A Group 8 June

Dorking - Tisman's Common - Dorking

Stop to admire a des. res. near Ewhurst Green

Today's ride caught me, not for the first time, in two minds. Should it be a longer ride, as we are so close to Midsummer's Day, or a shorter ride, as there was a bi-weekly KPRC Wednesday evening TT, which reduces numbers? On the way to Dorking, a few drops of rain intimated that a shorter ride might be a wise decision. Who wants a long, wet ride?

In the event, an inquisitive gaggle of 11 opted to follow along the A25 to Westcott, before heading southwards and upwards along Logmore Lane to the crest of Coldharbour, where capes were donned. A downward swoop took us beneath Leith Hill to another decision point - Tanhurst Lane, safer to climb than descend. Discretion won the day, so it was a fast descent to the B2126 and Lyfield Lane. We stopped to admire a fine Georgian manor house in Lower Breache Lane, before pressing on to Ewhurst Green, then south to bypass Rudgwick and along Loxwood Lane to the Mucky Duck at Tisman's Common.

After a very satisfactory lunch it was due North, with a following wind, via Hornhill Lane, Cook's Hill and Baynards back to Ewhurst Green (interrupted with a rain stop), Cotton Row and Horsham Road to Holmbury St Mary. Pasture Wood took some by surprise, even without a chevron; then it was Leith Hill once more before the descent of Coldharbour Lane to tea at Denbies - Annies was just out of reach. The mileage tally Dorking to Dorking was about 40 miles.

Jeff