SUMMER HAZE

 There’s something masochistic about riding in summer. While you’re going, it’s fine. There’s a headwind, so the jacket and the jeans and the boots and the gloves and the helmet don’t feel so boil-in-bag. But as soon as you stop - well, that’s another story. 

Which is why I have a mental list of pubs with good gardens, and shaded parking. One such is the Wotton Hatch in the Surrey Hills. 

The food is good, there are non-boring non-alcoholic drinks on the menu, the garden is extensive and the parking not only has shady spots, it’s also paved. And the service is always friendly, even when they’re busy. 

Another good place, if you’re out and about early, is Bolney Vineyard, on the A272 near Brighton. Alas, their drive and pathway are gravel and somewhat pot-holed, but their cafe has an amazing view of the vines, and the breakfasts are great. 

WANDERING AND WONDERING

 Lately, I’ve been using up carryover leave. This has meant an ability to go riding during the work week, during off-peak hours, when both the roads and the pubs are quiet. I recommend this. Granted, there are  no Sunday roasts on offer, but nobody going down the scenic country routes, and no competing customers or crowds. 

Weekday riding is a great chance to explore little roads you don’t risk at the weekend, because they’re too choked with the kind of motorists who spend the week on public transport and generally don’t get enough practice at driving themselves - or paying attention to the existence of other road users. They’re probably more frustrating to get stuck behind than panel vans. 

 tried a new road - the A281- and a new pub. I’ve never been further on the A281 than the Chalet Cafe just outside Cowfold before, but this time I went all the way down to Hassocks, where I stopped for lunch at the Ginger Fox pub.

The A281 is a fun road - enough twists to be interesting and a surprisingly consistent speed limit between 40 and 50mph. I do like a consistent speed limit, especially if any changes are within 10mph. There should be a rule about not changing the limit by more than 10mph at a time - the roads that go 60-30-60-40-60-30 are a nightmare, especially when the signs posting the changes get overgrown in spring and summer. 

The A281 has a couple of rough tarmac patches and the odd corrugation, but tell me a road in the UK that doesn’t. (Please. I’d like to ride it).

The Ginger Fox was very pleasant. For a start, the parking is paved, always a bonus for the two-wheeled among us. The coffee is good, the food is better and their garden is a very pleasant place to sit (just beware of the beehives).