Vic's Point to Point - Leatherhead to Friday Street

Vic seems to think that we may be getting a bit soft. He has recalled this little Point to Point from Leatherhead to Friday Street to test our mettle.

Vic in 1950 at the top of Sheepcote Lane. Note the gears – he hasn’t got any, well one!

On 29th January 1950 some local clubs got together to run a point-to-point from Leatherhead to Friday Street. I don’t know if it was intended to be competitive, but it would probably turn out to be. I was too young to take part in the main event but I followed on with a club mate.

In January 2012 I went out to retrace that ride. From notes and photographs made at the time I got fairly close, but some of the terrain is no longer as friendly as it was then, so I skipped it. If you want to try it, it’s best to go on a weekday morning with not too many people, and take some food. It’s mostly rideable on a touring machine except perhaps at one point indicated in these directions. My reconnaissance took me 3 hours, but without the map-reading, wrong turns, and photography it would probably be closer to 2 hours.

From Leatherhead set out on the Dorking road; use the painted cycle path on the carriageway. Take the second turning left (Givons Grove, No Through Road). Follow Mickleham Drive uphill until it doubles back as a hairpin. Go straight on along the footpath (panoramic views) to a gateway into Dell Close. Drop down to Box Hill School, turn left. At “The Running Horses” pub turn right (Swanworth Lane). At the main road turn left on the permanent cycle path. At Burford Bridge cross over through the subway, turn left. Within a few hundred yards turn right through a gate with heraldic medallions on the ironwork (North Downs Way). Go up this cobbly lane until it merges into a smooth road with gates. Go through two (narrow) gates (more panorama). At the third gate (locked) change smartly into your granny gear and turn sharp right. This path leads shortly to Ranmore Common Road. Turn left, pass the church, and at the T-junction turn right. At about one mile turn left into the public byway (SP Dorking Scouts Ranmore Campsite). Follow this all the way downhill to the railway.

Some of this is white-knuckle country; you are allowed to dismount, as did some of the original riders (but not all!). Cross the railway by the gates provided. A short length of path (the last) leads into Holehill Lane. At T-junction go into Balchins Lane. Look out for the blue plaque on the left. At the main road turn right up Coast Hill. At Wotton Hatch turn left into Sheephouse Lane. Follow the sign to Friday Street to finish at the “Stephan Langton”. Read their menu. Break out your sandwiches. This route is 18km. long; if you have time and energy to spare you might like to retrace a short way to Broadmoor and photograph each other in front of the waterfall at TQ136459.

Vic White