A Group 17th October

Turn out was a bit thin at Caterham, and a couple of normally hard riders were not able to make it, so there were nine of us ready to start this Autumn's Challenging Ride.  Unfortunately, Toni was immediately ruled out by a mechanical failure - he had ridden over a pothole on the way and, it transpired, had broken four spokes. Bad luck indeed.

So eight of us set off on the Woldingham Road for the first hill of the day, Slines Oak. The map gives this one as 20%, but we all doubted this, as it is much easier than some of the later climbs. All were briskly up, and we then rolled over the Downs to the top of Titsey Hill. Luc peeled off at this point, as he hasn't been riding that much lately, and drew the very reasonable conclusion that discretion was the better part of valour.

The rest of us descended Titsey Hill at pace, heading for the bottom of White Lane, the Bec hill climb course. Titsey is rough and slippery, so it was instructive to note how few of us were able to stop in time to make the turn, and, indeed, how far down the hill those who failed to stop went... But we were soon together at the bottom of White Lane, and one minute and forty seconds later we were at the top. (That last bit isn't true). Some pictures by Jeff, and then fast down to Westerham and up Hoosey Hill before another quick descent towards Chartwell. Somehow we mislaid Mike here, but we got him back at lunch.

Briskly through Four Elms to the bottom of York's Hill, with a few minutes relaxation while I repaired a puncture - lots of flints in Kent. Then up York's Hill, the Catford Hill climb course, in fine style. More pictures by Jeff at the top, and on to the Cock Inn for lunch. It's a pleasant, old-fashioned place where we were made welcome and quickly served.

Easy rolling down to Brasted, then the question of the day - should we go up Hogtrough Hill (short and sharp), or should we go up Clarks Lane (longer but easier)? Hogtrough got it by an overwhelming majority, so up we went, inexplicably losing Mike again on a straight road. Hey ho. Along the top through Tatsfield and, bingo, here we were at the top of White Lane again.

Home straight now, but much more traffic as we headed back towards London. Purley Cross was pretty awful. But we hauled ourselves out of it, and Mrs G was waiting with more cake than we could eat. (That's quite a lot of cake). Tea and chatter, while we looked at Simon Warren's '100 Best Climbs' books. Gratifyingly, our climbs were in them, with respectable scores. So that was all right.

39.99 miles elevenses to tea, 3,218 feet of ascent, maximum speed 42.5 mph coming down to Brasted, steepest hill York's Hill at 21.4%, beating White Lane by a couple of percent at 18.3%. That's how it felt, too.

Mark