Here's this week's news and reports...

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RIDE REPORT
The Bluebell Railway 17/02/08

9 riders met up at East Croydon. We used the Group Save offer to get 4
tickets for the price of 2 and split the costs between everyone. I
left the ticket buying a little bit late and a huge queue nearly
scuppered our chance to get the train. We literally had seconds to
spare with the guard frantically blowing his whistle as we got on.
Good job we made it as there were another 5 at East Grinstead and 1
waiting out at Horsted Keynes station making a total of 15.

We started with a short section of the Worth Way. It's an old railway
line from Three Bridges to East Grinstead, now a Sustrans route and
continues the other side of the town as the Forest Way. However, that
was our only off-road of the day and we were soon on the lanes.

Just outside East Grinstead is Saint Hill Manor, the former home of L
Ron Hubbard and the worldwide HQ of Scientology. Followers believe
that when all the other churches reach the size of Saint Hill, details
of the next two levels of Scientology will be released. As it's a
beautiful Georgian Manor house set in extensive grounds which can be
glimpsed through the hedges further along the lanes, they might be in
for a long wait. Just along the same lane is the less controversial
Deers Leap mountain bike park.

A sharp drop down towards the massive Weir Wood Reservoir is followed
by a long drag back up to Sharpthorne with salvation offered in the
form of fantastic views of the water to your left. More great views
can be had from the lanes as we glided gently down toward Horsted
Keynes station, our first stop.

The Bluebell Railway was the first steam railway to be preserved, way
back in the early 60s. We used club funds to buy everyone a platform
ticket as I'd overlooked the fact that you need to pay to get to the
refreshments kiosk if the trains are running. A special train with an
"auto coach trailer" pulled into the station whilst we drank tea.
After the steep climb back out of the station, it's fairly plain
sailing to lunch at the main Sheffield Park station although a
puncture delayed us for a few minutes. We passed the upmarket Trading
Boundaries rural retail complex and the National Trust's Sheffield
Park Gardens on our way into the station, both worth a look if anyone
is back out this way.

Lunch is pretty basic at the station's pub but they have no problem
dealing with large numbers. A train arrived just as we parked up so we
joined a reasonable queue but all those eating had food within 10
minutes. There was a fair bit of steam train activity during our hour
there plus your platform ticket entitles you to look around the loco
shed and the little museum on the platform. One rider caught the steam
train back from here. No problem taking bicycles!

The terrain feels very fair to me - for every incline, there's a
descent soon after. However, some of the longer climbs on the return
were starting to sap energy from a few riders' legs. Climbing to
pretty West Hoathly was particularly taxing but soon after there was a
descent of over 100m down to Kingscote Station, the northern most
station on the Bluebell line. We couldn't afford an afternoon stop as
the trains from East Grinstead are hourly and we needed to catch the
next one but we pulled up for a quick look.

Although Kingscote is nearly in East Grinstead, you're still left with
2 significant hills to get up. We had enough time for those who wanted
to walk and still had 10 minutes spare when we arrived at the mainline
station. We'd ridden for 30 miles and were out for 6hrs plus
travelling time. The pix are on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157603925710598
or
http://tinyurl.com/2hmer9

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BEDDINGTON PARK

10 riders came out for a great new route up to the Woodcote Green
nursery. It was a clear day but absolutely freezing! The next ride is
on 15th March and then we go weekly from 19th April. We really need
some new leaders for this. If you want to put something back into the
club, let me know if you can spare one or more Saturday afternoons to
take a ride on. We'll help out with everything you need and give you
clear directions for the route. If all the regular riders just did one
each, we'd be fixed up until the winter comes again. Go on - give it a
go!

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MIDWEEK MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE

Anyone free for an off-road but mostly flat ride on Tuesday? It's
scheduled to be dry until then. Start at Redhill, lunch at a pub
somewhere. About 30 miles, steady/easy pace. (Thanks to Marion for
sending this route through!!!)

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NEXT WEEK

It's a PHC+ ride next week. That means slightly quicker and slightly
further than normal. We're heading out to Downe so it's a hilly ride -
be prepared for the 1 in 4 just after the morning stop. Lunch is at
Brasted and we'll ride the Pilgrims Way on the return with a stop at
Beaver Water World's cafe before the nice long descents back into
Croydon. 9:30 at the library.

Anyone wanting to offer an easier alternative should feel free to post
their own ride up on the list. I'll offer a few suggestions if anyone
is stuck for ideas.

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

http://www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk