A Group 4th April

Living North of the Thames means I am not on home ground when it comes to leading rides in Surrey, yes I have been lead many times into Surrey and but when lead you tend to be very blinkered, well I do. So when Brian allocated me  to lead from Cobham it meant a good few hours looking at maps and long rides to plan my route.

So a merry bunch set off from Cobham RBL hall down Downside Bridge rd with a right into Plough lane, across Old lane and into Ockham lane and a right across Wisley airfield and over the footbridge into Wisley lane and passed Pyrford lock and onto Pyrford. The weather forecast had been for showers but although there was a chill in the air the Sun shone warmly.

On down Papercourt lane and on to Send and a right turn into Send Barns lane and across the A3 and a left right into Tythebarns lane and a right into Ripley road. I took Back lane in The St then right again into the Old Epsom road for a brief stop to look at the marvelous fence made completely from tools. We were headed to the Vineries Garden centre for a non-alcoholic lunch, a real change for the “A”s! To workup an appetite we headed over the A246 Epsom road and up Staple lane which slowed the pace. Left at the end into Combe and onto Green Dene for a fast descent all the way back to  the A246. Needless to say at this point the fast desenders took off! But we regrouped at the junction. A left took us Dirtham Lane and into Effingham and lunch.

Service at the Vineries is somewhat spasmodic but the food is excellent and well priced. Halfway through lunch two “A” group tailenders arrived after claiming to have added a few more hills (they actually stopped for a comfort break and dropped off the back).

Rain clouds were threatening and the sky was very overcast. For afternoon tea I planned to take the group to Chessington Nurseries, a new venue for tea and close to home for many. We set off passed Bookham station and across Bookham common with a right turn across country at Pump cottages and into Tilt road. A left into Stoke road and right bought us to Oxshot and Birdshill rise and onto the B280 to Chessington and tea. A very nice venue and a great choice of cake, I thought I was at a cake eating contest the way the group tucked in. The clouds were still threatening rain and I had 13 miles to home but with just a few drops I made it home without a soaking.

Tony..