A smattering of light rain at the start didn’t deter the riders who gathered at the bandstand in Horsham Park on Saturday morning for the (inaugural?) winter ride to Southwater.
We were especially pleased to welcome Chatter Cheema, HDC’s Healthy Walks Co-ordinator.
The rain passed as we headed out of town. Rather than taking the more direct route along the Pedlars Way (which is very muddy in winter) we instead took the scenic route along Comptons Lane and then Sedgwick Lane before crossing the A24 on Southwater Street.
This route had the advantage of breaking down the climb out to Southwater into manageable chunks – not that everyone on the ride was convinced!
As we approached Southwater we took advantage of the delightful shared-use “secret path” that runs all the way from Southwater Street to Easteds Lane.
Once safely ensconced in the Southwater Country Park café, lashings of tea and coffee and – exceedingly large! – slices of cake were consumed and lively conversation ensued (not all about cycling!) before it was time for us to head back.
For the return trip the main party followed a route along Kerves Lane but a pair on mountain bikes took the more adventurous (and quicker) route down the Pedlars Way.
Creating a safe, direct, all-weather route between Southwater and Horsham remains a key aim of the forum. You can read more here.
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