B group 15.7.09.

After several people had taken advantage of Tesco's offer of breakfast for £2.99, Ed led us from Hookwood to The Cat at West Hoathly. John S and some of the Sussex folk were already in residence, a little difficult to spot since they were in mufti having travelled BY CAR. Soon more of them arrived by bike and a happy, social (if somewhat pricey) lunch break followed. (We probably out-numbered them). After lunch we split into three groups, B group under Norman's leadership, ignoring the attraction of Cob Lane for the unknown quantity of a bridleway. 'It's only about a half mile long, it should be OK' said Stephanie after studying the OS. It started with an almost vertical descent down which we rode/walked/slithered, squelched and muttered politely. Some time later we rejoined the road, about a mile from our lunch venue.We soon arrived at Turners Hill, from which we followed the conventional route (ie no more 'OK' bridleways) to Smallfield. Plan A was tea at Fanny's, superseded by Plan B, Redhill airfield, which, due to tempus fugit, was superseded by Plan A for Norman, Stephanie, Johns G and S, Brian G and Rob. Dave and I peeled off on the outskirts of Redhill and had 3s at a deserted Reigate Garden Centre, returning home via Betchworth and Brockham (preparations well in hand for this weekend's Victorian Fayre on the green, hopefully there will be some cake left for C & M on Sunday). I rode 66miles, Dave probably 20 more.