Slugwash and Spronketts

[Hal]

I am planning to ride down to Brighton this weekend Saturday 5th May. The route I have been trialling is almost all on small quiet lanes including ‘Slugwash’ on the way down and ‘Spronketts’ on the way back, much of it familiar to the Paul T style route (but without the dual carriageway).

Plan is to meet with the club run at 9:00 at CSS and get a group together. I have been averaging a bit above 16mph on this route for the last couple of weeks but expect this to be a minimum with a group. We will start off up Farthing down (just round the back of CSS) and head up to Bletchingly, then Outward and beyond to Ditchling. Last week I took in a couple of short sections of track/bridleway but we can avoid these if desired.

Café stop in Brighton on the seafront, and a stop at Handcross post office to buy supplies on the return. From Handcross I intend to cut across to Faygate and do the club run in reverse to Newdigate and then head up Box Hill.

Any takers? It’s about 100miles from CSS, bring a few energy bars, the weather should be good, but if not I’m going regardless!

Hal (on the red Litespeed) getting in the miles before the Fred Whitton.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Hal,

What dual carriageway?

Your ride sounds far more inviting than battling round the MOD circuit at Chertsey for a couple of hours........I do especially like Slugwash Lane.

Beyond Outwood, do you mean Turners Hill?

Take a left to Sharpthorne, through the village, then right towards Horsted keynes (I think Industrial Estate is mentioned on the signpost) and it is a long long long steady downhill run - glorious.

Then to Lindfield, Wivelsfield green, plumpton and Ditchling - NICE.

[Graham O]

I'll come along Hal....I also need to get some miles in !!

Whay time do you reckon well get back ?

[Hal]

Yes Paul it is nice. From Outward I take a left, right, left, to the Newchaple road, cross straight over onto a well made bridleway for about one km to hedgecourt lake, georgeous, then skirt round Felbridge past Standen house, Weirwood resovoir to just outside Shapthorn, then on a similar long lush decent towards Horsted Keynes to meet up with your route.

Grahame last time I passed through CSS at 8:30 and got back to Croydon at 4:00. We should be back around 5 on that working, prehaps earlier?

H

[Graham O]

Hal,

The allure of Chertsey is growing strong in me after last nights heriocs. I think I will be heading down to race on Saturday.

Apologies..

Graham..

[Hal]

Just a quick ad for my Brighton run tomorrow, best weather day of the weekend by the looks of things.

Go on you know you want to.

H

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Chertsey won the day, at least I didn't crash (and beat Adam apparently)

Did Brighton today and did include both Slugwash and Spronketts, but varied it a little.

[-Adam-]

We all know the truth Paul, theres even photographic evidence!

[Hal]

In the end it was just Graham and I that headed out. Graham was riding a touch faster than I would have chosen but no problems keeping up, and we made pretty good time getting down there. A jacket spud on the seafront and then turned to head back home, we were making good progress and riding pretty quick holding off the acid in the legs.

I suggested we make the turn to include box hill in the return and Graham agreed a little reluctantly but then proceeded to drop me on the climb. A really good run, I had 106 miles with an average of 17 when I got back which I was very happy with.

When next?

[Graham O]

Hal,

Love to have another go, but really should leave earlier next time.

Cheers for the ride and enjoy the lake district..

Ta,

Graham..