A Group 2 May 2012

 Cobham - Cranleigh - Denbies

 Thelma and Hazel

We were most sorry to learn that, after some ten years of voluntary service looking after us at the RBL Hall on the first Wednesday of the month,  doctor's orders require both Thelma and Hazel to hand over the reins. I'm sure that we all send them our warmest thanks and best wishes for good health and recovery. It has been suggested that we hold a collection for them. If you agree, please have a £1 coin to hand for the collection plate. (Jeff)

 No rain today, but as Graham says, we did take a big dip at the big dip going up High Barn Road. Nothing that the log fire at the Little Park Hatch could not cope with.

Tuesday morning in Stirling sees Neil Oliver (of Coast fame) pushing his kids to school but is neither the date nor time nor place to plan the following day's Wayfarers ride. So I had to keep it simple hoping the route would avoid any legacies of the recent weather meaning no Hoe or Tanhurst Lanes and their like.

With prior knowledge of onroad hazards, Ray led a time trial through Downside, and across Bookham Common to the station where he and Mike exited left to rest before an evening event.

From the Effingham crossroads we took High Barn Road. At the big dip, construction work (St Teresa's extension?) has created a lake so it was wet feet all round. In contrast both top and bottom of White Down were bone dry. After Holmbury and Cotton Row we slalomed along Lower Breache Road – a contender for Surrey's worst surfaced(?) road. 

The Little Park Hatch provided a worrying statistic - we were 11/12ths of the customers but the usual gargantuan proportions and roasting open fire were most welcoming. Back the way we came at least as far as Ewhurst. Then it was southeast to Walliswood and Okewoodhill and up Weare Street. Mike went AWOL near Capel; apologies, that’s 3 on the trot. Cakes and tea at Denbies rounded off a dull but dry day; just over 60 miles door to door.

Graham