A group - 3 July

Cobham - Guildford - Walton

15 riders (including new member Peter Roberts - welcome Peter!) set off from Cobham under cloudy skies, and a few spots of rain which never came to anything.  We rode up to East Horsley where Paul punctured, but was quickly ready to go again.   Then up Chalk Lane and down Combe Lane to Shere, where we continued a gentle climb through leafy, well-surfaced lanes to Farley Heath and down to Shamley Green.   Turning north-west we rode through Wonersh and Shalford, then direct to the cobbles of Guildford High Street and a short ride to the King's Head.   We lost Vic at the bottom of the cobbles, maybe to the attractions of Wetherspoons or perhaps just having had enough experience of riding cobbles? 

Unfortunately we arrived at the same time as no less than three other parties of roughly equal size, but food was served quickly, except for a couple of inexplicably late meals that meant we were an hour and a half in the pub courtyard, with a glimpse of sun every now and again - a very pleasant way to while away the time.   It was good to be in a busy pub too.

New member Peter 3rd from right.

For the return journey I decided to return north of the North Downs, which meant a tricky mile or two heading out of Guildford on the busy Woking Road, but all negotiated this with seeming ease, and we grazed the south of Woking to head to Pyrford on more familiar territory.   Along the Wey Navigation to get to Byfleet, and then towards the Brooklands Museum and the Mercedes-Benz Experience, where we were entertained by a car on the skid pan on the old runway.  Passing round the back of the buildings we got chance to see part of the old Brooklands racing track close-up before a track took us up to Weybridge Station, and down to Walton.  

Having taken rather more time than planned in the pub, we were unlikely to be popular turning up 10 minutes before closing at the Arts Centre café in Walton, so we stopped for tea by the nearly-open Walton Bridge, to the gentle sounds of cranes and other heavy machinery.   Well, it will be good when it's finished (later this month I believe).