B Ride 31st July

Looking at the maps (thank you to Tim C for putting them on the blog) it is true to say that we did meander through Surrey but starting at Dorking, lunching in Cobham and taking tea in Long Ditton meant we could string together some well-known stretches with, for some, some completely unknown elements.

The B’s are always up for a challenge and we got the major climb of the day out of the way as soon as possible by going up on to Ranmore Common via Ranmore Road. There were 18 of us and everyone made it. Then it was along the top and down Crocknorth Road followed by the up and over Chalk Lane.

Down into Horsely and along the tarmac path next to the railway before turning right on to Silkmore Lane. Its bridleway section was a bit rough. However it ended at the next bridleway at Jury Farm which is paved. After a brief consultation two thirds of the way along the majority of us turned right through Shepardsgrove Copse to Ripley Lane where we reformed.

All very familiar as we made our way through Church End, Ockham (where the Hautboy is being converted into apartments), past the Black Swan (no sign of the A’s), on to Cobham Tilt and The Running Mare. No dramas with lunch meant we could enjoy the pleasant sunshine outside.

Tea at Squires in Long Ditton looks like a short run but we extended it by going in the direction of Fairmile and Oxshott and then dipping back down towards Stoke D’Abernon. Not far out of Oxshott is another tarmac bridleway which ends up back in Oxshott on Wrens Hill.

Back on the familiar roads again we took the recently resurfaced New Road bridleway to Claygate, under the A309 and into Woodstock Lane for tea. There were 12 of us at the end. I made it 30 miles from elevenses to tea.

A very pleasant day out with the B’s!

Peter T