A’s
Supposedly this was high summer so a ride into the Surrey Hills beckoned. Fourteen A's left Addlestone bound for Row Town, Ridgway and Ripley where began the steady climb to Sheepleas and beyond. It was the leader's dubious privilege of descending back to Simon who had broken a spoke just after the first summit. The nearest railway station seemed best; from a later text we learnt "wheel repaired in Horsley bike shop".
Continuing down into Shere and up via Peaslake meant we caught the backmarkers just before Ewhurst; they had ascended by the more normal Hound House route. A rain was setting in prompting a canter to lunch at the Little Park Hatch. Soon gargantuan dishes were placed before us surprising first time visitors by their size. Manfully we set about our various tasks and all succeeded save Ed.
Late arrival (1330) meant late departure and a shortened route. Having sampled Tanhurst recently, it was the turn of Vaughan William’s Leigh Hill Place (Abinger Road) where two were reduced to pedestrianism (they won't be shamed by me)! From Coldharbour to Denbies was mostly rapid though the Dorking traffic did its best to delay us. A languid hour there meant home just before six - it was still drizzling. 60 miles and a bit door to door.
B’s
Five miles for crows needed to be trebled for ten humans so a sinuous route was taken to lunch. After Ottershaw, it was west along Gracious Pond Road then south down Halebourne Lane and east towards Chobham. Zigzags brought us past the Pennypot ford and The Castle (back of) before a final turn saw us entering Woking from the northwest. Rain began to fall during the Wetherspoons lunch though it eased later on. Leaving the Basingstoke at New Haw, our final destination was Walton's Arts Centre where we were offered a pair of gloves; perhaps left by the "C" group two weeks ago?
From Graham
Supposedly this was high summer so a ride into the Surrey Hills beckoned. Fourteen A's left Addlestone bound for Row Town, Ridgway and Ripley where began the steady climb to Sheepleas and beyond. It was the leader's dubious privilege of descending back to Simon who had broken a spoke just after the first summit. The nearest railway station seemed best; from a later text we learnt "wheel repaired in Horsley bike shop".
Continuing down into Shere and up via Peaslake meant we caught the backmarkers just before Ewhurst; they had ascended by the more normal Hound House route. A rain was setting in prompting a canter to lunch at the Little Park Hatch. Soon gargantuan dishes were placed before us surprising first time visitors by their size. Manfully we set about our various tasks and all succeeded save Ed.
Late arrival (1330) meant late departure and a shortened route. Having sampled Tanhurst recently, it was the turn of Vaughan William’s Leigh Hill Place (Abinger Road) where two were reduced to pedestrianism (they won't be shamed by me)! From Coldharbour to Denbies was mostly rapid though the Dorking traffic did its best to delay us. A languid hour there meant home just before six - it was still drizzling. 60 miles and a bit door to door.
B’s
Five miles for crows needed to be trebled for ten humans so a sinuous route was taken to lunch. After Ottershaw, it was west along Gracious Pond Road then south down Halebourne Lane and east towards Chobham. Zigzags brought us past the Pennypot ford and The Castle (back of) before a final turn saw us entering Woking from the northwest. Rain began to fall during the Wetherspoons lunch though it eased later on. Leaving the Basingstoke at New Haw, our final destination was Walton's Arts Centre where we were offered a pair of gloves; perhaps left by the "C" group two weeks ago?
From Graham
1 comment:
Apologies to all for delaying you, and special thanks to Graham for coming back to check on my status, since there was no phone signal where I was. I'm pleased to report that I found an excellent bike shop, Horsley Cycles, right outside Horsley station - one of the old school type of bike shops - who were able to fix my wheel right away. Highly recommended.
Simon L.
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