A Group 26th June

It was a fine warm day for today’s expedition from Caterham, where 10 riders assembled for the ‘A’ group ride. Geoffrey and I took the opportunity en route to get some spiritual guidance by having a look at the ancient wall painting in Chaldon Church, which vividly illustrated the Hell and Damnation in store for the wicked. Not that that applied to any of us, of course.

At Caterham, various reasons for non-attendance (such as receiving cycling awards, or being on the other side of the Atlantic) were duly noted.

Rides from Caterham always include a fair bit of up and down, but today’s ride wasn’t too punishing. Out of Caterham, we passed through Woldingham, before climbing Lunghurst Road and venturing eastwards along the Ridge, roughly parallel with the M25. Eventually we passed through Brasted, and then climbed for a couple of miles over  the Chart, before the rapid descent of Toy’s Hill. Lunch was at the Four Elms Inn, allegedly a 15^th century hostelry, where we relaxed in the warm sun. The village of Four Elms, so it is said, was named after four trees situated in the local recreation ground, sadly no longer there as a result of Dutch Elm disease doing its dastardly work.

The return journey was through Edenbridge, Haxted, and should have been via Tandridge Lane. However, Highways Agency personnel engaged in road resurfacing were deaf to our pleas for right of passage along the verge. A full and frank discussion took place (though not as full and frank as the one they held with a passing motorcyclist), but unrelenting were they, which entailed a minor detour.

Having climbed Tilburstow Hill, Hans was unable to resist the delights of the rapid descent down Tilburstow Hill Road into Godstone, and was not seen again, while we turned off for Bletchingley.  I did hear later that he made it home OK, having covered considerably more mileage than I did. After that, we went through Merstham, Hooley and ended up at Banstead (actually Nork) for tea, at a new cafe called the Huggle Tree, where we were pleased to see Jen Mitchell, who popped out to see us from her work next door.

Rob