I joined the bunch at Hookwood. From the centre of Horley we went south. I think Jake's planned route was via Shipley Bridge (B2037) but our actual route went the Wayfarers' way, Crawley outskirts then up Turner's Hill Road which well merits its five (and more) entries at FillThatHole.org.uk. Turning at the church, we sped down past Worth Abbey, over Balcombe Tunnel and through Staplefield to Slaugham mixing with a sportif along the way. The pub had food but only if ordered in advance so all went hungry or nibbled surreptitiously on produce from elsewhere. Over Ashfold Crossways and down to the hammer ponds was taken at a decent pace but we regrouped before Colgate and were still together for a round of cakes at Tanhouse Farm.
Saturday March 27
This FNRttC ride was a charity event with 120 starting from HPC at midnight, and very professional as Simon had made a risk assessment and signing-on sheets plus sag wagons for riders and bikes. Having the paper qualifications was my excuse; not that I had anything to do - no leading, no mechanicals; the smoothest/driest ride yet. A Penny Farthing (which shipped a pedal in Lonesome Lane), a "tall" bicycle (twiddled all the way up the Beacon) and lots of clunky MTBs are sights not normally seen on these rides. Cakes galore were on hand at the halfway point (the so called Horley Scout Hut around four miles from Horley!) We made Brighton in just over eight hours - quite an achievement as half had not tackled this distance before and I was home by ten thirty. The photographer has caught my better side - the back - so I've labelled my helmetted(!) self.
Sunday March 28
Once again I joined at elevenses, this time in Shere where the Palm Sunday procession was in full swing. A fine day produced a fine crop of cyclists including Lawrence in a CTC Central London group. Just five followed Ed out the door. His route had a simplicity - A25, A248, A3100 thus we arrived at the Jack Phillips in Godalming around 1220 so it was full Sunday lunches all round. Leaving around two, the way back was equally simple - A3100, the High Street cobbles, A25, A246. Keith and I took off towards the prison so here ends my tale.
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