Starting much further South than usual at Tanhouse Farm, I had the opportunity to look at lesser used Sussex lanes when planning the route. Mindful of the fact that some have to travel 20+ miles just to get to Tanhouse and that it’s early in the year, so our Summer fitness is yet to arrive, I decided to revisit Brian’s route from April 2019 BC (Before Covid).
Andy H, Clive and I recce’d the route and decided it worked but with a change of lunch spot to the Fox Inn at Bucks Green. In the event numbers signing up were lower than usual so only 2 groups were needed.
The forecast a week ahead had shown a high chance of rain but as the day drew near this reduced to almost nothing but the weather didn’t let us off altogether as there was a heavy SW wind making the ride to Tanhouse challenging, let alone the next 20+ miles!
I set off first with Andy H, Mike, Steve D and Patrick. We turned out of Tanhouse and the challenging uphill into the headwind was every bit as brutal as I’d feared. Nevertheless, we were soon into Sussex and travelling through Warnham, Broadbridge Heath, Barns Green and Billingshurst. At Wisborough Green we passed the Cricketers Pub and due to the tough headwind I wondered if it had been a mistake not to stop there. However, as we turned right there the wind swung behind us and suddenly our fitness kicked in as we sailed towards Bucks Green. Since Tanhouse we had seen many beautiful displays of bluebells and also new lambs in fields.
At the Fox Inn we arrived to a warning that a table of 35 had just been seated and might be before us in the kitchen. In the event, we didn’t have to wait too long for our food which was delicious.
Not so worried about the return journey with every expectation of a tailwind all the way home it nevertheless felt breezy and blustery (and not always behind us) on the way to Leatherhead. Here we all stopped at Charlie & Ginger to fill up on flapjacks and brownies to see us home.
An enjoyable day out thanks to the good company of everyone there.
Clive’s report is next.
Shortly after starting out for Tanhouse Farm there was a little bit of drizzle and a lot of ominous looking dark clouds which made me doubt my choice of clothing. I had stopped to double check the forecast when Janice rode by, so I joined her for the ride out to Tanhouse.
In the event the weather turned out very well, as the forecast had predicted, with plenty of sunshine and blue sky, but with blustery winds. I had seven in my group including, Sue C, Gill H, Daves F and W, Guy and Ged. We set off from TanhouseFarm in to a headwind that was to last for the next 33km until the route turned North at Wisborough Green. Along the way we cycled along some very pretty lanes made all the more pretty in the spring sunshine. With bluebells in the woods, lambs in the fields and even some wild garlic here and therewhich was of particular interest to, I think, everyone in the group.
We arrived at the Fox Inn in Bucks Green for lunch and I wasgiven the sad news that there was no ham for the ham sandwich that I had pre-ordered! But “all’s well that ends well” - I had beef brisket instead. Everyone enjoyed the pub and the food, but we couldn’t rest for long and had to get back on the road. But, before that, the obligatory photo outside the pub.
The Fox Inn
After lunch we had a short sharp climb up the hill just past the Milk Churn and even more country lanes. One, in particular, stood out for the view and lack of traffic – I wish I could remember their names. It wasn’t too long before we were back in known territory and in the familiar company of the ducks (and what might be a goose or possibly an Aylesbury duck?) at the pond on Weare Street.
Three of us stopped for tea at Charlie & Gingers in Leatherhead before heading home.
Thanks to all my group and to Dave W for back marking, and thanks to Janice for organising it all.
Author: Janice
