From Mike
Eight of us left a rather cloudy ‘summer of 2009’ day to head for elevenses at Lingfield. Passing by Chaldon church it seemed we might be joined by another group of riders – headed by a team Katyusha jersey – but they stopped for a break at Bletchingley golf club. At elevenses, some of us tackling the huge scones at the garden centre tea room, Mike announces the competition of the day. Why is the Wetherspoon pub at Redhill, our tea stop, called the Sun? The prize is tea.
Slightly late – the scones take some eating – we set off for the High Weald. Along the delightful lane between Dormansland and Cowden we pass the South-East Road Club heading East Grinstead way. Then we are through Hartfield and making our way across Ashdown Forest past Chuck Hatch. Paul’s Garmin computer registers 211 metres and there are great views, especially towards the South Downs. Continuing southwards past Duddleswell we turn off to the little village of Fairwarp and lunch at the Foresters Arms. This is in a great location, has a pleasant garden, and was enjoyed by all.
However we cannot laze about for too long as we have to head homewards. We take a little country road across to Nutley thence to Chelwood Common. At this stage ‘summer of 2009’ sets in and we contend with light but incessant drizzle. Through Sharpthorne, Turners Hill and Smallfield we then pedal around Redhill Aerodrome and on to tea.
But nobody has won the prize! The answer is that Richard Carrington built an observatory in 1861 at Redhill and made observations of sunspots (see jdwetherspoon.co.uk). While at the Sun we celebrate Cav’s stage win and Wiggo’s fourth place and talk about travelling to Rotterdam for the start of next year’s tour.
It may not be a ‘BBQ summer’ but the great thing is it still gives us the chance for longer rides. Mike finishes with 89 miles on the clock but then again he does cycle from the ‘gateway to the south’.
Slightly late – the scones take some eating – we set off for the High Weald. Along the delightful lane between Dormansland and Cowden we pass the South-East Road Club heading East Grinstead way. Then we are through Hartfield and making our way across Ashdown Forest past Chuck Hatch. Paul’s Garmin computer registers 211 metres and there are great views, especially towards the South Downs. Continuing southwards past Duddleswell we turn off to the little village of Fairwarp and lunch at the Foresters Arms. This is in a great location, has a pleasant garden, and was enjoyed by all.
However we cannot laze about for too long as we have to head homewards. We take a little country road across to Nutley thence to Chelwood Common. At this stage ‘summer of 2009’ sets in and we contend with light but incessant drizzle. Through Sharpthorne, Turners Hill and Smallfield we then pedal around Redhill Aerodrome and on to tea.
But nobody has won the prize! The answer is that Richard Carrington built an observatory in 1861 at Redhill and made observations of sunspots (see jdwetherspoon.co.uk). While at the Sun we celebrate Cav’s stage win and Wiggo’s fourth place and talk about travelling to Rotterdam for the start of next year’s tour.
It may not be a ‘BBQ summer’ but the great thing is it still gives us the chance for longer rides. Mike finishes with 89 miles on the clock but then again he does cycle from the ‘gateway to the south’.
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