A Baker's Dozen left Cobham for today's ride - quite bright, and unseasonably mild. We had all chosen longs and long sleeves, but we've had cooler days in Summer.
Prettily over Downside and Bookham Common to start - it's been a great Autumn for leaf colours - then a jink through Leatherhead and our first hill of the day. We went up via Downs Lane to the top of Givons Grove, then on through Tyrrell's Wood to Tot Hill. It's part of the KPRC Hilly 12 course, and it's a fair pull. Graham left us here, on his way to visit the injured Ed. The rest of us had our reward - a fine descent down Lodge Bottom Lane under golden arches of trees, re-grouping at the corner for our next climb, Box Hill.
Steadily upwards at first, having agreed that there was to be no racing, as it was not part of the ethos of the Amble. Ray engaged a young lady in conversation - she was a triathlete in training, and they discussed racing and mutual friends. Then, with a smile and a twinkle in his eye, Ray got out of the saddle and left her. Well, you couldn't let him go by himself ... I'd say he had a three minute lead over her by the top, but then, Ray's not in training.
We all gathered at the viewpoint and Jeff Cartier-Tollerman recorded our achievements, then on to Pebble Combe Hill for another glorious swoop down. Best speed of the day here, at just over 40mph, and ten minutes later we were in the Red Lion at Betchworth. Tables were reserved for us and we all ate well.
After lunch we began the second half of the Amble - no big hills, and no high speeds. There were lots of deer out at Wonham Manor and plenty of Autumn colours. We headed South through Leigh, then back North at Shellwood Cross to go to Brockham to see the bonfire. It's said to be the biggest in England, and this year's is certainly impressively large. Then West to take a look at the last part of the Free Wheel course before heading to Leatherhead and tea at Annies.
Coming up the High Street it looked as if our luck had changed - the B Group had beaten us to it and had probably eaten all of the cakes. But, in the event, it wasn't so bad - Annie managed to find something for us, so all ended well.
34.56 miles, 2,020 feet of ascent and a rolling average of 9.7 mph - the Autumn Amble.
Mark
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