A large (by Redhill standards) group of 17 set off but when we regrouped by the East Surrey Hospital roundabout only half of us were there. It seemed that Ray had fallen when navigating the construction works on the path but no damage done and soon he and the rest of the group rejoined us. Meanwhile the A group had appeared and we let them go ahead.
So on to Outwood for a photo stop by the windmill where the A group appeared again from behind. We set off through Horne, soon to be overtaken again by the As in Bones Lane. Here our paths diverged as we went south down East Park Lane where Steph left us for an early return. Stubpond Lane was bumpy in parts and Tuesday’s storms left one muddy patch but it was soon over and we burst out of the trees to the shore of Hedgecourt Lake. Then it was tarmac all the way, crossing the A264 at the end of Mill Lane and through Crawley Down to the Red Lion at Turners Hill for a very pleasant lunch.
After lunch we enjoyed the descent past Tulley’s Farm towards Copthorne and then before Smallfield we turned into Cross Lane and on to Cogman’s Lane crossing our morning route at Outwood. Here Terry and Pam took the direct route home and we tackled a few more hills via South Nutfield and up Fullers Wood Lane to cross the A25 and drop down into Merstham. The short stretch of the N Downs Way between the Mole bridge and Gatton Bottom proved very treacherous after the rain and led to a second fall – this time John ( not G, the other one!) was the unlucky one. Norman may have been very wise to stick to the road. Ten of us made it to tea at Fanny’s Farm, 32 miles from elevenses in perfect weather.
To see the route go to:
Brian
1 comment:
It's a shame that some of us live so far away to enjoy the delights 0f deepest Surrey. Instead a trip to White Waltham Aerodrome for lunch and exploding rear tyre before afternoon tea, luckily a Windsor bike shops could suppliy a new one...
Tony..
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