A leisurely start for eleven of us from the Leatherhead Day Centre as far as the climb from the A24 cycle path on a winding road to the Woodlogging Centre at Norbury Park.It was a bit mucky thereon to Druids Grove where Vic decided to admire the murky view.We descended on a metalled surface to West Humble and back on to the A24 cycle path to the Denbies R'bt.Here we met the 'B' group led by Terry - a quick exchange of words as we crossed their path whilst going into Pixham Lane.
On reaching the A25 it was right and left into a climb on Punchbowl Lane to Tilehurst where I temporarily lost memory of my planned route to Charlwood. Thereon once on the Brockenhurst Rd and twice right to Parkgate it had developed into chaingang riding to Charlwood for lunch.
There are a number of places one can eat in Charlwood including the Pine shop (this is soon to close according to my local paper-- on one occasion this was used for lunch by the Wayfarers but is really more suitable for 11's). As I had not booked a lunch because of the uncertain weather it was a question of whether we may all eat together, however we were fortunate that the Half Moon were willing to provide instant service regardless of another already booked group, Thank you Mark for the excellent pictures where he stepped in to take whilst Jeff T was missing and also for the short account of the ride.
After a very satisfying lunch we left at 1.45 to tackle the hill out of Charlwood to Newdigate our shortest route homebound. The pace was perhaps faster than expected after lunch but with the exchange of leaders from time to time this was helpful to me and exhilarating.However we must have been carried away because Vic had been dropped by the time we got to the foot of Punchbowl Lane.
It was a more steady ride from there to Annies at Leatherhead arriving for 3's by 2.50.Mark arrived soon after having made a nature stop.We were leaving when the 'B' team arrived and it was nice to talk to them again although briefly.
Ray
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