Ride Report – A Group to Horsted Keynes 19 July

This is our traditional summertime adventure into deepest Weald country where, by tradition we meet the East Sussex CTC Wednesday irregulars. It’s a longish day out, starting with (for many) a 20ish mile jaunt to Hookwood Tesco’s, not our most picturesque coffee stop, but enhanced now with a few hundred metres of new cycleway.

The morning is a ride with three stages. Firstly a slalom around Gatwick Airport infrastructure, secondly a delightful few miles of Worth Way, all without traffic, and finally into East Sussex leafy lanes, complete with superb views, and the odd hill. 

Lunch at The Green Man was swiftly served, with generous helpings thrown in. It was a pleasure swapping stories with the E Sussex guys, especially learning how much easier our return journey would be if only we had their e-bikes. 

Mark left us after lunch for adventures eastward. Our return started with a flying visit to the Bluebell Railway station just off route, for a quick view of their rolling stock and photo stop. 

Thereafter a seemingly endless climb up to West Hoathly was followed by even more undulations. Dave F left us at Smallfield seeking a less uphill route to Ashtead. The remaining group, Mike R, Keith, Sue C and Peter Suchy got stuck into the official route until a minor revolt led to us choosing Holly Lane over Park Road.

The prospect of some downhill riding at last meant that nobody stopped for tea, but Neil C and Andy Coxhill from Ged’s group were still there for a chat. My thanks to all my group for their company, and especially Peter Suchy for back marking and Mike Reynell for corner marking and shielding me from the occasional icy blast from the north wind.

Ged, who led the second group off reports:-

My group included two knowledgeable navigators. Neil Crocker - who helped me sub-lead after his recce ride with Dave Vine, and Steve Duffin, who fine-tuned the route in 2020, and who diligently backmarked. Thanks guys!

We stopped for the traditional photo under the Gatwick flight path, and then reeled-in the first group a few miles before Horsted Keynes, arriving at the Green Man to find the E.Sussex riders already downing their pints. (An easy ride for them, as their leader later revealed that apart from two, they all rode E bikes!). After the stiff climbs up to Banstead we enjoyed tea at Cafe Chai.