Over the years numbers have varied on our annual ride to Horsted Keynes. On a good day, weather fair, fifteen have met-up with our East Sussex CTC chums. (As few as five show-up if rain is in the air). Eleven signed-up yesterday - about right with temperatures forecasted to nudge the 30's. However, as Brian mentions below, it made for pleasant cycling in the shady Worths Way.
I met with Steve D and W at North Cheam at 8.15am, and were only 10 minutes late with our rendezvous with Sue, Pete Beyer and Janice at the Epsom Downs tea hut. David W popped-up at the Seven Stars pub, Leigh, and aided by Janice's navigation, we made our way to an early elevenses at Hookwood.
My group paused for the obligatory photo at the Gatwick runway flightpath - Pete pointing-out the trip-wire for the nearby railway in case planes misjudged their approach. Thankfully never needed!
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| On the Gatwick flight-path. |
The high-level route from Tyes Cross to Cinder Hill near Horsted Keynes overlooks the Blue Bell Railway Line in the valley below - but there were no 'toots' or 'puffs of steam' today!
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A misnomer - on a scorching-hot day!
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| The Green Man. |
The Green Man was the first re-opened pub we visited in July 2020 following the initial lockdown, so it was fitting to be able to visit again in more relaxed circumstances - mingling with fellow cyclists from East Sussex. David W departed for Haywards Heath, whilst we toiled with the hills, Steve and I stopping for tea in Banstead.
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| Wayfarers - and mid-week East Sussex CTC. |
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| Sue - and a 'light-lunch'! |
Brian and Janice's Group.
Our group of myself, Janice, Dave Bartholomew, Mike Reynell, Steve Wilshire and Dave Vine left Hookwood at 1040 and threaded our way through Gatwick and Crawley without incident. The shade on the Worth Way was very welcome and our pace picked up a bit. Back on road Janice took the lead for most of the way to lunch where we arrived before 1230. The open stretch on the ridge along Chilling Street was especially atttractive.
After an enjoyable lunch and much liquid replenishment we set off back to Banstead in the heat of the day. The descent from the pub means the the first effort required of the legs is the climb up Waterbury Hill which seemed particularly hard today with Hammingden Lane to follow. We made steady progress to Smallfield where we stopped for an ice cream break about half way back to Banstead. Janice then led much of the section back to Nutfield. The final section was a complete contrast to the deluge on our recce - we could actually see the road. Only Mike, DaveB and I stopped at Pistachios where we joined Steve D and Ged.
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| Ice cream stop in Smallfield. |
A really enjoyable day out on a very hot day. My thanks especially to Janice for sharing the lead and Dave Vine for being the de facto back marker.
Brian
Our annual ride owes much to Mark for devising an attractive route to unfamiliar parts - recently fine-tuned by Steve D. Thanks to Brian and Janice for their sub-leading partnership, Janice for photos, and to Steve D for back marking my group. It's a credit to our fitness that we rode the second longest ride (after Shoreham) on the hottest day of the year. Well done to all!
1 comment:
Speaking as the "de-facto back marker" who was often a few vertical metres below the pack, I much appreciated the sympathetic leadership from Brian and Janice.
Also it was good to meet the East Sussex riders, now riding as a freelance team, but just as good company as ever. Hopefully this is a tradition of meeting which we can maintain.
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