A Group - 28 April

Redhill - Horsted Keynes - Fanny's

Despite its being in one of the darkest corners of the known world, a motley group of flat-earthers assembled at the Redhill Methodist Centre ready (well, nearly ready) to spread the cycling gospel into the unexplored and heathen depths of darkest Surrey and Sussex. Brian had an eager cohort ready to follow him to Dormansland. Fewer were ready to follow me into unknown regions - a reluctance ascribed not to apprehension, but a desire to save themselves for an evening endeavour of muscle, soul and sinew on the proving ground better known as the G10 42. A small but steadfast group of pilgrims, prepared to give their all, therefore set off to bring the word to Horsted Keynes. On the start line we had a high-octane octet: Bob, Dave V, Jeff, John B, John S, Rob, Simon L and Will.
For a change, we left Redhill via the A25 with a climb past the station, then to head south down Fuller's Wood Lane to Outwood and round Horne to Newchapel. We took a bouncy Studpond Lane past Hedgecourt Lake and then a rather flinty bridlepath and farm track to find Imberhorne Lane. Bob, however, had picked up the faintest scent of a distant Wetherspoons and we lost him. South took us past Saint Hill Manor, home of the sainted Ron L Hubbard, to the tip of Weir Wood Reservoir and a long haul up to Tyes Cross, to cross the aptly named Top Road. A long freewheel down Chilling Street brought us effortlessly past the Bluebell Railway to Horsted Keynes, where a last little pull delivered us to the waiting arms of The Green Man.
We were able to wine and dine outside in sunshine, food good as you would expect from a tavern sporting the symbol of the Winged Wheel. How refreshing to see it still proudly sporting its definite article, - The CTC - which the CTC HQ marketing men want to amputate, to give the Club what they consider to be a more modern, corporate identity. Illiterate balderdash! After a relaxed repast it was off again, with a brief stop to observe the roadside Ludwell Spring, first recorded we are told by the Revd. Giles Moore in 1668. After HK Station it was another long haul up Hammingdean Lane to bring us to the Fox Revived at West Hoathly. A short stretch of B2028 led to Turner's Hill, where Rob won the hill climb, but overshot the left turn for Tulley's and had to stretch his legs to catch us up. Copthorne and Smallfield led to Nutfield, where John S forsook us for the A25 and Redhill Station and the rest swooped down to Merstham, then up to Fanny's Farm Shop for a well-earned pot of tea and slice of Fanny's finest. The top of Markedge Lane saw the parting of the ways.

We had stayed on Landranger 187, met not one chevron and totted up just 57 miles on a perfect day for cycling.

Jeff