Both start times, 08:00 (newsletter) and 08:30 (website and actual), Seemed inappropriate as we reached Tesco Hookwood via Headley and Leigh at 10:15.
Francoise and Cliff had disappeared early on with separate mechanical problems; Deanne and Grant went no further. After a leisurely breakfast (for many), the rest (Ed, Bernard with friend Will, Brian N, Frank H, Graham, John B, John G, John S, Mike M, Richard, Rob, Toni, Phil L ) carried on.
At the A217/A23 junction I deviated onto NCN21 and then went by road to Tinsley Green, Turners Hill, and the Cat Inn at West Hoathly - a route discussed at 11s. The others ignored my shouts and loyally followed onto the dual carriageway. Later they took in the sights of Crawley including its larger supermarkets; the exact route, a mystery even to the leader. The difference in our routes was around thirty minutes. CTC East Sussex riders arrived from various directions and disappeared into the pub. Eventually all of the Midweekers joined them.
We set off back to Turners Hill and then rode to Effingham Park. In Downlands Lane we found ourselves behind an exceptional load which unintentionally was hedgerow trimming and adding large branches to its load; those nearest also enduring a mini dust storm! After Outwood there was the long uphill drag to Bletchingley and then flatter roads lead to Merstham and Fannie's for leisurely tea and cakes.
Around 70 miles for me on a day that got better and better.
Graham Hill
Francoise and Cliff had disappeared early on with separate mechanical problems; Deanne and Grant went no further. After a leisurely breakfast (for many), the rest (Ed, Bernard with friend Will, Brian N, Frank H, Graham, John B, John G, John S, Mike M, Richard, Rob, Toni, Phil L ) carried on.
At the A217/A23 junction I deviated onto NCN21 and then went by road to Tinsley Green, Turners Hill, and the Cat Inn at West Hoathly - a route discussed at 11s. The others ignored my shouts and loyally followed onto the dual carriageway. Later they took in the sights of Crawley including its larger supermarkets; the exact route, a mystery even to the leader. The difference in our routes was around thirty minutes. CTC East Sussex riders arrived from various directions and disappeared into the pub. Eventually all of the Midweekers joined them.
We set off back to Turners Hill and then rode to Effingham Park. In Downlands Lane we found ourselves behind an exceptional load which unintentionally was hedgerow trimming and adding large branches to its load; those nearest also enduring a mini dust storm! After Outwood there was the long uphill drag to Bletchingley and then flatter roads lead to Merstham and Fannie's for leisurely tea and cakes.
Around 70 miles for me on a day that got better and better.
Graham Hill
No comments:
Post a Comment