Sunday, 25th May

  Horley – Maplehurst – Capel

 Ride report

Given the typical Bank Holiday weather, I was fortunate to have picked the only decent day for my first attempt at leading a C&M ride. Instead of the forecast showers, there were only a few drops just before I left home and the rest of the day was generally sunny, if rather breezy.

Eleven of us (including Ann in part-preparation for her 24-hour race) met at Waitrose Horley, most armed with Waitrose cards to make use of the free coffee offer – great value! After a rather drawn-out elevenses – giving me time to have two coffees and for the two Petes to have a two-course breakfast – ten of us (minus Bob) set out for Sussex.

I had tried to find some quiet lanes, which is not easy in this area, but after the usual route south down the Balcombe Road, we took a left and then right at Shipley Green, over the roundabout near Copthorne and then left again to take a narrow lane (Old Hollow). We proceeded on southwards, through the undulations of Tilgate Forest, finally turning right for Handcross on the B2110.

Passing near the Balcombe water tower landmark (named such, although nearer to Handcross than Balcombe), we eventually took a left through Handcross and down to Staplefield, where we avoided the temptations of the Jolly Coopers and turned right up Slaugham Road, finally coming to the T-junction with the B2110 where we turned left for Little Beeding. This road is rather busy and we sped along as quickly as possible for a couple of miles before turning right towards the A281. At the junction with the Horsham Road, we did a quick right and then left into Newells Lane which wound its way down quietly to Maplehurst. By this time several people were indicating a thirst and we arrived at the White Horse by 1.15 – not bad for an 11.30 departure and a ride of just over 20 miles.

The White Horse was as welcoming as ever, with a great selection of ales and ciders (some up to 7.5%! ). We sat in the garden which was bearable in the sunshine but very chilly in the shade. We managed to drag ourselves away by 2.30 and proceeded to Copsale where we took Broadwater Lane back to the A281, passing straight over and up to Hammerpond Road. Here the usual undulations took us past the Hammer Pond where we took a left and then another left towards Colgate and, finally the Faygate roundabout on the A264. We were on the homeward stretch! I took a less usual route to Capel, bypassing Rusper by weaving via Wimlands, Green Lane and Friday Street. The usual vast array of cakes greeted us at the church. The courgette cake I tried was very moist and rather gingery – one to try again another time! After lounging in the sun, we made our various ways home. For me, back via Box Hill, it was 76 miles door to door – a good ride on a good sunny day. I hope everyone else enjoyed it, too.

Helene