A Group 21 August

A Guildford start offered the opportunity to venture far off our normal tracks and visit some countryside I had seen last summer en route to Portsmouth. Could I do this and fit in the new cycle route at Hindhead as well? It was going to be a challenge but one I felt worth the effort.

So a dozen of us left Guildford and headed out through Shalford where we left the main road and started the long climb to Munstead Heath. There followed a long stretch of rolling countryside through Hambledon, Wormley and along Prestwick Lane to Grayswood. The sting in the tail was a sharp little climb up Three Gates Lane ( ungated!!) to Haslemere which reintroduced us to the concept of traffic but it was short-lived as we soon turned into Hampshire along Hammer Lane. This had a few ups and downs which caught one or two in the wrong gear but soon we were in Bramshott and a final flat few miles to lunch in The Crown at Arford. Both the service and food were excellent. It's a pity its a bit far to go more often.

Now came the challenge of getting to Hindhead though first we need to to pull ourselves up out of the vale at Arford onto the Churt Road before turning off into Whitmore Vale. A mile and a half of single track lane culminates in a long,steep ascent into Grayshott, followed by a further steady pull up to Hindhead. After a stop at the Sailor's Stone overlooking the site of the old A3 we had the payback - the long gentle descent on the cycle path to Thursley. From here we took it at a steady pace, back through Elstead and Hurtmore to the Watts Gallery at Compton for tea. This was busy and we were nearly turned away but common sense prevailed and we split into groups as tables became free. A final climb to the top of the Hogs Back before we split up on the descent to Guildford.

43 miles, mostly on quiet lanes on a beautiful day in good company. A great day out.