Malcom Campbell once owned the park grounds and the Manor House which once stood there, now a pub/eatery stands on the site. As kids we would fish in Campbells lake which it was known as locally and still is to the older generations, nowadays it is just Tilgate lake. The original grounds were mahoosive and the Barclays bank near 3 bridges railway St stood as the was N/E gate house entrance to the estate. Credit to CBC though as they maintain and manage the park excellently and it is one of the most popular parks in the county, with kids adventure activities , inc zip wires etc and a nice nature centre with lots of exotic and endangered species.
I recall carrying out some forestry work at a small industrial complex somewhere within Tilgate for Tilhill when I first left school. I often wonder what happened to the estate, but would have no idea where it even was. I expect that it has been redeveloped several times since 1982!
As for rides, the Boxing Day ride didn't exactly go to plan! When I serviced both bikes last week, I hadn't at that stage received a new front sprocket for the hard tail, so foolishly just fitted the old one back on again whilst I waited for delivery. I should have known better, and also registered that all wasn't quite sounding right yesterday, but as I have a constant battle with the 11 speed SRAM set up, I put the poor gear changes and rumble down to that.
Within the distance of the ride today, chainsuck reared it's ugly head again, and that was ride over. New sprocket now fitted a moment ago, and all is good again, or as good as an SRAM 11 speed set up is ever going to be for my riding. Job tomorrow is to get a Shimano 10 speed set up in the January sales, married to a Sunrace MX3 cassette, I can once again look forward to hassle free riding.
Not a good ride.
Totally my fault, and not that of the motor system.
but she is 30 years younger than me.
