Shoreham Century 16th June 2021

Our Wayfarer's big ride event was especially popular this time with over 32 people requesting to book on it, and we had the ideal British weather for visiting the seaside - hot and bright with a light breeze. The B’s were in good numbers at Tanhouse, Neil took in extra help from Dave V. to split his 12, plus Stef and Carolyn rode to Shoreham independently, also Tanhouse was the start for a regular distance B ride. With two cancellations due to injury we had 5 group of 5 or 6 riders. 

My group left last at about 10:50.

My navigation skills on Garmin are still not up to scratch but the two main mistakes I made my crew knew better. In my ride notes I wrote that Hammer Pond feeds into the Adur, its actually named Hammerpool Pond and feeds into the Arun, it’s an impressive scene but we pass it quickly. On getting names wrong the best was a friend at Tanhouse explaining the route getting there was via Blackout Lane, love it! 

Sebastian, Fiona, Dave, Mike and Patrick show their intuitive postitioning skills at Furnace Pond. 

We made 15.9mph av. down to Shoreham, we caught up with Marks group only at the start of the Adur Cycle Path, which meant Mark must have led a strong pace. At the Bridge one of the group said the group was rated as fast-moderate, where was the 'moderate' part of that ride? ("on the way back!"). Sebastian didn't like the wait at the pub and we suppose headed off  early to return at his preferred higher pace. When I recce'd the service at the Bridge was slow, the food had taken 45 minutes to arrive. In making the arrangements I had said how important it is to us to get through lunch in good time. They were well mobilised, taking our orders and getting drinks promptly, Fiona's food arrived after only 40 minutes! Billed as 'Fish Finger sandwich' she was in awe of the portion size (and it was good tasty fish)...     

The view from the Bridge patio was bright and colourful like the Med. .

By Shoreham airport Mike had a dangerous close pass from a white SUV. He got it all on camera.   

At Horsham we went clockwise round the 'Pavillion in the Park' so the bikes stay in sight, we asked at the kiosk, 'do you have chilled coffee?", go the usual answer "Sorry, no", but he also added there is another cafe two minutes down there in the park which does. Next time?  

Over the A264 onto Old Holbrook, the little people were happy to see us, cyclist friendly.. 

We certainly enjoyed the traditional end at Leatherhead. With the ride mostly over, its geat to enjoy a long cold beer. Other groups arrived before we left. 

Thanks to Mark, Neil C, Dave V and Steve D. for sub-leading, their ride reports follow.. 

NEIL CROCKER writes.. 

I was away from home on Tuesday and so didn't find out I until 9pm that I had been allocated a group of 12 riders that usually ride with the B's. Realising that we would need to break into smaller groups on the road for safety I rang Dave Vine and poached him from Steve's group to help me out.

At Tanhouse I divided up my flock by using the very scientific method of sending off the first five ready with Dave, while I rounded up the others and introduced myself to those I hadn't met.

Once on the road everything flowed well and we made good progress south. The sun was shining, the traffic was light and the occasional mechanical issues were not going to spoil our mood.

At 'The Bridge' we were seated and served without the delays that affected some of the other groups. The food was good and the service friendly.

After lunch we cycled to the beach for a photo opportunity.

Here we left Jacqui, Madeleine (and Brenda, who was standing in for Tony in the photo) and headed for home.

Now with the wind behind us we (Bob, Tony, Fixie Dave and me) made good progress and pushed on to Horsham. This turned out to be a bad decision as the selection of ice creams on offer at the leisure centre was very limited - we should have stopped at Partridge Green as is traditional. However we sat in the sunshine and talked with the other groups before the final section of the ride.

In Leatherhead some most necessary rehydation was taken while we discussed what a wonderful day we had had. Then it was time to head for home after another successful Shoreham Ride.

Thanks to Neil W for organising (especially the weather), my group for their company and to all the other riders on the road.

DAVE VINE writes.. 

I arrived at Tanhouse to find that NeilC had allocated me five riders from his sizeable following – and quite the nicest companions you could hope to meet.

Leaving around 10.35 we made steady progress stopping only at the Royal Oak at Wineham to top up with water. It’s notable that there’s no shops and only a few pubs open for supplies in the long stretch between Rusper and Small Dole.

I was operating more on recollections of previous Shoreham rides rather than new-fangled GPS so I missed the cycle path along the Adur bank, and followed the traditional scenic route with picture postcard views of the cement factory, which helps to divert attention from the mega pig farm on the other side of the valley.

We arrived a few minutes after NeilC’s group, making me the official Lanterne Rouge. There was a table reserved for us, thanks NeilW, and the staff were friendly and helpful. However they were very busy, so it took a bit of hustling to get our orders in, and a bit more to get the food delivered.

It was a pleasure to meet honorary Wayfarer and local resident Angie Launder, as well as Carolyn Beer and Steph who had both ridden down independently.

As is normal on a sunny Shoreham ride, it’s difficult to get everyone to leave, as the seaside is more attractive than the prospect of 50-mile ride back. Brenda sensibly decided to linger on the beach, while Tim and Yasmin elected for the train back. Three of us set off around 3.30, John to catch the train from Horsham, and Christina to ride the whole way.

All three of us voted to skip the traditional Partridge Green Magnum, knowing that “time is miles”. At Horsham we were surprised to find a large posse of Wayfarers just leaving, strange as some must have left Shoreham a good hour before us. The Pavilions café was closed, in retrospect a blessing as after a brief rest we were on the road again, now down to Christina and me. Luckily, we never found the hazardous pothole at Old Holbrooke (thanks Neil’s). In Leatherhead the drizzle had started so we skipped enlarging Tim Martin’s already bulging coffers and pressed on for home. En route we were passed by NeilC with his group, doubtless anxious to avoid the rain.

Many congratulations to Christina for her first century ride of the year. Thanks to all my group for their support and friendship on the ride, and especially to Tim for back marking on the ride down. Also thanks to NeilW for organising the ride and the sunshine, NeilC for encouragement at numerous times, and to Mark for his classic route.

STEVE DUFFIN writes.. 

My day started well with Ged, Brenda, Bob, Tony Hooker, 'fixie' Dave and Jackie at North Cheam. Tony decided to lead the B's through Tamworth instead of Mott's Hill Lane which is a rough track and meet Ged and I in Walton on the Hill. On meeting him, he told us Dave's chain had come off and that Tony himself would sort it out and lead the B's to Tanhouse Farm. So it proved and they had time for coffee.

Dave Vine was supposed to be in my group, but had decided to lead 6 of Neil Crocker's 12 B riders to help out. 

As you can see I have great leadership skills losing 5 B riders from the start and another from my own group.

So at 10.30 Dave Ward, Dave Ferrett, Dave and Jenny Jackson and myself set off at a moderate pace to enjoy ourselves. Thanks to the tour notes provided by Neil W, we could take in the sights on the way at Furnace Pond and the Lyndhurst Estate. 

At lunch I had hoped my pre ordered baguette would arrive less than 45 minutes wait I had on the recce, but no, at almost bang on 45 minutes it arrived. God bless the kitchen at The Bridge.

We stopped on the return for pictures on the Shoreham Bathing beach.

Dave Ward left to get the train back as his knee was hurting. At Partridge Green Dave Ferrett kindly refuelled us with Magnum ice creams. At The Pavilions Cafe in Horsham Jenny and Dave treated us to tea and cold water, before heading off to the station for the train home. As Neil Crocker and Mark arrived with their groups we decided to return en mass to Leatherhead for a pint in the pub. As we left Rusper, Mark decided to set a faster pace followed by myself and Ged.

A really enjoyable day out made special by everyone's company. A special thank you to my group and the unsung heroes Dave Vine and Neil Crocker, who are constantly stepping up to lead rides and help where they can. Of course thanks also to Neil Warland for organising the day and the leader tour notes.

Steve D.

MARK GLADWYN writes.. 

Frances, Ged, Keith, Nick, Sue and I set off promptly from Tanhouse Farm, after a short photo-session with organiser Neil. 

Perfect conditions, and we set a good pace, passing some of the earlier starters with a wave.  Happy, easy miles though beautiful English countryside in the sunshine, and we in turn were passed by Neil W’s fast group as we picked up the Arun path.  Smiles and waves again, and we all met up at the pub, where things were ready for us.

A good lunch, a slight hiccup in our departure, but it made no difference.  Along Beach Road, where we stopped to take a proper look at the sea.  There had been loose talk of paddling, but it came to nothing.  Past the Airport, where there was a Tiger Moth, rare enough these days, through pretty Steyning and on to Partridge Green, where we observed the hallowed tradition of the Choc Ice.

While we were enjoying this we decided to take the Downs Link up to Horsham, which, after a bit of faffing by the leader in finding the way on, worked well.  At the Leisure Centre we met Neil C’s group, and were disappointed to find that the cafe had just closed.  This was a bit of a dud, as the only reason for going to the crummy Leisure Centre was because the cafe stayed open late.  Anyway, Neil gave us a piece of his emergency ginger cake, so we set off to Leatherhead on top form.

Sue peeled off at Holmwood, Keith at Leatherhead and Frances, Ged, Nick and I stopped at Wetherspoons for a beer.  The fast boys and girls were leaving as we arrived, but JD still had some beer left; Neil C’s group arrived as we were leaving.

Thanks to all for a wonderful day out