A Group 10 June '09

A dispiriting weather forecast was confirmed by a peep through the curtains. However, a break in the clouds encouraged a rainless sprint to St Martin’s, Dorking. The congregation swelled till near departure time, then once again the clouds closed in and the rain came down with what seemed like implacable malevolence. To go, or not to go? That was the question. Undaunted, a web-footed gaggle of cycling waterfowl waddled out to paddle forth. Behind them, peering out of the aquarium fronted porch of St Martin’s, the aquaphobic followers of the Church of Meteorology looked on in horror as they contemplated a hasty return to homesteads dry.

Thus, the amphibious flotilla set off for Holy Trinity, Westcott, comprising Brian, Ed, Jeff, John, Julian, Mark, Ray and Vic. No sooner had we commenced the climb of Logmore Lane than the sun was shining on the righteous. Perhaps we were rising above the clouds, the rain now history for the rest of the excursion. Emerging onto Coldharbour Lane, there were still a few more metres yet to climb to Coldharbour. The reward was an ergonomic freebie all the way from Christ Church down to Stane Street, no need to pedal even once! The same again to Ockley (this really is too easy), before we leave the Roman Way at Cathill Lane. As we pass the lane to the Church of St John the Baptist, some riders to the rear are distracted by a flash of lycra and find they are playing tag with the tailend of the B Group. Is somebody playing one big joke on us?

Reunited with the waiting vanguard, the fleet continues on its steady way through the familiar lanes of Walliswood and Ellen’s Green, to bypass Rudgwick and find its lunchtime mooring at the Mucky Duck at Tisman’s Common. This pleasant pub was very quiet; we had the dining room to ourselves, the food enjoyable. Having identified the problems and solutions for many of the ills of the world, we make an unhurried shuffle to prepare for the homeward stretch.

Mark’s map identifies the northward route we took, heading for Ewhurst, where the armada split into three, with Ray and Julian branching off along Plough Lane, while Brian with Ed was delayed by a slow puncture. Our apologies to both for not waiting long enough at the Bull, before we set off into the hills up Shere Road, Ewhurst Road to Peaslake. Here, we doubled back on ourselves to climb up Radnor Road, share a word at the top with a young ‘grimpeur’ in training for L’Alpe d’Huez (as so is Mark), before the descent to Holmbury St Mary. Up Pasturewood and round Leith Hill took us back to Coldharbour, the descent to Dorking and the newly leafing vines of Denbies. Here we found Ed and Brian, patiently waiting beside the bike stands, for the arrival of the lunatic fringe. Just time for a pot of tea and reproachful word for all those ups and downs, before we slip away into the watery, late afternoon sunshine.

The distance Dorking to Dorking no more than 41 miles, with a door to door supplement to take it up to 58 in total.

Jeff