Dear fellow members and friends
1 February 2005
We've had to postpone the planned meal at the Thai Restaurant at the Beaufort in Queens Park Road at 8pm on Wednesday 9 February. The response was – well, rather minimal – so we're going to try again later in the year.
The Next Rides
Sunday 13 February
Clayton – Plumpton – Plumpton Green – Hassocks
Only 15/16 miles
A mile along the urban/suburban road towards Hurstpierpoint then down the little road that goes past Danny Park to Clayton. Follow Underhill Lane (being careful not to run down stray Hobbits) past the foot (emphasise foot) of Ditchling Beacon to Westmeston – continue on to Plumpton then north to Plumpton Green. More country lanes to the outskirts of Burgess Hill then down to Keymer and back to Hassocks station.
Catch 10.58 from Brighton Station or meet at Hassocks Station at 11.08. Aiming to return by 15.38 from Hassocks arriving Brighton at 15.50. Both Southern trains. No changes.
See previous circular for details of the scenic delights..
Sunday 27 February
Polegate - Pevensey Levels - Normans Bay – Hooe – Wartling – Polegate
25 miles
Bit longer but still pretty easy going, this combines some bits of rides we did last year – albeit not always in the same direction – and some new bits. We kick off as though we're going along the Cuckoo trail but turn off almost immediately along a connecting cycle route that takes us out onto the Levels and then down to Pevensey. Then we continue down to Normans Bay and into the outskirts of Bexhill. Then there's a couple of miles of suburban road before we're out on the open Levels again near Gotham (OK he can bring Robin too if he insists) and on to Hooe Common, Hooe and Wartling before dropping down again to Rickney, and heading across to join the Cuckoo Trail just up from the usual tea stop.
Pubs. I'd welcome advice on this from anyone with more up-to-date info. The Star at Norman Bay was closed last time we went that way. A better bet might be the Red Lion at Hooe. I was there in 1996 – but I can't remember anything about it – and it might well have changed in the meantime anyway.
Catch 10.21 from Brighton Station or meet at Polegate Station at 10.48. Aiming to return by 15.28 from Polegate arriving Brighton at 15.56 or 16.28 arriving 15 56. All Southern trains. No changes.
Report of Sunday ride
Sunday 30 January
Berwick circular by Sue Pringle
Seven of us, Ian our leader, Joyce, Fred and Sue and three new recruits, Tessa, Helen and Richard, arrived at Berwick Station for a fourteen mile round trip along quiet country lanes. Passing Arlington reservoir towards Chalvington and then on to Golden Cross, the route was consistently flat, providing a gentle easy ride. As each of us on the train (not Ian, fortunately) had tried to convince the others we were more unfit than they were, this was just as well!
Outside Berwick station: Helen, Joyce, Ian, Sue, Tessa and Richard
The weather was dry, cloudy and mild enough for Joyce to wear fingerless gloves for the morning ride.
The Lamb Inn, Ripe
At Golden Cross we stopped to look at the pub, but decided it was a bit early for lunch, and moved on to Ripe where we had a tasty meal at The Lamb Inn. There the group began by regretting the lost art of conversation, and went on to converse on a wide range of subjects with a particularly informative bout on politics. So in the Clarion, at least, discussion is still alive.
After lunch
In the afternoon we followed the line of the Downs, cycling along to their left, and keeping them in sight for several miles. The day was slightly dull with cloud and no sun to liven the fields so this vision of height and space lifted the landscape, offering us perspective - there was a world beyond these moving green fields.
Ian leads us down quiet country roads
Ian had designed this ride for maximum culinary satisfaction, and soon after leaving Ripe we arrived in Selmeston and were given the option of stopping for tea at Silletts Cottage restaurant. There were no dissenters. We settled into the comfortable front room of the old farmhouse for afternoon tea.
Time for tea
Merangues with butterscotch sauce for someone!
It was difficult to get back on the bikes after all this food and drink, but we managed it, cycling a short distance back to Berwick station to catch train or car back home. Arriving a bit early for the train some of us went for a short spin to see the Cormorants on Arlington reservoir.
Arlington reservoir
What a satisfying way to spend a day! Thank you Ian for organising this ride.
Sue P.
And thank you – and everyone else – for coming. I can only add that when Joyce went to check she found that we'd arrived at the Golden Cross before opening time – which throws a slightly different light on our restraint!
Boots!
Ian