Today we tried going in the other direction from Hartfield so see how the trail is.
This was an interesting ride with the leaves now displaying their autumn colours 🙂
it was also interesting as we had not been along this stretch before, unlike the western direction this has gated sections between roads, something to make life fun on the way back !
We set off only to be quickly slowed as we tried to work out which way the toddler in front was going, a situation quickly sorted by the appearance of her mum 🙂
From then on the odd dog seemed to be the only distraction likely to cause issues.
As mentioned the track had gates, these were open, designed to slow down riders as you had to pass through almost at right angles to the track. These are easy to master if you slow right down and use a slow gear, but you do need to plan how you go through.
I fell foul of one crossing where I went through in a high gear, turned the bend only to see a hill facing me ! cue one rapid downshift for boh sets of sprockets !
At Groombridge we turned round to come back and soon were going well – ever tempted fate ?
I saw a squirrel bound across the track some way in front of me, Iren found another that tried going under her wheel !!! cue squeals of horror and “what was that ?”
Then we came to another of those gates, with Iren leading, and she unfortunately got the approach all wrong and slipped off the bike, thankfully no damage done but I did need to straighten her saddle out.
From then on it was an uneventful ride back.
I think next time we will go West again but aim to go past Forest Row
