Last Sundays’ ride to Washbrook Farm at Hurstpierpoint saw 17 riders start off from the Angel led by Mike Ormerod. The weather was unseasonably warm for the time of year and as a dry day was in prospect several members took the opportunity to stretch their legs.
It didn’t take long for riders such as John Dredge recuperating from a knee operation to start pushing the pace with Bruce and Jo on the tandem hammering along and young Josh as usual showing that he may be new to club rides but he likes to be out in front.
Somewhere between Leigh and Charlwood we seemed to lose Frank who having shot up the climb to the Fox Revived missed seeing the entire peleton pass by as we made for Charlwood and on to Lambs Green and Faygate.
Despite a stiff head wind the group successfully made it up the climb to Colgate and on to Bucks Head where the route headed East to Warninglid then South to Twineham and through Aldbourne to reach Hurstpierpoint after 50 k.
After having taken on fuel at the farm shop café it was time for the return home with a strong breeze at our backs which helped us on the climbs up to Ansty and the climb from Staplefield to the water tower at Brantree Park followed by the scenic route to Turners Hill, Copthorne, Smallfield and back.
We may have started out with 17 but due to defections en route due to family commitments etc as the photos shows only some of us made the entire trip of 61 very enjoyable miles at a steady pace.
Graham Haysom.