Henfold, Nuthurst and Tulley's Farm
The day dawned dark, dank and murky. This accurately reflected my misty understanding of where to meet when the Easy Riders have a different 11’s. Great my amazement to find a N.C. throng champing at the bit at 9.02 am. Having specified a 9am start I should have known better! In no time Norman was off down London Rd. All fine for ½ mile until we reached the Organ Inn traffic lights where the group splintered, with some following me to take the high road towards Nescot and some taking the low road to follow Norman via I know not where to our common destination.
The Nescot group rose to the heights to grandstand it beside Epsom racecourse towards 
Tadworth, where my ride had started. From then on it was all downhill through Walton-on-the Hill, down Pebble Hill (deemed ‘awesome’ by frisky young Jack, who wanted to do it again), through Betchworth and lanes rural to Henfold Lake. Here we were among the first to arrive and refreshed ourselves as numbers gradually grew, finally to be augmented by the Norman invasion. Time then to split again, with Terry leading the B Group and Jeff the A Group.
Tadworth, where my ride had started. From then on it was all downhill through Walton-on-the Hill, down Pebble Hill (deemed ‘awesome’ by frisky young Jack, who wanted to do it again), through Betchworth and lanes rural to Henfold Lake. Here we were among the first to arrive and refreshed ourselves as numbers gradually grew, finally to be augmented by the Norman invasion. Time then to split again, with Terry leading the B Group and Jeff the A Group. This was to be no Roughstuff Fellowship but a genteel spin on reassuring tarmac (bar the potholes!) - destination Nuthurst. Our resident, computerised cartographer (and fearsome climber!), Mark, has expertly plotted (see below) every detail of our route, so little for me to add. The hazy mists of Henfield dissolved to offer blue skies and sunshine as, like Toad of Toad Hall, we sped through Newdigate, Rusper, Wimlands, dismount to cross the A264 ,which has so crudely truncated Wimlands Rd, to find Old Crawley Road behind the bushes and brambles. Then round the Eastern outskirts of 
Horsham to Doomsday Green, where (pax) some were taken rudely unawares by the blind right turn and sudden short, sharp rise of Doomsday Lane! We cross the A281 and down the renamed Magpie Lane to Copsale, Maplehurst and the welcome whinny of the Black Horse, Nuthurst. This listed building is a quintessential English pub with a stream and splashing waterfall enhancing the secluded garden.
After freshly baked baguettes and banter it was time to embrace the afternoon. The tea-time target was Tulley’s Farm – a farm too far for some. All set off together through Monk’s Gate, Mannings Heath and Hammer Pond Lane. Here some curtail their ride to take Grouse Rd and
head for home through Colgate. The significant others confront the climb past Hammer Ponds, then on to Handcross where Vic peels off for Pease Pottage and the rest take High Beeches Lane towards Turners Hill, with a small diversion to Balcombe and along Mill Lane for the climb by Ardingly Reservoir and the long drag up Paddockhurst Lane to rejoin the B2110 to Turners Hill and Tulley’s Farm. As ever, Ian finds a way to arrive before the hares!
Brief respite, then off again, John to Tunbridge Wells and the others via Copthorne, Smallfield, Nutfield (where Will turned off at Crab Hill Lane), Merstham, Markedge Lane and Fanny’s to stop and take our leave, our number now reduced to the Famous Five, for the wind to take us where it willed.
According to the trusty Cateye (if accurately calibrated) a distance door to door of 76 miles, some 5¾ hours in the saddle, and a few more metres to add to Mark’s altitude report!
Horsham to Doomsday Green, where (pax) some were taken rudely unawares by the blind right turn and sudden short, sharp rise of Doomsday Lane! We cross the A281 and down the renamed Magpie Lane to Copsale, Maplehurst and the welcome whinny of the Black Horse, Nuthurst. This listed building is a quintessential English pub with a stream and splashing waterfall enhancing the secluded garden.After freshly baked baguettes and banter it was time to embrace the afternoon. The tea-time target was Tulley’s Farm – a farm too far for some. All set off together through Monk’s Gate, Mannings Heath and Hammer Pond Lane. Here some curtail their ride to take Grouse Rd and
head for home through Colgate. The significant others confront the climb past Hammer Ponds, then on to Handcross where Vic peels off for Pease Pottage and the rest take High Beeches Lane towards Turners Hill, with a small diversion to Balcombe and along Mill Lane for the climb by Ardingly Reservoir and the long drag up Paddockhurst Lane to rejoin the B2110 to Turners Hill and Tulley’s Farm. As ever, Ian finds a way to arrive before the hares!Brief respite, then off again, John to Tunbridge Wells and the others via Copthorne, Smallfield, Nutfield (where Will turned off at Crab Hill Lane), Merstham, Markedge Lane and Fanny’s to stop and take our leave, our number now reduced to the Famous Five, for the wind to take us where it willed.
According to the trusty Cateye (if accurately calibrated) a distance door to door of 76 miles, some 5¾ hours in the saddle, and a few more metres to add to Mark’s altitude report!
Jeff
1 comment:
A great report thanks Jeff king of the reporters!
Post a Comment