A&B Groups Sept 24th

This week's ride was scheduled to be a combined A & B one. However, despite the light rain weather forecast, there were in the region of 30 enjoying the tea and cakes at Redhill instead of the normally sparse group we get heading south. Too many to safely take on the road as one group, so, after a quick conference, it was agreed that Pete B should set off first with a predominately A group of 16 whilst Norman kindly volunteered to follow up with a predominately B group a discrete distance behind. Taking the cycle path out past the hospital and then lanes to Wasp Green and Outwood windmill, Toni gave us a demonstration of his bike handling skills by going in and out of a tramlinelike crack in the middle of the road without falling off. Across to touch the A22 and a climb up the foothills of Tilburstow before dropping down to Crowhurst and taking Gibbs Brook Lane and Hall Hill to reach Oxted. Unfortunately new man John (of the Belle Vue) touched wheels and came down. However, as this was right outside the Wetherspoons, he was soon able to lubricate his wounds. Lunch was served quickly (apart from the bar staff having to send out a search party to find the leader's ciabata) and we had just started eating when Norman and the B's arrived having followed a similar if not identical route. The afternoon started with the climb up Tandridge Hill Lane (or walk as some of us preferred) and then along to Botley Hill and the glorious drop down Beddlestead and Featherbed Lanes (provided you forget about the leg breaking 1 in 6 Hesiers Hill in between of course). The rain was returning as we climbed Gravel Hill before stopping for a welcome cup of tea at the cafe in the park just over the top. Fortunately the rain had stopped by the restart and so in was into the traffic of Croydon and Mitcham Common with riders peeling off at their preferred points.
62 miles for the leader and a stirling 78 for Frank C.