The timing was a bit off for this ride! A day earlier and the conditions would have been perfect. As it was, a weather front was passing by, which produced some rain, not heavy but intermittent drizzle. So conditions were to be a little damp. Or so I thought! 😆
This route was mostly familiar, but I made a slight detour to include some new tracks. This turned out to be a great idea! One of the paths passed a lake with a neat overflow shute.
At the end of this track, I came across a patch of wild garlic, smelling fantastic! 🤢
As you can imagine! 😆
After a short stretch of road, I came to the next bridalway. This was delightful! It was a little sticky in places, but the views were lovely. I passed through a place called Deers Leap, where I had to lift my bike over a style.
A little further along this track, I noticed a sign warning that dogs must be kept on a lead due to lambing season. Yes, this can be a problem at this time of year.
This ride was a long one. I was now realising that I had set myself a challenge. It turned out to be my longest ride, according to my Garmin app! 😄
Gravetye Park is a beautiful place. After passing under the Bluebell Railway, I entered this massive park. Home to the Gravetye Manor Hotel.
I took my usual route through, but after a while, I came across a gate that I could not pass with my very heavy electric mountain bike. There was an alternative path which, although longer, would get around this nuisance. The park has been improved since I last passed through, with gravel tracks where previously there were just boggy paths. This made access much quicker.
The rain overnight made some paths very difficult, though. I was surprised how wet it was in some places, and had to use stepping stones (logs) to get past! 🤣.
Gradually, I was getting closer to home, but not before another surprise! A temporary fence blocking my path. This was a public bridalway, I thought. It can't be blocked! Then I noticed that it was a makeshift gate all along! I could swing it open after unhooking the clips. Silly me! 😊. A deer with full head of antlers was watching me.
Another great ride in the great English countryside. Slightly damp but still very enjoyable in the now warm evening sunshine which was now appearing between the clouds.
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