Arun Crossings Ride, Pulborough Station Start. DA Event.
Colin led this ride with some people riding to the start, some coming by train and some by car. I (Edwin) am writing this report on behalf of Colin. I had dusted off (literally) my Mountain Bike after several years lack of use and took the train up from Bognor.

Gathered at the station from Bognor/Chichester there was myself, Colin, Chris, Richard Carlisle, Nicola and Tom. From Arun/Adur there was Dave Galle, Dave Fox, John Wickens, Richard Boulton and Barry. We were also joined by Bob from Billingshurst not a member of a Section who had heard about the Ride.

Weather was hot and sunny reaching 26c. We took lanes north from Pulborough Station up Codmore Hill and then on a track making our first crossing of the Arun at Patlingham Quay Farm. Then more tracks coming out on the Cold Harbour road between Fittleworth and Wisborough Green. We were grateful to turn right avoiding the big climb little knowing that Colin had it stored up for the afternoon.

Our taste of Tarmac was short lived as we soon turned right off the road onto the Wey South Path taking us via another Arun Crossing to Lee Place and north on the track to Wisborough Green with another Arun crossing. On route we met Alan and Liz who were making their own way and joined us for Coffee at Penelopes Cafe, Wisborough Green.

We continued north on more lanes and tracks to our lunch stop at the Haven. Here we met 7 riders from Horsham Section including Roger Nash celebrating 10 years to the day since he joined the Horsham Section. We also met our Walberton Pond group and John Maxim, Brian, Sue and Graham who had arrived on lightweight road bikes which were not going anywhere near any rough tracks.

We continued with the ride heading south on the lane turning off onto a track at Oakhurst to cross the Arun and come out at Newpound Common and a few hundred yards of Tarmac before heading east on another track via Paplands Farm and over the Arun again and back to the lane and down to Newbridge and on to Wisborough Green for tea. We met Alan, Liz, Tom, Barry and Ernie who were making their own way.

We headed south on the usual track from Wisborough Green but then took a bridlepath west. Here we encountered our first muddy patch. This was luckily quite short and in contrast with the rest of the day which had been dry and hard packed.

We came out on the Coldharbour lane and this time had the steep climb of 15% plus where I engaged my emergency Shimano Super Low Megarange 34 tooth rear cog.

We descended part way but then took a track across to Stopham Bridge and down to the old bridge over the Arun at the White Hart. For completeness we also did the main road bridge and then back over the old bridge and on to Pulborough Station.

Mileage from and back to Pulborough was 28.5. Well done to Colin for an excellent route much of which was totally new to many in the group including myself. We would plan to repeat the ride as a DA Event at the same time next year.

If you want to ride some or all of the route Colins route sheet is now on the DA Website, follow the link below

Route sheet link

Edwin for Colin