Sunday Ride: 19th March 2017

Around ten of us started (there’s piston leg Frank just crossing the zebra crossing). We also welcomed George again for his third ride. Good to hear you are wishing to join.

A stiff ascent of Portnalls and descent of Reigate Hill got the blood circulating. And then “The Crossing of the River Mole”. Not re-built in Kwai conditions nor timescale, the bridge that was swept away in the disastrous floods of 2015(?) has, at long last been re-opened. We sped across triumphantly perhaps regretting it had little of the charm of its predecessor …

Not stopping at Tanhouse Farm we pushed on through Rusper to the Conservatory Cafe in Horsham. A place that has been Anerley-free for far too long.

Tom V continues …

Having separated from the adventurers on their way to Shoreham, the rest of us made our way northeastwards with a wonderful tail wind. The A264 is a busy dual carriageway that blocks Horsham off from Faygate like the great wall that someone wants to build between the US and Mexico. After a cut through the bushes we had to run across the two carriageways before getting onto the very quiet, peaceful Wimland Road to Faygate. Here we had a quick look at the Frog and Nightgown which combines pub and tea stop but sadly not on Sundays or Mondays. Worth it for an extended Tuesday ride in the future maybe…

The road northwards goes through Lambs Green with a lovely looking country pub and follows quiet lanes back to Charlwood where we encountered this:

Nobody fancied a stop at the pub so we headed on through past Horley and home via meandering Meath Green Lane. Once we crossed the main road near Earlswood, Barry showed us all a clean pair of heels and vanished into the distance and we all settled into a rhythm of trying to keep up. New boy George is also very sprightly and and I was much impressed to discover that this was his 3rd ride after a 3 month winter layoff.

We split up (somewhat unintentionally) around Redhill/Merstham and I was delighted to get home and put my feet up as the sun came out. A lot of very, very lovely country lanes and a decent distance of 55 miles. Definitely one to repeat this year…

Meanwhile the seasiders followed a GPX route stolen from the FNRttC Shoreham Ride which took us down wonderfuly quiet lanes through the chocolate box village of Steyning (a must see) and then through the River Adur gap in the South Downs to Shoreham Airport. There was a poignant moment going through the staggered traffic light junction across the A27 by the side of Lancing College where the Hawker Hunter so tragically took eleven lives in the 2015 Air Show.

The Airport is a delightful small art-deco wonder with a busy brasserie we sampled …

The ride must be the shortest/flattest route to the sea. No Ditchlings or Devil’s Dyke to fear. Maybe a future awayday possibility? Here is the route we took for posterity: