A Group 29th February

Today, the A Group declared the end of Winter. This may have been slightly premature, but so far, so good. We left Leatherhead intending to do a few more miles than we usually would at this time of year, and to do them a little quicker. By and large we succeeded, and the value of the exercise was emphasised by the statistics - this would have been an easy ride in June, but today we had to work a bit.

Sixteen of us set off along Lower Road, braving the Gypsies' dogs in Calvert Road before turning into Green Dene and beginning the first climb. No real problems, but we took a short breather at the junction with Staple Lane before a cautious descent around Agony Corner - slippery - and fast down Combe Bottom to Shere.

Through the village and climbing again up Sandy Lane, right through Albury Heath and Farley Green, climbing steadily through the Winterfold Forest until we got to the corner of the Greensand Lane. After a brief discussion we decided against the interesting possibility of going down the steep hill through Lapscombe Close in order to come up again by Barhatch Lane, which is one of the harder hills hereabouts. Instead we stuck to the crest and descended a benign Barhatch Road until we got to Ride Way, leading to the top of Pitch Hill. Fast down - more than 40 mph - and we were at the Bull's Head in Ewhurst just before one.

The landlord had asked that we telephone our lunch orders through at elevenses, so that the staff would have time to prepare our meals. After a brief hiatus, while we wondered if this had in fact been a good idea, the food duly appeared and we were all well and promptly served. We were in and fed within forty minutes, so this was indeed a good idea, as an hour is often tight for a pub lunch.

So, a stroll out and then the easier part of our ride. The sun was out, with a temperature of 14.5ºC as we headed South to Honeywood Lane, picking up Weare Street heading towards Capel. As we passed through the aptly named Spring Copse there were indeed signs of spring - many snowdrops, some crocuses, many daffodils just about to bloom and even a few primroses. This all seems a bit premature for February, but no complaints.

Familiar roads from Capel, heading North to Newdigate then up Henfold Lane, where, unusually for the A Group, the pace began to climb and a bit of a line-out began to form. By the time we got to Annie's it was head down, devil-take-the-hindmost ... I think that it's important that these great traditions are maintained.

My apologies to my fellow riders for the lack of a cultural interlude this week, but at least it kept us out of the graveyards. 39.52 miles at just over 12 mph (computer glitch prevents greater precision); 2388 feet of ascent and a best speed of 40.1 mph. And we were in to Annies just after 1530, so we could have done more. As the year unfolds, I'm sure we will.

Mark