Sunday Ride: 2nd April 2017

A schism has formed in the Anerley as a simple ride to Horley and Tandridge turned into two separate rides. Even the Club Captain has joined the growing list “seasiders” leaving from the tea stop for a trip to the Shoreham-by-Sea.

Mind you, the tea room was a rather nice surprise with great service and value for money at Serendipity in Horley. A first visit for the Anerley and I suspect it won’t be the last.

The “Sunday scorchers” abandoned their usual speedy run around Surrey and came out with us. Could it be that they are missing the chat and camaraderie that is the Anerley Sunday ride? Ajay had a problem with his carbon frame with one of the bottle cage lugs ripping out of the frame – another anecdote to be used in the argument in the carbon vs steel saga.

Having made the decision to go onto Shoreham, I was delighted to lead Stuart through Horley, the huge housing estate at Ifield and Faygate to his starting point at Colgate. Here, Stuart led using an OS map which took us through some absolutely gorgeous country lane that is the Hammerpond Road, Southeast of Horsham. Onwards to the flat Burnthouse Lane to Partridge Green before following the B2135 to Steyning.

At the junction with the A283 we watched in amazement as the “Piazza Italia District Tour” roared past with an accompanying haze of petrol fumes and testosterone. Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Alpha Romeos, Mini Coopers put an enormous smile on our faces but we had to push through the crowds gathered in Steyning.

A final push saw us into Shoreham where we happily sat in the Bridge Inn with a pint and some chips while the sun shone on us righteous people.

The journey home on Southern Rail was not so glorious as TomTom, Maggie and myself fought our way onto a packed train at Hove, only just managing to squeeze into the end carriage. The squeeze only got tighter the train made its way to Haywards Heath and Gatwick.

Stuart took the manly option and cycled, getting back home at 8pm with 114 miles on the clock.