A round dozen riders set off for today’s ‘A’ ride from Redhill. Our destination was to be Three Bridges, in Crawley, a fair trek for January for some of our more North and Westerly based members.
Our route took us due South through Earlswood, past East Surrey Hospital, and along Mason’s Bridge Road, past the Dog and Duck pub and into Smallfield. We carried on South
along Effingham Lane, through Crawley Down, before encountering our only real hill of the day as we entered Turners Hill. After that it was due west down the hill along Turners Hill Road. On the outskirts of Crawley, at Worth, we stopped for the day’s cultural item, at the atmospheric church of St Nicholas, complete with its interior Saxon arches and 13th Century font. In the graveyard was seen the tomb of Robert Whitehead, designer of the first self propelled naval torpedo.
Away from the ethereal atmosphere of St Nicholas, we made a literal and metaphorical descent to the more earthly surroundings of the Snooty Fox, directly opposite Three Bridges station. Initial hopes of a group beer discount were dashed on discovering the choice of beer on offer was restricted. It’s a hard life as a Midweek Wayfarer!!
Resisting the temptation after lunch to jump on the train, we proceeded at good pace with a following wind along the Balcombe Road via Horley, Hookwood, Leigh and Brockham to Denbies for tea. My mileage today was an estimated (due to a malfunctioning Cateye) 56, though others will have done quite a few more. Unlike our less fortunate ‘B’ group brethren of late, today’s puncture count was nil.
Rob
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