Redhill for elevenses today - never a popular meeting place - and a damp morning with the forecast of rain kept the numbers down. But quality made up for quantity, and five of us - Dave, Graham, Mike M, Pete B and I set off for the North Downs, with a tacit agreement to give up when the rain started.
Quickly through traffic-free back-streets to the edge of town, then steady climbing up Warwick Wold Road to Hilltop Lane. This is a sharp little climb with a hairpin at the top and usually very little traffic. No trouble for the group, now styling itself A+, and on to Farthing Downs. Memory lane for Pete, who remembered coming there as a child with the CTC Family Group. The swing-boats and the cafe are gone now, but there's a nice orientation stone on the top and we stopped for a few minutes to take in distant views of the City, Crystal Palace and Canary Wharf.
Briskly down to Chipstead Valley then up again by Rectory Lane to Woodmansterne and on to Banstead. We crossed the A217 at the end of Garratts Lane and then took a new bit of NCN 22 alongside Nork Park - partly surfaced, partly gravel. A bit flinty, it fact, of which more later - but a handy connection.
Down to Tattenham Corner and then along Epsom Lane next to the Downs - good views again. Turning into Kingswood Road I had the sinking feeling of a visit from the Puncture Fairy. Drat - only a couple of miles from the pub. It had gone down slowly, so Graham and I blew it up good and hard and cracked on for lunch.
When we got to the Chequers a familiar Pearson was leaning on the wall - John was there. Mike, Pete and Graham went in to order lunch and I spent a couple of minutes sorting out the puncture with Dave. I was very grateful for Dave's keen eyes - he found the tiny flint that had done the damage. Perfectly shaped for the purpose, like an arrowhead, and as sharp as a razor. A new tube and that was that.
As we entered the pub there was another surprise - here was Jeff, barely recognisable in civvies, with a natty bow tie to top off his ensemble. So the A Group peaked at seven, but dwindled again after a good lunch. Pete was heading home, Mike thought he'd have another beer, and Jeff wasn't riding anyway. But John, with only seven miles under his belt, was eager for more, so with a fresh substitute on the team we headed off down Pebblecombe to Brockham (they're starting to build the bonfire) then back by Tilehurst Lane and Pixham Lane to the Zig-Zags, where I was able to demonstrate that, no matter how hard you pedal, a Moulton won't go fast up hill.
We were now on the Hilly 12 course, so, with a quick picture for posterity at the top of Box Hill, we set off for Annie's at pace. One of the advantages of a small group that regularly rides together is that you can get about the country pretty quickly. So we were in to Annie's at just after three thirty, which suited Graham as he had an important appointment later, and out just after four, as the rain started. Perfect timing, really.
34.46 miles elevenses to tea; 2,097 feet of ascent; rolling average 11.4 mph but a maximum speed of 39.8 mph (Pebblecombe) and 1,566 calories.
Mark
No comments:
Post a Comment