it was all a bit wet this morning, so no escort duty for me (other than the walk to the bus stop) so I sat around prompting Metcheck who came up with the goods at about eleven. So, off to the Junction, train to Horsham, a bit of faffing around in the town centre, then southwards, and a bit east, to Christ's Hospital, Barns Green, Coolham and Storrington. The minor road turned in to the B2139, which, other than the knobbly tarmac, was very pleasant, going up and down gently for most of the way with a couple of little stand on the pedals bits just before Storrington.
The road then turned west, into the wind, and I struggled to get a rhythm going through Amberley, and then to Houghton, where I arrived at...
the Sussex equivalent of the Darien Gap. There are no paved roads from Amberley to Arundel, but the map does show footpaths and one connection via an unmade road. I thought I'd try the riverside path from Houghton to South Stoke, but this was, for the most part, unrideable. So, having taken almost an hour to wander up and down slopes and through puddles and around tree routes I tried the shorter path back to Amberley, over the new bridge - but beyond this the two smaller bridges were closed for repair.
So, from South Stoke to Arundel, past zillions of 4x4s bearing people to the Arun for 'watersports' and train home, with one more route (the one recommended) to try out, and happier for having seen a little slice of Sussex that, hitherto, I'd not travelled.
but really enjoyed it and feel better for doing it.
and hopefully ill go by bike not car-ill see how sore i am in the morning
