It was quite a surprise for me at Dorking Christian Centre that there would be 12 of us prepared to rough it on my ride. They included Mark, Brian, Dave, Simon, Peter, Vic, John, Paul, Jed, Colin and Daniel.
The weather looked promising for rough stuff in the Surrey hills and we set off at about 11:30 with plenty of time to do the course I had previously blogged.
We managed to climb Bagden Hill and thereon to Polesden Lacey comfortably (Daniel registered 20% gradient on Bagden Hill). The less comfortable climb over the rough Yewtree Lane up to Ranmore Road reduced our speed whilst for some of us I feel sure allowed to enjoy the scenery in the Yewtree Farm area, etc. It is believed that this path was an old drover's road some 500 years ago and appears to be about 1.5 mls long.
Unfortunately Paul had a puncture which on Ranmore Road he efficiently got us going again with a new tube. It was plain sailing down to East Horsley then along the A246 to West Horsley then continuing at a good rate to Ockham. At the Black Swan we had a leisurely lunch before we continued on to arrive about 3pm at Bike Beans for Tea.
Vic left us at Downside as Bike Beans at Ashstead would have been a long route home for him.
The rest of the off road to tea was flat - Bookham Common and River Lane Fetcham.
It was quiet on the rest of the roads: Randall's Road, Kingston Road and Lower Ashstead to Ashstead possibly because the schools are on holiday.
There were 10 of us at tea and trust we all had a comfortable journey home.
Ray
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