lane. At the top a quick right/left took us onto Chilling Lane which, along with the following Balcombe Lane provides a superb slightly downhill run with magnificent views over the Weald to the South Downs beyond. Running in front of the others and doing some 30+ mph, I was impressed with a tractor driver ahead who not only spotted me early but also pulled his tractor over so that I could go past!

Turning left a steep and narrow Birch Grove Lane took us down to a crystal clear ford before heading up through a damp and muddy patch of forest where the road surface was something like 75% pot holes! As we negotiated this very narrow and awkward climb a rather impatient 4x4 driver squeezed past Anton and myself but had to wait for about 50 yards behind Pete. Then, taking the acute left turn into Twyford Lane he shouted something rude at Anton and myself! We think he was suggesting that we should have got off the road to allow him to pass and save about 30 seconds on his journey time. Had I had the opportunity to debate this issue with him, I would have pointed out that both sides of the road was just boggy ground and that technically, as bikes are not allowed offroad anywhere in Ashdown Forest, we would have been breaking the law had we left the tarmac!

Bearing slightly left the lane continued uphill, still in need of extensive repairs and affording a Honda Jazz driver the opportunity to squeeze a quart into a pint pot by using the “door mirror a hairs breadth from our handlebars” technique. Boosted by a very robust shout from Anton, this master driver fair shot out onto Birch Grove Road at the top of the hill!
Shortly after, we crossed the A276 and headed south east through Chelwood Gate and onward to the A22 at Nutley.

Turning right, a quick blast down this A-road and then second right onto a lane that’s new to me and proved an absolute revelation – I’d rate it up there with Weare Street. Generally downhill (living up to its name of Down Street) it’s quiet, picturesque and really pleasant riding. Then we turned right along another quiet lane to emerge just north of Fletching at Splaynes Green. From here Anton reckoned it was downhill all the way to the Sheffield Arms crossroad – but he was wrong – I counted at least two uphills on this short stretch! As we were not that far from the lunch stop and it was only just eleven o’clock, Anton was considering adding an extra loop to get the timing right but as we arrived at the Freshfield Road/Ketches Lane crossroads fate intervened in that he noticed that I had a rear puncture – it was a slow one so we decided to head straight to the pub and mend it there. One mile later we arrived at the Sloop – as promised everything was nice and dry – No Rain!! However ……. There was also ..... No Pub!!! Well, physically it was there, but it was closed for refurbishment. Drat and double drat! Still, there was a sheltered and sunny spot with a bench that was just perfect to sit and relax on whilst I mended my puncture.

The landlord came past and confirmed the pub was shut but offered us a lager if we wanted one. In spite of the fact he was carrying a chainsaw, we turned him down and decided to head for Horsted Keynes and the Green Man. As we headed back up the hill towards Freshfield Crossways, who should we spy but John C heading to rendezvous with us at the pub. So, by the time we got to the Green man there were four of us – just enough to occupy the same two leather sofas we’d occupied just the other week.

The beer was excellent again (still can’t remember the name though) and the sausage bagette I had for lunch was hugely enjoyable as well. But, due to a combination of later engagements, none of us could risk a second pint. We opted for a fairly direct route home and Anton lead us west along Keysford Lane and then Stonecross Lane to emerge onto the B2028 and head north up(!) to Ardingly. Here I was expecting him to leave us and head toward Lindfield and home but instead he lead us on, into the wind and up the B2028 as far as Selsfield Common – this was kind of him as I managed to slipstream him for all but the last half mile of this leg. I would have taken my turn at the front except that I didn’t have the legs to stay with him, let alone go past and give him a windbreak! We waited for Pete and John and then parted – Anton back towards Ardingly, the rest of us on to Turners Hill and then back to Crawley. Pete and I then used the Worth Way and noticed how many family groups of cyclists there were on it (good) and John, on his Titanium bike stuck to the road route home.

Getting in before three o’clock I decided to give my bike a quick once over and noticed that it’s in need of a really good clean and a major service – I need a new headset, the brake/gear cables could do with replacement, as could the handgrips and a new chain wouldn’t go amiss either. So I think a complete dismantle is on the cards – I’d better bring my old commuter bike up to scratch as a temporary replacement…...

Next weeks ride is a 35 mile medium rated ride led by Mick. It will start from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 09:30 hrs and lunch will be at The Wheatsheaf in Plummers Plain. If the weather is as good as it was today, I think it will be a very enjoyable run – go on, come along for a ride.