A Group April 9th

11s at Henfold Lakes - Picture from Terry

In sunny if somewhat chilly conditions there were around 30 Souwesters at Henfold Lakes - a vast improvement on C&M's zero last Sunday. Eventually 16 A Riders(Graham, Ed, Geoff, Grant, Ian, Irene, Johns S&B, Mike, Pam, Pete M, Ray, Rob, Steve, Toni, Wilf) headed towards Newdigate where due to a misunderstanding we lost Ian (loose bag). Pete M had an unhappy day, firstly unshipping his chain in Capel and secondly unlocking his cassette locknut before Ellen's Green. The resultant delays put us onto a revised course via the B2128 into Cranleigh where surprisingly Ian rejoined. We turned east and into the Little Park Thatch for a one o'clock lunch. The sunworshippers were in the majority enjoying the mainly warm garden. As usual service was generous and prompt, well almost! John B had to rush an oversized porkchop; unnecessarily as it turned when Geoff struggled to remove half a mudguard. By now it was two-thirty so a shortcut was needed. The virgins were in for a nasty surprise - the watery and potholed Tanhurst Lane. I'll mention no names but clearly there is potential for a walking section should we choose to start one. In contrast speeds in the high 30s were common on the long downhill into Dorking where a very leisurely tea was taken at Denbies. We went our various ways around half four; no idea of the miles as my speedo died on the way to Henfold. Graham Hill