Last year’s October ride from Weybridge,
and the previous year, headed for the Surrey Hills in bright sunshine to view the
autumn colours, so what could possibly go wrong in 2020?
Clearly others were optimistic too, as we
mustered 19 in 4 groups at the start, an increase over previous years, and as I
rode to the start in sunshine and light winds optimism seemed justified.
Our lunch destination was The Compasses in
Gomshall, rarely visited by us, possibly because it is rather too close. Reports
culled from the archives in 2012
and 2013
were good. But for this year it possessed that vital facility, a covered outside eating area, enabling us to remain strictly legal,
though not altogether warm.
Departures went well with very separate
groups leaving promptly. We took the newly surfaced path from Weybridge Station
through the Brooklands banking and straight down the runway/go-kart track/skate
park. Muddy Lane was muddier than on the recce but still passable.
Thereafter it was mainly familiar lanes. I
had incorporated a loop up to Winterfold and down past Peaslake for a longer
morning session, to be compensated by a short after lunch route to get people
home before it was too dark. Recces confirmed that the route was ok and there was a bailout route from Shere if needed.
First off was Steve Duffin’s group. He reports:
I arrived at
Cafe One in the High Street at 9.30 am having emailed my group members to meet
there in order to keep separate from everyone else including B riders. I
suggested our first group of A riders set off at 10 to allow for better gapping
between groups. So, Neil Warland, Dave Ward, Simon and I left at 10 am, picking up Mark Gladwyn en route at Weybridge Station. The route
through Brooklands was really unusual and out into the countryside past Byfleet
and through Ripley was dry and very pleasant. It started raining going out of
Shere, but not badly, but the waterproofs were justified. The roads were busy
and full of mud from the banks, nevertheless we arrived at the pub in light
rain at 12.08 pm.
Ten minutes
after we arrived the heavens opened with heavy rain. After that, the third
group arrived led by Neil Crocker, quickly followed by Frances' second group.
We tried drying out with a space heater, but it was ineffective. We left at
1.15 losing Mark Gladwyn who kindly tried to help Mike Morley with a broken
derailleur hanger on his new electric bike. We cycled in dry weather until
Ryka's Cafe where Dave decided to carry on home. A wise choice because I got
caught in heavy rain at about 3.30 in Epsom.
The ride was
very pretty with the autumn leaves and the unusual route was appreciated by
everyone. It was so good to see everyone out, despite the rain, so thanks to
you all!
Second group
was led by Frances Stewart:
We set off
promptly and by the time we got to our first climb Staple Lane everyone was
truly warmed up. The weather changed to light rain so we continued through
Shere and headed for Winterfold. Beautiful autumnal colours kept us smiling and
we arrived on time at 12.45 for lunch. Strange to see we had been overtaken by
Neil's group but perhaps they were not as nutty as us to keep pedalling in the
rain!
It cleared by
our departure and turned out to be a lovely afternoon so we continued without
tea stop. I believe most of us got home dry or close to it.
A lovely route
and great groups who helped keep me on track throughout the day.
Next was Neil Crocker with Brian, Ged,
Dave Jackson:
Unlike last week's cultural extravaganza,
this week's theme was to be autumn colours and rain. We did however stop to
marvel at the banking of the Brooklands racing circuit and then look through
the gates of the Brooklands Museum at the Concorde.
The rain started as we passed Wisley but
didn't amount to much until it started to get much heavier as we descended
Combe Lane. In Shere we sheltered under a building for a few minutes to see if
the rain would stop. When it abated a bit we started to climb up the hill out
of Shere but the rain returned even heavier than before. My glasses steamed up,
I couldn't read the Garmin, and I wasn't enjoying it much. So I made a decision
- rather than turn right towards the hills I turned left towards lunch.
There were murmurings in the peloton about
being off-route but within three minutes the route miraculously reappeared on
the Garmin! A quick roll downhill and we were at The Compasses for lunch.
The afternoon was a relaxed ride back to
Dorking followed by the climb of Little Switzerland in glorious sunshine and
blue skies.
Finally, my
group comprised John Bassett, Alan Imeson, newcomer Steve Foster, and ever vigilant
Dave Bartholomew as back marker.
For us the
rain started around Brooklands, but but did not amount to much in the morning.
However we became very aware of how much it must have rained earlier with the
roads a sea of mud around Winterfold and Peaslake. With one puncture (mine) and
a minor mechanical we arrived at The Compasses around 1.45, just as Neil’s
group were leaving.
We met Mike
Morley at the pub, nursing a very broken looking bike, but thankfully he was taken
home shortly after by his daughter. Mike, we all hope you are ok, and are now
reunited with your bike.
Lunch took a while, Dave’s cheese sandwich
seemingly stretching the resources of the kitchen. I felt rather embarrassed as
he had to watch us enjoying our various hot meals.
We were back on the road at 3pm, the peloton
declining the opportunity of a direct route home in favour of a climb up to Abinger.
Unfortunately on the final climb of Hollow Lane up to the A25 we were overtaken
by a huge hailstorm, and with hardly any shelter I felt very cold. Thereafter it
was a cold descent on the A25 to Balchins Lane and a muddy entry to Dorking on
the cycle path. Not surprisingly there were no takers for tea in the open at
Ryka’s and we split up there. I’m sure everyone was very wet, but hopefully all
got home without further incident.
Special thanks to Dave Bartholomew for back
marking in such conditions, especially following a long wait for his lunch.
Thanks everyone for coming out yesterday, and especially
the ride leaders for guiding their groups throughout the day.
Welcome to winter riding. Next Wednesday will
be better weather!
