Ros led us on a very nice ride through Forest Row and up onto Ashdown Forest and Nuthurst for lunch at Fletching. Great views, great weather, great company.
Showing posts with label Worth Way. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Worth Way. Show all posts
Sunday, 27 September 2015
East Sussex Mystery Ride
A quick thrash along The Worth Way to East Grinstead for Ken, Malcolm and Bob before meeting up with Ros, Pete, Rachel, Paul, Annie and Denis.
Ros led us on a very nice ride through Forest Row and up onto Ashdown Forest and Nuthurst for lunch at Fletching. Great views, great weather, great company.
Ros led us on a very nice ride through Forest Row and up onto Ashdown Forest and Nuthurst for lunch at Fletching. Great views, great weather, great company.
Sunday, 12 July 2015
Beginners Ride - Tracks and trails
Second Sunday of the month, Beginners Ride, good turnout.
In spite (or because?) of the ride being advertised as "Tracks and Trails" there were eight of us milling around at Three Bridges Station waiting for Gordon to lead us away. Gordon, Jacqui, Corinne, Anne, Christine, Michael, Kevin and myself. Once everyone was happy that they were on the right bike and that their saddle was correctly adjusted, we set off.
Firstly we used the Worth Way, encountering a couple of large horses on the way. Gordon worked us over to Worth Abbey and then we took the bridleway past Whiteways Lodge before crossing the Balcombe Road and blasting down through the woods to the railway bridge and the end of Parish Lane. Here we turned right into Tilgate Forest and enjoyed some lumpy singletrack whilst reminiscing about Gordon's pile-driver crash the other year! Crossing over the M23, we sped down through the golf course before crossing a couple of fairways and reaching the clubhouse. From here we ran up to and along the dam before heading west almost to K2.
Now Gordon lead us into the woods again and we enjoyed some singletrack all the way up to the M23 which we crossed on the second bridge. More singletrack and firetrack fun ensued before we emerged on Parish Lane. We headed east on the tarmac for a short while before heading south then west through a couple of large fields and into some woodland around the back fence of Billy Bridges scrapyard.
Next we crossed the A23 on the bridge and headed into Pease Pottage. From here it was but a short ride to Gordon and Jacqui's for lunch.
Having drunk all their champagne and ate all their food, everyone headed off home. I led Anne, Corinne and Kevin back into Tilgate Forest to enjoy some more singletrack before stopping at the mansion for a breather. Corinne headed off home from here, leaving the rest of us to head back across the dam and past the clubhouse into Furnace Green.
Back home, I'd only clocked up 15 miles but I'd enjoyed them all.
Our next ride is a big one (if you want it to be). It's the Horsham 100 and starts from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 07:00hrs. There will be a tea-stop at 09:30 in the Old Barn Garden Centre at Dial Post just off the A24. Lunch will be 12:30 at The Conservatory Café in Horsham Park. Afternoon tea will be 16:00hrs at Capel church. with a target finish sometime near 19:00hrs back at Horsham.
If you don't want to do 100 miles, why not just do the morning or afternoon loop? Alternatively, why not ride a direct route to/from one of the tea stops. I believe a couple of folk are planning on driving to the Old Barn, riding back to Horsham (then driving back to the Old Barn to pick up the first car).
Who knows, the weather might actually be good on Sunday!!
In spite (or because?) of the ride being advertised as "Tracks and Trails" there were eight of us milling around at Three Bridges Station waiting for Gordon to lead us away. Gordon, Jacqui, Corinne, Anne, Christine, Michael, Kevin and myself. Once everyone was happy that they were on the right bike and that their saddle was correctly adjusted, we set off.
Firstly we used the Worth Way, encountering a couple of large horses on the way. Gordon worked us over to Worth Abbey and then we took the bridleway past Whiteways Lodge before crossing the Balcombe Road and blasting down through the woods to the railway bridge and the end of Parish Lane. Here we turned right into Tilgate Forest and enjoyed some lumpy singletrack whilst reminiscing about Gordon's pile-driver crash the other year! Crossing over the M23, we sped down through the golf course before crossing a couple of fairways and reaching the clubhouse. From here we ran up to and along the dam before heading west almost to K2.
Now Gordon lead us into the woods again and we enjoyed some singletrack all the way up to the M23 which we crossed on the second bridge. More singletrack and firetrack fun ensued before we emerged on Parish Lane. We headed east on the tarmac for a short while before heading south then west through a couple of large fields and into some woodland around the back fence of Billy Bridges scrapyard.
Next we crossed the A23 on the bridge and headed into Pease Pottage. From here it was but a short ride to Gordon and Jacqui's for lunch.
Having drunk all their champagne and ate all their food, everyone headed off home. I led Anne, Corinne and Kevin back into Tilgate Forest to enjoy some more singletrack before stopping at the mansion for a breather. Corinne headed off home from here, leaving the rest of us to head back across the dam and past the clubhouse into Furnace Green.
Back home, I'd only clocked up 15 miles but I'd enjoyed them all.
Our next ride is a big one (if you want it to be). It's the Horsham 100 and starts from Horsham Pavilions in the Park at 07:00hrs. There will be a tea-stop at 09:30 in the Old Barn Garden Centre at Dial Post just off the A24. Lunch will be 12:30 at The Conservatory Café in Horsham Park. Afternoon tea will be 16:00hrs at Capel church. with a target finish sometime near 19:00hrs back at Horsham.
If you don't want to do 100 miles, why not just do the morning or afternoon loop? Alternatively, why not ride a direct route to/from one of the tea stops. I believe a couple of folk are planning on driving to the Old Barn, riding back to Horsham (then driving back to the Old Barn to pick up the first car).
Who knows, the weather might actually be good on Sunday!!
Saturday, 20 June 2015
Crawley Family Bike Ride
As ride leader I was pretty nervous about this event - an unknown number of riders with an unknown range of cycling abilities and an unknown number of helpers to marshal it. I'd tried to think of the potential problems and how I was going to deal with them but in spite of the preparation, I was still worried as we gathered outside Oriel School. However, the weather conspired against a large turnout by raining at just the right time to discourage potential riders. One thing I hadn't planned for was that one of the cyclists was on a very low-slung hand-cycle, but after a few minutes thought and discussion with him, we'd identified the potential hazard points and had a plan to deal with them.
The numbers slowly built up to 21 until it was time to go. I gave a quick introduction and description of the route, Gordon kindly did the safety briefing and then it was time for a group photo before we headed off through Maidenbower and up to The Worth Way. With the best part of fifty years age difference in the group, I took it nice and steady with frequent stops to regroup and point out things of interest. I had plenty of experienced riders to help marshal us and keep us safe - we even tried a little bit of bicycle maintenance at times as we tried to cure a squeaky disc brake on one of the bikes.
The rain had given up before we set off and the route was really quite dry, so we made steady progress with the marshals doing a good job at the few road crossings we had to negotiate. On the roads of Crawley Down we kept together fairly well and after a breather by the pond, we all carried on towards East Grinstead.
I was hoping we would arrive in time to see a steam engine run in over the viaduct but we just missed it and only the first few riders managed to see the loco whilst it was in the station. We parked the bikes in the car park where the old High-level railway station was and then walked down, past the modern station and on to the Bluebell Railway Station. Here most of the riders enjoyed refreshments in the café located in an old railway carriage. There was plenty of happy conversation and enthusiasm amongst the riders. Thanks must go to Malcolm and Anton for staying with the bikes and ensuring they would be safely there for our return trip.
Heading back from East Grinstead meant that the route was slightly downhill and everyone was enjoying themselves and travelling at a pretty good pace. We were in several small groups, each of which was chatting as they rode along and all was right with the world.
Then we had the only incident of the day as an experienced rider (no names) managed a slowmotion fall. A quick check revealed no injury - not even a scratch or bruise and it certainly amused the rest of us!
Arriving back at Oriel School I accounted for everybody and wished them all a safe journey home before heading home myself to a nice relaxing cup of tea and slice of cake.
The rain had given up before we set off and the route was really quite dry, so we made steady progress with the marshals doing a good job at the few road crossings we had to negotiate. On the roads of Crawley Down we kept together fairly well and after a breather by the pond, we all carried on towards East Grinstead.
I was hoping we would arrive in time to see a steam engine run in over the viaduct but we just missed it and only the first few riders managed to see the loco whilst it was in the station. We parked the bikes in the car park where the old High-level railway station was and then walked down, past the modern station and on to the Bluebell Railway Station. Here most of the riders enjoyed refreshments in the café located in an old railway carriage. There was plenty of happy conversation and enthusiasm amongst the riders. Thanks must go to Malcolm and Anton for staying with the bikes and ensuring they would be safely there for our return trip.
Heading back from East Grinstead meant that the route was slightly downhill and everyone was enjoying themselves and travelling at a pretty good pace. We were in several small groups, each of which was chatting as they rode along and all was right with the world.
Then we had the only incident of the day as an experienced rider (no names) managed a slowmotion fall. A quick check revealed no injury - not even a scratch or bruise and it certainly amused the rest of us!
Arriving back at Oriel School I accounted for everybody and wished them all a safe journey home before heading home myself to a nice relaxing cup of tea and slice of cake.
Sunday, 24 May 2015
Chiddingstone Castle
Worth way to East Grinstead.
Coffee at Ros's.
A very enjoyable route on some lovely lanes.
A smashing lunch at Chiddingstone.
A pleasant return ride.
Coffee at Ros's.
A very enjoyable route on some lovely lanes.
A smashing lunch at Chiddingstone.
A pleasant return ride.
Sunday, 10 May 2015
Beginners Ride
This month I decided to use the Beginners Ride as a run-through for the Family Bike Ride along the Worth Way that we are running as part of National Bike Week in June. Seventeen riders turned up at the start although one was on foot and just wishing us well, two were on close tolerance road bikes and didn't want to risk the Worth Way, and two others popped home and came back on their offroad bikes.
Firstly I took us to Oriel School to determine how best to negotiate the roads/roundabout there and then we made our way up through the woods to join the Worth Way at the Bower. It was all working well and we'd soon negotiated Church Road, passed Worth Church and crossed over the M23. A quick regroup at the farm and we carried on through the woods, heavy with the scent of bluebells, until we came to the road crossing by Keepers Cottage. Here a couple of members marshalled us safely across and then it was on past Rowfant and along the long straight to Crawley Down. This is the next potentially awkward bit but once again my fellow club members kept us together and on the right route.
We stopped by the pond for a breather and to check out it's suitability as a rest point, before carrying on and engaging the slight climb that the rest of the rout does up to East Grinstead. Here we all walked over the footbridge and down to the Bluebell Railway cafe. It's only a small light refreshments operation but coped very well with our numbers and we think will be able to cope (when combined with the Costa Cafe over the road) with the family bike ride - especially as we intend getting everyone to leave their bikes in the top carpark and we will provide a couple of bods to look after them there.
After enjoying our refreshments, a chat and the sights, sounds and smell of a steam engine arriving and departing, we headed back whence we came. The journey back was enjoyable (and slightly easier because it's slightly downhill) although Javier had a puncture just after the farm. Pete and Marian helped sort it out and, having all regrouped by Worth Church, we started to head off home in our various directions.
The group I was with headed back past Oriel School and then up through Tilgate Park over the golf course and along a great woodland track to the top of Pease Pottage Hill. From here it was just a short ride to Gordon and Jacqui's for lunch and the Runslist Meeting.
The draft Q3 runslist has just been emailed to members. Once I've dealt with the responses and finalised it, it will republished on our website.
Next weeks ride is a Horsham Park Pavilions start at 09:00 hrs. Mick has prepared a lovely ride called The Three Counties Ride. It's only 35 miles and I believe is rated as Medium (although Mick tells me that he can add a 22 mile Hard option for the afternoon if you really want!! Lunch will be at the Strawberry Fields Cafe on the Old Horsham Road near Roffey.
Firstly I took us to Oriel School to determine how best to negotiate the roads/roundabout there and then we made our way up through the woods to join the Worth Way at the Bower. It was all working well and we'd soon negotiated Church Road, passed Worth Church and crossed over the M23. A quick regroup at the farm and we carried on through the woods, heavy with the scent of bluebells, until we came to the road crossing by Keepers Cottage. Here a couple of members marshalled us safely across and then it was on past Rowfant and along the long straight to Crawley Down. This is the next potentially awkward bit but once again my fellow club members kept us together and on the right route.
We stopped by the pond for a breather and to check out it's suitability as a rest point, before carrying on and engaging the slight climb that the rest of the rout does up to East Grinstead. Here we all walked over the footbridge and down to the Bluebell Railway cafe. It's only a small light refreshments operation but coped very well with our numbers and we think will be able to cope (when combined with the Costa Cafe over the road) with the family bike ride - especially as we intend getting everyone to leave their bikes in the top carpark and we will provide a couple of bods to look after them there.
After enjoying our refreshments, a chat and the sights, sounds and smell of a steam engine arriving and departing, we headed back whence we came. The journey back was enjoyable (and slightly easier because it's slightly downhill) although Javier had a puncture just after the farm. Pete and Marian helped sort it out and, having all regrouped by Worth Church, we started to head off home in our various directions.
The group I was with headed back past Oriel School and then up through Tilgate Park over the golf course and along a great woodland track to the top of Pease Pottage Hill. From here it was just a short ride to Gordon and Jacqui's for lunch and the Runslist Meeting.
The draft Q3 runslist has just been emailed to members. Once I've dealt with the responses and finalised it, it will republished on our website.
Next weeks ride is a Horsham Park Pavilions start at 09:00 hrs. Mick has prepared a lovely ride called The Three Counties Ride. It's only 35 miles and I believe is rated as Medium (although Mick tells me that he can add a 22 mile Hard option for the afternoon if you really want!! Lunch will be at the Strawberry Fields Cafe on the Old Horsham Road near Roffey.
Sunday, 8 February 2015
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 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.
Sunday, 18 January 2015
Muddy ride with Gordon
Want a complete cycling experience? Come out on one of Gordons Rides.
The day started with breakfast at Gordon and Jacqui's before an enjoyable warm up ride along Parish Lane and down through Tilgate Forest. Gordon, Ken and I did a bit of exploring through Furnace green and sued the northern tunnel under the railway - recently extended and refurbished with excellent lighting and a good smooth surface, this tunnel offers an excellent and (in some instances) shorter alternate link between NCN20 and NCN21. However, we were on our way to Three Bridges Station so we turned left onto Billington Drive and rode past a long stream of waiting traffic to arrive at the station for 10:00hrs. Here we were joined by Michael and Malcolm, then Mike, an acquaintance of mine.
Gordon led us back up Billington Drive and onto the Worth Way. Conditions were muddy but grip was good and I soon had a splattering of mud over me. Someone suggested that the Irish called the weather conditions "Soft" - an excellent description - the clouds were indistinguishable from each other and seemed to reach the ground without quite making things foggy, the vegetation looked somehow soft - even the branches and with big fat knobblies on my bike, the ride was pretty plush as well.
We were riding at an easy pace and I was having fun along the way, practicing hops, taking detours up banks. At Crawley Down we took the slope up to the B road and then used it up to Turners Hill. Never an easy hill, I realized that none of the cyclists waiting near the top had actually ridden the entire hill (all the way to the crossroads) - so I told them so, and claimed King of the Hill for myself!!
From Turners Hill we headed west along the ridge through Worth Abbey to Back Lane. Here Mick decided to head for home (via the Cowdray Arms I think), having assured me he knew where he was and how to get back to Crawley.
Meanwhile the rest of us enjoyed the long glide south and west before the short, sharp climb into Balcombe. Gordon had recce'd the route a few days earlier and was in the process of telling us about some ice he'd encountered when, as I shot down a tiny lane he'd led us to, I realised there was ice all the way across it!! Not a problem though, I didn't need to turn or lean or brake or accelerate and just floated uneventfully across it, shouting out a warning as I did so.
Other features of this lane were: (i) the smooth, new tarmac (ii) a conversation with some chickens and (iii) a couple of hills (granny gear for the use of).
A right turn onto a busier road took us up to Cuckfield where we headed West then north to Staplefield and a quick visit to The Victory. What a great pub - warm welcome, warm fire, good beer (we went for the Wilmington Brewery Long Man) and good food. Actually, the good food observation was based on previous visits, as today we were going to lunch at Gordons, so it was time to get back out in the cold.
From Staplefield we carried on west, under the revamped A23, to Slaugham and thence the bridleway up to Handcross. As we were starting to feel hungry, we took the shortest route back to Gordons where he and Jacqui treated us to a delicious lunch. An hour or so later, after some good discussions about life, the universe and the CTC, we all headed off home.
Next weeks ride starts from Horsham Park Pavilions at 10:00hrs and will be a fairly easy loop to the south of Horsham led by me - unless anyone else wants to volunteer? - with a lunch stop at The Bax Castle.
The day started with breakfast at Gordon and Jacqui's before an enjoyable warm up ride along Parish Lane and down through Tilgate Forest. Gordon, Ken and I did a bit of exploring through Furnace green and sued the northern tunnel under the railway - recently extended and refurbished with excellent lighting and a good smooth surface, this tunnel offers an excellent and (in some instances) shorter alternate link between NCN20 and NCN21. However, we were on our way to Three Bridges Station so we turned left onto Billington Drive and rode past a long stream of waiting traffic to arrive at the station for 10:00hrs. Here we were joined by Michael and Malcolm, then Mike, an acquaintance of mine.
Gordon led us back up Billington Drive and onto the Worth Way. Conditions were muddy but grip was good and I soon had a splattering of mud over me. Someone suggested that the Irish called the weather conditions "Soft" - an excellent description - the clouds were indistinguishable from each other and seemed to reach the ground without quite making things foggy, the vegetation looked somehow soft - even the branches and with big fat knobblies on my bike, the ride was pretty plush as well.
We were riding at an easy pace and I was having fun along the way, practicing hops, taking detours up banks. At Crawley Down we took the slope up to the B road and then used it up to Turners Hill. Never an easy hill, I realized that none of the cyclists waiting near the top had actually ridden the entire hill (all the way to the crossroads) - so I told them so, and claimed King of the Hill for myself!!
From Turners Hill we headed west along the ridge through Worth Abbey to Back Lane. Here Mick decided to head for home (via the Cowdray Arms I think), having assured me he knew where he was and how to get back to Crawley.
Meanwhile the rest of us enjoyed the long glide south and west before the short, sharp climb into Balcombe. Gordon had recce'd the route a few days earlier and was in the process of telling us about some ice he'd encountered when, as I shot down a tiny lane he'd led us to, I realised there was ice all the way across it!! Not a problem though, I didn't need to turn or lean or brake or accelerate and just floated uneventfully across it, shouting out a warning as I did so.
Other features of this lane were: (i) the smooth, new tarmac (ii) a conversation with some chickens and (iii) a couple of hills (granny gear for the use of).
A right turn onto a busier road took us up to Cuckfield where we headed West then north to Staplefield and a quick visit to The Victory. What a great pub - warm welcome, warm fire, good beer (we went for the Wilmington Brewery Long Man) and good food. Actually, the good food observation was based on previous visits, as today we were going to lunch at Gordons, so it was time to get back out in the cold.
From Staplefield we carried on west, under the revamped A23, to Slaugham and thence the bridleway up to Handcross. As we were starting to feel hungry, we took the shortest route back to Gordons where he and Jacqui treated us to a delicious lunch. An hour or so later, after some good discussions about life, the universe and the CTC, we all headed off home.
Next weeks ride starts from Horsham Park Pavilions at 10:00hrs and will be a fairly easy loop to the south of Horsham led by me - unless anyone else wants to volunteer? - with a lunch stop at The Bax Castle.
Sunday, 13 April 2014
Worth Way
Pete was unable to lead this months easy ride so I stepped in. I fancied putting the knobbly tyres on my bike and riding the Worth Way, so that's what we did.
The weather was nice and I ventured out in shorts for the first time this year. I was joined at Three Bridges station by John C, Val and Malcolm before we set off along Billington Way and onto the track. Spring had arrived and the Worth Way was lined with Bluebells, Wood Anemone, Celandine and lots of Blackthorn blossom.
The ride out to East Grinstead was really pleasant and it was good to see lots of families out on their bikes.
Here's a video of the ride through East Grinstead and out on the Forest Way:
We stopped to nip up to a viewpoint and look across to Weirwood reservoir, but now that apple trees have been planted in the field up there the view has gone. Once we got riding again, I took a little detour on some single track and then we all took another to view Brambletye House before carrying on into Forest Row.
As you can see, we headed through the back of Forest Row and past a gathering of car enthusiasts before pulling up at the Java and Jazz cafe.
After a pleasant lunch (chocolate milkshake and a toasted sandwich for me), we headed back.
It was a really nice ride, pleasant and completely uneventful.......
It was a really nice ride, pleasant and completely uneventful.......
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Freewheel 2014
It's April, time for the first DA Event of the year - the Freewheel.
This year we returned to the hill that was used back when I joined the CTC 10 years ago, New Road.
The morning dawned dull and wet, although I was feeling quite chipper as it was my birthday! I used my birthday as an excuse and sent a text to Anton taking him up on the offer of a lift that he had made me. Arriving at Horsham, we were met by Norman and Mick - although it has to be said, Norman was in civvies and not riding. As we stood around chatting, Ken rolled up and joined in the chatter. The weather seemed to be improving insofar as the rain looked to be stopping, so we didn't start riding until half past ten. I had a couple of routes in mind, but in the end we just did a small loop taking in Broadbridge Heath, Slinfold and The Haven before cutting across from Rowner Road going up New Road and arriving at Sumners Ponds in Barns Green. This is where we were due to rendezvous with the other sections for lunch. Within a few minutes of us settling down to our food, a few other riders had turned up but by the time everyone else had arrived and had their lunch, we'd been there for nearly an hour and a half!
It was a short ride to the hill on New Road and then we were off. Each of us taking a turn rolling down the hill and seeing how far we could go:
The end result saw Anton roll furthest but get disqualified for turning his pedals as he started to get off, but no matter to us as the next two places were our own John C and Ken.
After all that excitement it was but a short run up Two Mile Ash Road back to Horsham and home before four pm.
Next weeks ride is a Three Bridges start at 10:00hrs for one of our monthly Introductory Rides led by Pete S. I'm hoping that he will take us along the Worth Way as I reckon the Spring Blossom will be really good.
This year we returned to the hill that was used back when I joined the CTC 10 years ago, New Road.
The morning dawned dull and wet, although I was feeling quite chipper as it was my birthday! I used my birthday as an excuse and sent a text to Anton taking him up on the offer of a lift that he had made me. Arriving at Horsham, we were met by Norman and Mick - although it has to be said, Norman was in civvies and not riding. As we stood around chatting, Ken rolled up and joined in the chatter. The weather seemed to be improving insofar as the rain looked to be stopping, so we didn't start riding until half past ten. I had a couple of routes in mind, but in the end we just did a small loop taking in Broadbridge Heath, Slinfold and The Haven before cutting across from Rowner Road going up New Road and arriving at Sumners Ponds in Barns Green. This is where we were due to rendezvous with the other sections for lunch. Within a few minutes of us settling down to our food, a few other riders had turned up but by the time everyone else had arrived and had their lunch, we'd been there for nearly an hour and a half!
It was a short ride to the hill on New Road and then we were off. Each of us taking a turn rolling down the hill and seeing how far we could go:
The end result saw Anton roll furthest but get disqualified for turning his pedals as he started to get off, but no matter to us as the next two places were our own John C and Ken.
After all that excitement it was but a short run up Two Mile Ash Road back to Horsham and home before four pm.
Next weeks ride is a Three Bridges start at 10:00hrs for one of our monthly Introductory Rides led by Pete S. I'm hoping that he will take us along the Worth Way as I reckon the Spring Blossom will be really good.
Sunday, 23 February 2014
Edenbridge - well Lingfield, actually!
I could get used to this - another Sunday, another ride and I'm not leading it! Doesn't stop me from running late though :-(
I arrived at Three Bridges station to a barrage of friendly banter and time-keeping based punditry from a mixed bag of boys and girls all waiting to get going on their bikes. Anton was leading Norman, Val, Malcolm, Pete, Marian, Ros and myself, firstly on NCN21 out through the north of Crawley and on to Gatwick. There was quite strong wind from the southwest, so it would be behind us until at least the lunch stop. In spite of the wind, it wasn't that cold and even the full cloud cover didn't stop the day from feeling quite bright. Scaffolders were working on the terminal building and we had to wait for them to move their lorry out of the away before we could get past. Unlike last week, the underpass wasn't flooded, then when we emerged back on the roads, Anton surprised us by turning right where we normally turn left. Oh; hang on, wait a minute!, rewind a bit......... tfel nrut yllamron ew erehw thgir gninrut yb su desirprus notnA ,sdaor eht no kcal degreme ew nehw neht ....... I missed something: SOMEONE fell off her bike! I won't mention names but I saw her valiantly claw at Malcolm's leg as she toppled slowly, some would say gracefully, to the ground. We were stopped at the time and it was the fall that everyone using clipless pedals has at some point - you lose your balance and can't unclip quick enough. Anyway, no damage done except for a bruised bum!
Anyway, to continue, Anton surprised us by turning right where we normally turn left. This brought us out in exactly the same place as usual - near the station, from where we crossed the railway and carried on East over the traffic light junction along Smallfield Road. Just before the motorway we turned left onto Hathersham Lane and further on, avoided turning into the wind by going up New House Lane. Axes Lane took us east, over the motorway before we passed the Dog and Duck pub (a major stopping point on the London to Brighton Bike Ride) and headed to Outwood along Brickfield Road.
At Outwood windmill we regrouped and Ros, who was out riding for the first time since a minor fall off her Brompton the other week, decided to take a shorter route to the lunch stop and meet us there. As she had a map I assumed she'd got some clever route worked out and rode off with the others, along Gayhouse Lane and down Hornecourt Hill having promised to phone when we reached the lunch stop.
After just a few more miles cycling, including a short foray along a very smooth A22, we arrived in Lingfield and settled on The GreyHound pub as our lunch stop. I phoned Ros to find out where she was only to find that she had taken a much more circuitous route and was on her way down from Bletchingly! The result was that Ros had ridden almost twice as far as we had and we'd almost finished our lunch before she arrived at the pub. Never mind, that meant I could have a second pint whilst Ros ate her lunch :-)
As the wind had been pretty much behind us all morning, we knew it was going to be mainly in our faces all the way home. Anton countered this to some extent by his choice of route which firstly took us via Felcourt into East Grinstead where he took us on short cut through some quiet residential streets before we said goodbye to East Grinstead resident Ros. The A22 was busy but slow-moving until we turned off at Felbridge and took the Crawley Down fork. As we went up the hill a rather nice Scooby went by - gimme! After Crawley Down we went via Rowfant and then used a short stretch of the Worth Way before splitting into two groups - Pete, Marian and myself using the Worth Way back to Maidenbower and Furnace Green, everyone else using the road back to Three Bridges station.
All in all, quite a short ride of just over 30 miles but very enjoyable, especially as Anton tends to find roads we haven't used much before, thanks Anton.
Next weeks ride is a Horsham Pavilion in the Park start at 10:00hrs and will be led by me. It will be a Pootle to Partridge Green and will celebrate the anniversary of the club.
At Outwood windmill we regrouped and Ros, who was out riding for the first time since a minor fall off her Brompton the other week, decided to take a shorter route to the lunch stop and meet us there. As she had a map I assumed she'd got some clever route worked out and rode off with the others, along Gayhouse Lane and down Hornecourt Hill having promised to phone when we reached the lunch stop.
After just a few more miles cycling, including a short foray along a very smooth A22, we arrived in Lingfield and settled on The GreyHound pub as our lunch stop. I phoned Ros to find out where she was only to find that she had taken a much more circuitous route and was on her way down from Bletchingly! The result was that Ros had ridden almost twice as far as we had and we'd almost finished our lunch before she arrived at the pub. Never mind, that meant I could have a second pint whilst Ros ate her lunch :-)
As the wind had been pretty much behind us all morning, we knew it was going to be mainly in our faces all the way home. Anton countered this to some extent by his choice of route which firstly took us via Felcourt into East Grinstead where he took us on short cut through some quiet residential streets before we said goodbye to East Grinstead resident Ros. The A22 was busy but slow-moving until we turned off at Felbridge and took the Crawley Down fork. As we went up the hill a rather nice Scooby went by - gimme! After Crawley Down we went via Rowfant and then used a short stretch of the Worth Way before splitting into two groups - Pete, Marian and myself using the Worth Way back to Maidenbower and Furnace Green, everyone else using the road back to Three Bridges station.
All in all, quite a short ride of just over 30 miles but very enjoyable, especially as Anton tends to find roads we haven't used much before, thanks Anton.
Next weeks ride is a Horsham Pavilion in the Park start at 10:00hrs and will be led by me. It will be a Pootle to Partridge Green and will celebrate the anniversary of the club.
Sunday, 20 October 2013
The Bluebell Railway
Looking forward to today's ride, I opened the curtains to be confronted by a torrential downpour. Hmmmmmm. Do I still want to go for a bike ride? Well.... I had washed and re proofed my waterproofs during the week, so maybe here was an opportunity to test out my handiwork?
As usual I was late arriving at the start - this week my excuse was the length of time it took me to fit my rear rack and associated mudguard, my front mudguard and pull on my nice, clean waterproofs, but - the rain had stopped!
Waiting at Three Bridges were Pete E, Michael, Norman and Narinder. A quick text conversation with Ros and we'd arranged to meet her at East Grinstead, another text conversation confirmed that Gordon would not be falling off joining up with us this week.
The Worth Way provided a firm and reliable surface, although a lot of muddy water was getting picked up and sprayed around by our tyres. We sped along through Rowfant and Crawley Down until we arrived at East Grinstead station where we met Ros and Carol in the railway carriage cafe:
After this brief encounter there were now seven of us and we headed up the High Street and onto The Forest Way for the quick sprint down to Forest Row (Ros used the road in order to avoid getting as besmattered as we were).
From Forest Row we used Priory Road to climb up into Ashdown Forest. It was a stiffer climb than I was anticipating and we stopped at the crossroads to get our breath back before turning left and then right onto Twyford Lane. This is one of my favourite lanes and I freewheeled down it at about thirty mph. Towards the bottom of the hill it gets a bit bendier, steeper and narrower but today it was also muddier and slippier. I splashed through the ford which was disappointingly shallow, and waited for the others with my video camera running all the way:
He didn't even stop once we got on the train! Ros may well have had enough though, for she decided to cycle back to East Grinstead.
The journey up the line was however most memorable for the fact that the heavens opened and it absolutely poured with rain - we'd avoided getting wet whilst cycling and now we were warm and dry in our own compartment as the train splashed through the torrential downpour (we did think about Ros though - has she dried out yet??).
Bang on cue, the sun came back out just as the train pulled into our stop at East Grinstead - timing!
Here's the magnificent loco that was pulling our train - it's a Class 9F, the last class of steam locomotive built for British Rail. Ask Norman what the wheel arrangement is...
The ride back to Three Bridges along the Worth Way was uneventful but once more splattered us in muddy water. We didn't mind, we'd had a really nice day out (in spite of the weather).
Next weeks ride is hopefully timed just right - it goes to Winkworth Arboretum, a National Trust garden that has spectacular autumn colours, so bring your NT card if you've got one. There is a cafe there (it's just outside the garden so you don't need to pay entry/show your card if you just want some refreshments). The start will be from Horsham Park Pavilion at 09:30 hrs for a ride of about 30-35 miles and I would rate it as easy-medium. Don't forget, the clocks will have gone back on Saturday night/Sunday morning, so it will be brighter in the morning.
Saturday, 5 October 2013
Off-road ride
By way of a change, we organised a Saturday ride this week. It was Gordon's idea and he also invited us all to breakfast at his house beforehand. I was the last one there and, puffing from the hill up to his house, I joined Gordon, Norman and Dave to enjoy a nice bacon sandwich and cuppa tea.
Just in case anyone else turned up, we rode over to the Black Swan before heading off along Parish Lane. We squeezed through the squeeze gate and into Tilgate Forest. As someone had recently reported on the Crawley Cycle Forum Facebook page, the top end of NCN20 was blocked with a fallen tree so we had to carry our bikes over it. Gordon was checking the cycle route signage was ok and we were soon speeding down the firebreak and spraying dew from the grass all over ourselves. Crossing over the motorway we then had a nice fast blast down through the golf course followed by the wriggling path through the woods before emerging in Furnace Green.
The tunnel under the railway took us into Maidenbower and then it was just a question of using the cycle paths up to the Worth Way. We continued on, past Worth Church and over the motorway again. The Worth Way was very pleasant and not at all busy and we were soon at Crawley Down. Here we took to the road and headed south to Turners Hill. After the climb, we needed a break so we stopped at The Crown for refreshments. Coffees all round (apart from my beer that is)!
We got going again and spent several minutes getting over the crossroads just outside the pub before stopping to inflate Normans front tyre. Gordon led us on through Worth Abbey and then onto the Whitely Hill bridleway. Once we'd crossed the Balcombe Road, I stopped to change the battery in my camera and let everyone else go ahead.
Eventually, after answering a phone message, I got going but was only just getting settled into the singletrack when I came across Norman who'd had an off and hurt his leg a little. We sorted out his bike and carried on down the track.
Crossing the railway, the bridleway migrated from sandy mud, through stony track to tarmac and became Parish lane. Norman decided to head for home at this point, leaving Gordon, Dave and myself to go off for some fun in the woods - with our bikes, madam!!
Gordon led us backwards and forwards through the forest and eventually down a hill - this one:
As you can see, Gordon made a spectacular flight over his handlebars, but is made of strong stuff and having got his breath back was straightaway leading us up another hill. Not long after, it was time for me to head home (I needed to get off to football) and the last two worked their way through the western part of the Forest and back to Gordons house.
Eventually, after answering a phone message, I got going but was only just getting settled into the singletrack when I came across Norman who'd had an off and hurt his leg a little. We sorted out his bike and carried on down the track.
Gordon led us backwards and forwards through the forest and eventually down a hill - this one:
Sunday, 8 September 2013
Worth Way to East Grinstead
The second Sunday of each month we have a nice easy ride aimed at those new to riding or new to riding with a group or even just those who fancied an easy couple of hours in the saddle.
This month I decided we'd use The Worth Way, hopefully as far as East Grinstead for a cuppa but tailored to whoever turned up.
I was pleasantly surprised when on arriving at Three Bridges station I was met by a nice large group of riders, all looking forward to clocking up a few miles on what had turned into a nice sunny day.
As well as club members Barbara, Michael, Norman, Sandra, Val and myself, we had guests Carol, Claire, Christime, Sharon and Paul.
The traffic light sensors didn't sense us, so we had to wave a car forward to jolt the electronics into operation and we were off..... Up Billinton Drive and then onto The Worth Way. The dappled sunlight and shelter from the wind made for very pleasant riding and the surface was firm enough to make good progress yet comfortably soft at the same time.
As we passed Worth Church we acquired another rider as John V joined us, making our numbers up to a round dozen. Everyone was chatting and getting along really well making it a very enjoyable ride.
There was quite a broad variation in average speeds amongst the riders so every now and again I would stop in order for us all to regroup but it still didn't take long to get to East Grinstead.
Crossing over the railway I was disappointed that there wasn't a steam engine at the station, but we carried on up the hill to pull up at the Bluebells cafe for a break. Even though there were so many of us the cafe coped really well and we were grouped together so we could continue our various conversations. The cafe offered to stock leaflets advertising our club if we want - I'll have to print some off and go back there sometime soon. Everyone seemed to enjoy whatever drink and food they ordered and after about 30 minutes or so we were back outside ready to start the return journey.
It's slightly downhill from Grinny and we were making rapid progress, but I stopped at the pond by Crawley Down in order to regroup.
The rest of the ride was uneventful and we were soon back at Three Bridges station and saying goodbye to each other.
We carried on and continued to make good progress until one of the bikes had a puncture. I adopted my Bicycle Repair Man guise and got stuck into mending it. The puncture had announced itself with a loud bang so I was expecting to see a large hole in the tube, but it wasn't that big. The tube contained some puncture prevention slime and I wasn't sure whether that would prevent a puncture patch from working but the rider had a spare tube anyway so we fitted that (after checking the tyre for thorns, stones, splits etc.).
The rest of the ride was uneventful and we were soon back at Three Bridges station and saying goodbye to each other.
Next weeks ride is a Horsham Pavilions in the Park start at 09:30 for a 30 something mile loop south of Horsham and across to The Half Moon at Warninglid for lunch.
Sunday, 23 June 2013
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, 9 June 2013
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.
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