Sunday November 4th 2007 Crawley Down

A healthy number assembled at North Cheam in weather too good for November. The haar was up in Headley but not for long. Here we found a road closure, followed by a second at Betchworth crossing – no problems. Past the Wonham Manor deer we rode before settling down to 11’s at Reigate Garden Centre. By now we were a dozen: Graham, Andy, Bob, Ed, Jake, John, Keith, Roger, Simon, Steve, Terry and newbie Kate. After Lonesome Lane, it was east to Outwood and south to the Hedgehog and beyond, before joining heavy traffic on the B2028. Thankfully a mile later we turned off into Crawley Down and found the Royal Oak hard by NCN21. The menu attracted buyers including moules for Simon; the meal enlivened by reports of Ann pinballing her way from Crawley via Turners Hill! At last we were away down the Worth Way before offroading beside the M23 north of Copthorne. After a tour de Horley, we crossed the A217 and headed towards Irons Bottom. Around here we lost Andy and then Simon off in search. On further cross-examination, it became clear that Andy had assumed the Fox Revived lay on our path - wrong. On the run-in we picked up Simon and then Andy at Brockham church. Trade in teas was brisk thanks to a goodly crowd drawn to the still smouldering bonfire. Our final road closure was a silent A24 – fatality just north of Ryka’s. Around 60 miles.