Club Run to Mark Cross Garden Centre

Club Run to Mark Cross Garden Centre

Sunday 28th July by Paget Cohen

Over the small rise out of Cross-in Hand I spotted an unmistakeable LWCC white and green jersey in the distance and set off in lukewarm pursuit.  I thought it might be newbie Brent, but when I finally bridged between Blackboys and Framfield I found it to be Charlie M spinning his way to Uckfield.  A good turn out for the Summer - Ian McG, Stuarts A & K, Si Farmer, Dave Hodgson, Alan Lloyd, Mark L and Terry on his sparkling new Da Rosa.  Another chap not in team kit just wanted to discuss the quality of televisions from Argos and service at the New Inn, so we sped off when his back was turned.

Standard out run, albeit in the wrong direction - Palehouse Common, Easons Green, Hawkhurst Common, Foxhunt Green, Lions Green and Horam.  Weaving through the traffic queueing for the roadworks we turned left for Marle Green and Grove Hill, left down Cinderford Lane and straight across to Stunts Green without incident.

Having killed some time and eaten up some miles we finally oriented in the direction of our tea stop and something worth writing home about.  For some reason Ian took the 2nd right at Trolliloes otherwise we might have avoided am awkward moment with an SUV.  There was no avoiding the peppering of potholes across the lane by Trolliloes Bridge and Mr Lloyd drew the short straw as his rear tyre deflated as we started up Iwood Lane.  Once the tube was replaced we just about got going again on the steep gradient only for Alan's tyre to go again.  Mr L was all for turning back, but our leader was having none of it so we were soon all riding again.

Into Rushlake Green we turned up Middle Lane and onto the last leg of the route I take when I cycle home from work.  Thus after almost 2 hours of riding I found found myself barely 1/2 mile from home and ducking down Newick Lane, whose ups and downs strung us out before we re-amalgamated in Mayfield.  Once through the High Street we faced only one more valley and climb before the tea stop where we met Dom and realised we'd temporarily left Terry behind somewhere.

Either my memory is failing me or the garden centre cafe if much larger than it once was;  good job too as food and service were excellent and it's understandably popular.  Back on the road Simon was keen to get back so Charlie and I kept him company through Lake Street, Coggins Mill and Scotsford Road causing us all to miss Terry's unfortunate accident, but add some more climbs if not much mileage to make a total of 47.  Rain had been threatened, and most of my colleagues had long-sleeves and or rain jackets, but lucky old me just about got away with it.