What with Birthday Rides and holidays, numbers were down at Cobham. Add to this the recent wet weather, especially yesterday, and the knowledge that the planned route for B Group was going to involve some off road cycling, and it was not really surprising that it was only a small group of nine adventurers who set off to face what mud there might be! They were Christine, Irene, Bernard, Robin, Johns G., S., M. and B., plus me, Gill, the leader. (Welcome to John Bellamy, a newish rider.)
Leaving Cobham on the Horsley Road, we turned off at the Drift Golf Course and approached West Horsley from this direction. At the roundabout on the A246 we went straight across on to Shere Road which provided the first challenge of the day - two steep climbs with a nice downhill section in the middle providing a bit of a boost for the second one. Continuing westwards we reached the start of the off-road sections, Drove Road, at the top of Staple Lane, which took us across to Newlands Corner. Yes, there were a few muddy sections but all were passable without too much difficulty, though Irene did suddenly find herself on the ground (luckily not in the mud!) at one spot. Views at Newlands Corner were magic - everything washed clean after yesterday's rain! On, on, still on Drove Road till we joined White Lane - a pleasant downhill ride. Cutting across to Pewley Down via a narrow footpath, we finally made the steep descent into Guildford down Pewley Hill, descending still further to the Castle grounds where we left our bikes before heading to the King's Head pub next door for lunch. Sitting at tables on the upper terrace, surrounded by boxes of flowers, we received very speedy service, as we were the first people to order food!!
After lunch we walked our bikes through the Castle Gardens, with Irene acting as guide, and admired the amazing floral displays. At the top of the High Street we struck out on the London Road until turning off to cross Stoke Park, skirted the Leisure Centre and came out at the R. Wey towpath and a Nature Reserve with a lake. This brought us to Jacobs Well from where it was the familiar noisy route by the A3 into Ripley and on to Ockham Bites for tea. Unfortunately, newcomer John B. punctured near the Ripley roundabout and was a bit late into tea. Sorry, John, we should have come looking for you! After this, it was On Home! The weather had been rather grey to start with but it had gradually turned into a lovely sunny afternoon.
Leaving Cobham on the Horsley Road, we turned off at the Drift Golf Course and approached West Horsley from this direction. At the roundabout on the A246 we went straight across on to Shere Road which provided the first challenge of the day - two steep climbs with a nice downhill section in the middle providing a bit of a boost for the second one. Continuing westwards we reached the start of the off-road sections, Drove Road, at the top of Staple Lane, which took us across to Newlands Corner. Yes, there were a few muddy sections but all were passable without too much difficulty, though Irene did suddenly find herself on the ground (luckily not in the mud!) at one spot. Views at Newlands Corner were magic - everything washed clean after yesterday's rain! On, on, still on Drove Road till we joined White Lane - a pleasant downhill ride. Cutting across to Pewley Down via a narrow footpath, we finally made the steep descent into Guildford down Pewley Hill, descending still further to the Castle grounds where we left our bikes before heading to the King's Head pub next door for lunch. Sitting at tables on the upper terrace, surrounded by boxes of flowers, we received very speedy service, as we were the first people to order food!!
After lunch we walked our bikes through the Castle Gardens, with Irene acting as guide, and admired the amazing floral displays. At the top of the High Street we struck out on the London Road until turning off to cross Stoke Park, skirted the Leisure Centre and came out at the R. Wey towpath and a Nature Reserve with a lake. This brought us to Jacobs Well from where it was the familiar noisy route by the A3 into Ripley and on to Ockham Bites for tea. Unfortunately, newcomer John B. punctured near the Ripley roundabout and was a bit late into tea. Sorry, John, we should have come looking for you! After this, it was On Home! The weather had been rather grey to start with but it had gradually turned into a lovely sunny afternoon.
(Gill Finlay)
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