Cutty Sark Ride 2015

I thought I'd organize this ride for a Bank Holiday Weekend so that it would only take up 1/3rd of peoples weekend freetime - that should guarantee a good attendance!

I met up with Michael at Three Bridges station and we caught the train to Blackfriars station. We had fun fitting ourselves and two bikes into the lift but we managed it and as we emerged onto the Southbank we were met by Eric. That was it - I'd had a few messages from people saying they couldn't make it but nonetheless we stopped at the start point outside London Bridge Station until the specified start time.

We rode over to Greenwich and took a couple of photos whilst waiting for the second start time to arrive, then we were off.

We've become very familiar with the route now and in many ways it makes the riding easier. We were chatting away and even the couple of minor route detours didn't faze us. With so few riders we weren't wasting much time stopping for regroups and we got to the lunch pub, the White Bear at Fickleshole, before 12:30.

The rain was holding off and it was warm enough to sit outside and share our lunch with a few lazy wasps.

As usual the afternoon started off  with an offroad blast downhill with soggy mud and nettles to avoid, followed by a lungbusting drag up the hill and onwards to Chelsham. My favourite part of the day was next with a nice rapid descent through the trees to Woldingham Golf Course - made a bit more exciting by the gully that has developed in the lower parts of the track! We were back in the pedalling groove as we made our way up the quiet valley past Woldingham school and then along Quarry Road - this bit is always annoying as it takes you down part of the scarp slope before forcing you to climb back up it on a rough track. It does mean however that the crossing of the A22 is safely via a bridge. The road climb just beyond required the use of granny gear but shortly after we had the usual breather at the top of Gravelly Hill. The view wasn't as good as on previous occasions - the weather was muggy and reduced the view to a vague expanse of slightly misty green hills.

Remounting, we had the fast descent through the woods and under the M25 to emerge by the sand quarries. The path zig zags between the pits and was quite peaceful - until Eric swallowed a fly and proceeded to emit the loudest coughs I have ever heard! We carried on, past a cricket match and across Nutley Marsh. Passing a gent walking his dog the damned thing jumped at me but fortunately was prevented from making contact by the owners strong grip on the lead - I  suspect his Rottweiler often tries to play with unsuspecting body parts within range!

We passed through Redhill and then past the East Surrey Hospital. I took a short cut through the housing estate and we stopped at the newsagents for a chocolate bar and drink before having a quick blast along the track and down through the woodland.. We met up with a couple of cyclists riding from the London Eye to Burgess Hill and guided them through the badlands of Horley as far as the station. Eric had a puncture so decided to catch the train down to Three Bridges leaving Michael and I to carry on, past Gatwick Airport. As we went into the industrial estate we met a German cyclist and guided him as far as Northgate Avenue where we pointed him in the direction of the town centre. We then rode on to Three Bridges Station where Michael would meet up with Eric to drive back home and I carried on up and over the final hill to get home having clocked up just over 50 miles. The actual distance from the Cutty Saek to Crawley was about 45 miles and I reckon we should rate the ride as medium rather than hard.

Next weeks ride is the last DA Event of the year - the Arun Crossings. It starts from Pulborough Station at 09:30. It involves crossing the river on tracks and bridleways so is easier on a mountain bike or strong hybrid. 

Downs Link Part II

The intention was to ride to Guildford and back along the Downs link today but the weather conspired against it - although it wasn't yet wet, there was no doubt that it was going to rain. Consequently there were only two of us at Horsham Pavilions in the Park - myself and Daniel. We were both on mountain bikes, so I was quite happy that we would manage the track. Then Pete E arrived - dressed in civvies (no helmet, no cycling appareil) he'd just popped over on his bike to have a chat. However, we persuaded him (it didn't take much effort) to accompany us for a short while.


Pete took the lead out through the mean backstreets of Horsham, through a new development and over the A24 on the bridge to Tesco's. From here he led us down Wickhams Lane and along the bridleway to just short of Itchingfield where we picked up the Downs Link. Pete turned back at this point leaving Daniel and I to race of along the track. It was getting noticeably darker and sure enough it started raining. At this point I found out that Daniels rucksack didn't contain any waterproofs - so I felt guilty about using mine and left them attached to my belt. As we rode along we started getting wetter and muddier. As we rode into Rudgwick we spotted Michael ahead, sheltering under a tree. After a quick chat we decided to alter the ride and pop into Michaels for a coffee.


We had a nice break drinking Coffee and eating cake with Michael and Christine. Daniel and Michael realized that they both worked for the same company and were reminiscing about the various offices/countries they'd worked in. All he time the rain was just getting steadier and everything outside was getting wetter.


We decided against riding on northwards and, saying goodbye to Michael and Christine, Daniel and I headed back to Horsham. I routed us through Broadbridge Heath and over the golf course just for variety. Daniel appeared to enjoy the ride and it would be nice to see him on another one in the future.


For my ride back I cut through Tilgate Forest just to get some extra mud splatters over my bike and clothes before turning up back home having clocked up just over 34 miles.

Downs Link part I

I'm on time for a change - a nice bright morning and I was out and about and bang on schedule. I pulled up at HPP and sat waiting to see who would turn up.

Half past nine came round and I was starting to think about doing the ride all by myself, then Nat and David rolled up. As we were doing the introductions Ken arrived so we had a nice compact group as we headed out through Horsham and onto the Pedlars Way. Surprisingly we found Pedlars Way to be quite wet - the river even looked like it had broken its banks at some point overnight. The climb up through the woods was as hard as usual but Nat and David managed it well. Then we had the comfort of the lanes down to Copsale before gaining the Downs Link.

The surface was good and we were averaging about 10mph so it wasn't long before we reached Partridge Green and stopped for refreshments at Stans Shack. Glancing at my phone I realised I'd missed a call and voicemail from John C. He and John V were somewhere behind us on the track, so I let them know that we would wait at Stans for them. After finishing my coffee and cake I looked up just in time to see the two Johns arrive. Now there were six of us and we carried on at a fairly good pace, chatting as we rode along. We soon passed Henfield and it wasn't long before we had to leave the rail bed and head up that tough climb along the edge of the field - it's not steep but it's always hard work.

We had a breather at the top of the field before enjoying the brisk descent along the stony track. Passing the sewage plant we were now in Bramber and just past the roundabout we came across a new bit of routing for the Downs Link. Rather than using that awkward crossing over the A road, the new route carries on south to the river, goes under the A road before heading north and west to rejoin the original route. The remaining few miles alongside the river always take longer than you think they should. But as I was riding along I had a very good view of a parachute display team - I'm hoping I've got some of their display on my bikecam.

Reaching our lunch stop, the Red Lion, just opposite the old Shoreham footbridge. We queued up for our drinks and queued up for our burgers whilst Nat and David managed to blag a table for us to sit at. The air display restarted after its lunch break with an aerobatic display featuring a propellor driven stunt plane and what looked like a radio controlled model version of the same plane. I found it well choreographed but really wanted to see (and hear) a jet plane. Next up was a Hawker Hunter - immaculately painted in camouflage colours it sped past us, turned, came back, climbed up and into a loop. As it came out I commented that it looked like it wouldn't make it - I hoped I was wrong but it disappeared behind some trees and failed to reappear. Moments later two big clouds of black smoke told what had happened

I don't remember hearing the impact, but I did notice how quiet everyone was as they realised that the plane had come down. Someone said that it had come down in an empty car park but, not having heard or seen the ejector seat go off, I feared the pilot had been lost.

We decided that it was time to start for home and split into two groups - the two Johns headed back up the Downs Link to Christs Hospital where they'd parked their car, the rest of us headed for Brighton.

As we rode along it was noticeable that traffic was backed up for about a mile into Shoreham. We crossed the harbour lock gates just in front of a large ship that only had a foot or so of space on each side in the lock and pressed on into the headwind.


Reaching Hove Lawns, Nat and David said goodbye as they were going to enjoy some time at the seaside before catching the train home. this left Ken and I to cycle onwards as far as Madeira Drive where we stopped for an ice cream.


Refreshed, we rode up the A23 and then gained the NCN20 at Patcham. It's not a bad route but the constant noise from the traffic is very wearying. I was tiring and the hill at Bolney was really hard work so I insisted on a stop at the Bolney Stage. We found a table in the shade of a tree and knocked back a pint or so of water each.


Ken had suggested that we use the Slaugham Bridleway rather than a frontal ascent of Handcross Hill and I reckon this was a good idea - it was shaded from the blazing sun and although rougher than the new tarmac I'm sure it took less of a physical toll. From there on the route was either level or down and it wasn't too long before I was home having clocked up some 60 odd miles.


Sitting at home I felt overwhelmed with sadness as I realised that the plane crash was far worse than I had initially imagined. There was also the worry that apart from my fellow riders, several people I knew - family and friends - had been in the vicinity, thankfully all safe.


Now, several days later, I want to express my sympathy for all the people directly and indirectly affected by the accident but just cannot find any form of words that seem worth putting down in writing.