Eight of us including: Brian, Colin, David, Ged, John, Mark and Peter set off from Leatherhead in what seemed to be fairly dry conditions. Once we got on the cycle path to Dorking we were able to progress at quite a brisk pace. We made a slight detour leaving the cycle path just beyond the Denbies turn off to cross the railway passing through what appeared to be Denbies Vines. In a matter of a few yards we were on Calvert Road and thereon to Ashcombe and Station roads to continue on the A25.
We met our first major climb on Coast Hill and before long were off the A25 to climb up to Abinger Common above Friday Street at which point passed by a Lutyen's designed house with it's ornamental chimneys. We tuned right (part of the 50k hilly course) to Holmbury St Mary and arrived for lunch at the Kings Head about 12:20 having escaped serious rain.
There were only two people in the bar when we arrived and that appeared the total number apart from us when we left, so we had immediate service from two charming ladies, with good liquid refreshments, but unfortunately a long wait for the food. In the event this was fortunate because we missed most of the heavy rain judging by the state of the roads when we left about 2:20.
After dropping down to the A25 at Abinger we decided en bloc to return homeward via White Down rather than Coombe Bottom, a shorter route to the Vineries at Bookham. Brian and Colin decided at this stage to miss out the tea stop which is something I very often do. I hope every one arrived home safely and thank you to all members for turning out on what could have been a better day weatherwise and thanks to Mark and David for acting as back markers.
Happy Xmas.
Ray
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