Eleven stalwarts left Cobham about 11:15 in wonderful sunshine. They were Bob S and his friend Phil, Mark G recently returned from his End to End, Edd, Julien, Toni D'I, Mike M, Vic, Geoff, Grant and yours truly.
The route was as straight as possible to the Blue Ship at The Haven, this included two major climbs aptly included in Mark's profile shown, being the climb from East Horsley to Netley Heath and the climb from Shere to the top of Pitch Hill. There was a rest for the group at East Horsley whilst I replaced a tube in my front wheel which turned out to be a phantom puncture. Once we collected ourselves together at Ewhurst it was a gentle ride through Ewhurst Green, Ellens Green, Cox Green, Bucks Green, Garlands to the Blue Ship.
Nine of us lunched in the shade outside, Julien and Mark having protected our frail bodies fom the fierce sun with a shade they stuck in the table. Bob and his friend Phil meanwhile had made themselves scarce going to another Pub. Phil by this time I think was himself feeling quite frail as he was riding a mountain bike which I understand was only his 4th outing on a bike this year and not ideal for long climbs.
We were a bit behind schedule leaving the Blue Ship particularly as we visited Gibbons Mill, where it was a delight to observe dragonflys hovering over the River Arun at the Mill. The track from the Mill to join the road to Tisman's Common was rather rough whilst climbing from the river but pleasant thereon to the road. It was a fair an easy pace through Bucks Green, Cox Green, Ellens Green, Oakwood Hill and on to Weire Street to Ockley where we met up again with Bob and Phil , Bob stayed with us but Phil took a more direct route on the A24 confirmed by Bob. For the rest of us it was the normal ride via Capel and Newdigate to Denbies where 8 of us had a rather late 3's more like 4:15. Mark needed to get home earlier and presumably Bob likewise. I hope Phil comes out with us again as he did well to stay so long with us without ever complaining at the nature of the ride.
Ray
The route was as straight as possible to the Blue Ship at The Haven, this included two major climbs aptly included in Mark's profile shown, being the climb from East Horsley to Netley Heath and the climb from Shere to the top of Pitch Hill. There was a rest for the group at East Horsley whilst I replaced a tube in my front wheel which turned out to be a phantom puncture. Once we collected ourselves together at Ewhurst it was a gentle ride through Ewhurst Green, Ellens Green, Cox Green, Bucks Green, Garlands to the Blue Ship.
Nine of us lunched in the shade outside, Julien and Mark having protected our frail bodies fom the fierce sun with a shade they stuck in the table. Bob and his friend Phil meanwhile had made themselves scarce going to another Pub. Phil by this time I think was himself feeling quite frail as he was riding a mountain bike which I understand was only his 4th outing on a bike this year and not ideal for long climbs.
We were a bit behind schedule leaving the Blue Ship particularly as we visited Gibbons Mill, where it was a delight to observe dragonflys hovering over the River Arun at the Mill. The track from the Mill to join the road to Tisman's Common was rather rough whilst climbing from the river but pleasant thereon to the road. It was a fair an easy pace through Bucks Green, Cox Green, Ellens Green, Oakwood Hill and on to Weire Street to Ockley where we met up again with Bob and Phil , Bob stayed with us but Phil took a more direct route on the A24 confirmed by Bob. For the rest of us it was the normal ride via Capel and Newdigate to Denbies where 8 of us had a rather late 3's more like 4:15. Mark needed to get home earlier and presumably Bob likewise. I hope Phil comes out with us again as he did well to stay so long with us without ever complaining at the nature of the ride.
Ray
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