After a week or two of icy weather and the over indulgence of Christmas and New Year, it seems that A group riders were raring to go for this first ride of the year in mild weather despite the mist (MET office) and fog (BBC) forecasts. In the event it was neither foggy nor misty but it was drizzly low cloud all day long.
Maybe also it was the promise of a shorter, flatter ride that prompted 27 to sign up. At this point I need to apologise as it turned out to be shorter only for those living towards Dorking. Indeed, Strava tells me that Dave V put in a very commendable 72 miles as well as leading a group. Well done Dave! As for flatter, the computer said it was a mere 1,000 or so feet. However, the reality on the road was just a tad more than 2,000 feet so thank you for not reporting me under theTrade Descriptions Act, nor complaining (within my earshot).
As I had to be in London early evening I had elected to lead the first group comprising Dave B, Hans, Neil W, Patrick, Andy H, Andy C, Clive and me. We left the warmth and hospitality of Dorking St Martins and my group were ready and waiting only for me to find that my combination lock would not release. 10 minutes of struggling, re-entering the combination, trying different combinations even though i knew the first to be correct, pushing, pulling and wriggling the lock were to no avail. By now Dave and Frances' groups had politely waited a short while but had since departed. I suggested that my group go ahead without me and whilst that was being debated Neil W gallantly worked on the lock further until miraculously (and with no small amount of brute force) it released. It seems that the locking mechanism had seized up as it's not a lock that I use very often. With the lock ceremoniously dumped in the bin we were at last able to set off.
Feeling my lack of miles and time on the bike we pushed forward and met Dave's group on the short sharp hill just after Henfold Lakes. Simon had needed to stop with a chain problem and so we were able to overtake. Further hills were traversed on the flat route and eventually we reached Rusper which more or less signalled the end of them. Somewhere around the outskirts of Horley we saw and passed Frances' group. Wetherspoons was busy and staff were thin on the ground but fortunately for us we were mostly served quickly.
After lunch the terrain was flat so we made good progress around the housing estates on the outskirts of Horley and then onto some less familiar lanes (the potholes were as familiar as ever though). Neil W had the misfortune of a puncture on Tilehurst Lane and whilst stopped we noticed there was a large patch broken glass. There was more at the end of the lane too which seemed a little suspicious. By Denbies and on familiar terrain I had to leave the group to press on home in order to be in time for my London train. My bike was as dirty as I've ever seen it by the time I got home!
Thanks to my group for their cheerful good company and in particular Dave B for ably backmarking and Neil W for releasing my bike in Dorking.It was great to be out cycling in the fresh air! Many thanks also to Dave V and Frances for sub leading and Dave for also helping with editing of the route.
Now to Dave's report.
Ride Report Dorking Horley 15 Jan
An enthusiastic bunch at Dorking enabled our “last” group to leave right on time.
Spirits among our group remained high judging by the chatter behind, even though we saw not a glimmer of sun all day.
We arrived at Jack Fairmain’s after 1 ¾ hours, earlier than I expected. Lunch in contrast was unexpectedly protracted, 1hour+ is a long time in ‘spoons, which was clearly understaffed even for January.
The afternoon started with a leisurely tour of Horley’s new housing estates, before some pleasantly quiet lanes back to Dorking which enabled a more purposeful pace.
Janice’s take on a classic route gave us just the right amount of post-Xmas exercise, and gave us a couple of surprise loops, not to mention the odd hill.
My group (Sue’s F& C, Diane, Paula, Gina & Gill, Simon and back marker Dave F) split on the run in to Leatherhead as riders headed directly home. Gina notably elected for climbing Box Hill, shrouded in thick cloud.
Arriving at Charlie & Ginger around 3.30, four of us stopped for tea where we met up with the survivors of the earlier groups.
Thanks to my group for your unfailing good humour, and especially to Dave F for high-visibility back marking.
Frances’ report follows.
There was a very keen group of cyclists when I arrived at Dorking and a 2025 buzz that the weather was a little warmer.
My group was a little smaller and after we saw that the first group were trying to unlock Janice's bike (cooking oil added!) we were the first group to set out.
We made a good pace out of Dorking, heading in Newdigate, Rusper direction and despite warnings there was no fog, just a little dampness in the air.
I did not realise that Steve W had in fact caught up with the group (after I not noticing he was late to the party) which was good news and our able back marker , Peter kept a watchful eye on us all. The initial first group passed us later but we had them in sight through Charlwood and arrived pretty much to Horley at a similar timeframe. Whilst there were some undulations getting there everyone was in good spirits and food arrived promptly.
The return was debated by us all out of Horley - over the railway bridge , under the tunnel (which was closed) an executive order was given to drag bikes over the bridge. Then we were on our way and the route via some housing estate, through a new road back via Doversgreen, Leigh and up the Punchbowl was very good with long stretches.
The greyness descended more as we headed back to Leatherhead , we also tailed the earlier group on the pathway. By the time we got to Leatherhead several of our group decided to head home, whilst some decided to stop for tea.
Great turnout in January on a lovely route. Thanks all.
Finally, Dave and Jennie I hope you’re feeling much better.
