Today was a DA Event organised by Horsham Section starting from Wisborough Green with a choice from four 25 mile loop rides starting and finishing at the Green.

Weather dawned bright and sunny down on the coast but that didn’t last long soon deteriorating into a long spell of rain or showers with SW gales. I took the train up aiming to alight at Billingshurst. Anne joined me at Barnham. At Pulborough the Guard announced that a tree had been blown onto the line near Billingshurst and the train was held up at Pulborough. When the Guard announced that a team had not yet arrived to clear the tree we decided to get off and ride on up to Wisborough Green.

We rode up the A29 for a few miles and then onto a back road and onto a path over fields and up to Wisborough Green.

We sheltered under the Gazebo put up by Horsham Section members. Bob was holding onto one pole to stop it blowing away. Barbara served us with drinks and cakes. John Maxim was there having got there early and already done a ride while it was still dry. Other members of Horsham and Arun Adur Sections arrived. Then Phil and Mary and friends Roger and Pamela arrived by car. Roger and Pamela had borrowed a Tandem and were giving it a go for the first time.

The 6 of us eventually set off into the rain with some wobbling from Roger and Pamela and a fair bit of trepidation especially going down hill, up hills and starting off. They provided us with a good amount of entertainment but overall did pretty well for a first ride on a Tandem especially with the travails to come in the afternoon.

We got to Cranleigh on various back lanes with a tail wind most of the way and stopped at the Garden Centre Café for lunch. After lunch we headed back with the rain easing to the occasional shower. After a few miles Rogers pedal fell off. Phil checked it out and it was soon apparent that the tread had worn inside the crank. The pedal was attached with toe-strap and tape with the idea of providing a platform to rest the foot on while the pedalling was done with one leg.

After a while Phil offered to give Roger a rest and swap bikes. Pamela decided to stay on the same bike so it was a partner swap to Phil and Pamela and Roger and Mary. Being in the wilds of deepest Surrey I am sure Partner swaps go on all the time!

All was not plain sailing as with Phil and Pamela riding on ahead Roger soon found the saddle was too high and he could hardly touch the pedals. I lent an Allen key to sort that out. We continued back via Plaistow and Kirdford and the sun was appearing as we arrived back at Wisborough Green.

We learnt that Harvey and Gill had come on the Club ride from Walberton Pond but had headed back earlier as we had been so late getting back.

Anne rode back home and I got the train from Billingshurst, this time without incident. My total mileage for the day was 41.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:18 BST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink