Shoreham During The Rainy Season - 12 June

Despite the weather forecast, twenty-three happy souls left a sunny Henfold Lakes heading for the coast. Everything was going fine until we reached the junction between Wineham Lane and the A272. A pick-up truck was ablaze and the fire brigade were busy trying to extinguish the burning load. All four legs of the junction were closed.

Geoff's photo right at the heart of the action

We could have retraced our route back up the hill we had just come down and find a new route but opted to wait. After 15 minutes we were the first to be allowed across the junction and continued on.

Unfortunately the rain soon arrived and after riding the new Adur riverside cyclepath we arrived soaked at the Bridge Inn. Nobody was sitting outside the pub so the inside was very busy. However they had set aside a whole bar and Angie was already there waiting for us.

By the time we had eaten, the weather had cleared a little and we even managed a photo to prove it.

Smiling cyclists and the eponymous bridge

By then some had already headed to the station (and I'm sure later others regretted not having done so).

Next the customary trip to see the real coast and round Shoreham Airport before heading for Steyning. Here the first of three punctures interupted the flow of the ride and the rain re-appeared.

However despite the weather Mark generously provided the traditional ice creams at Partridge Green.

Rain? What rain?

From here routes home varied. Some headed straight to Horsham station, some added bonus miles before heading for the station while most headed for the Pavilions-In-The-Park to replenish energy levels for the final push to Leatherhead.

This section of the ride had really miserable weather and at Leatherhead some decided re-hydation was rather superfluous and headed straight home to dry out in a bath. But six hardy souls dripped on the floor of the Wetherspoons, recounted tales of the ride, ate food, and drank - although there were more hot drinks and less beer than in previous years.

Congratulations to those who were new to the group and hope to see you again soon.

And finally a big thank you to Dave Vine for putting in a twelve hour stint of back-marking in trying conditions.