A fairly dire weather forecast had me expecting a low turnout of hardened venturers, determined to ignore whatever the rain gods had in store for us. In the event, we mustered a creditable 13 riders, and after an initial period of light rain, the day cleared up, culminating after lunch in a brief view of the sun, together with unmistakeable patches of blue sky, as a warm front made its presence felt.
We went South from Cobham to Effingham before navigating through Bookham High Street, and then Chapel Lane to pass by Polesden Lacey, before somewhat gingerly descending Bagden Hill, wet leaves and all. Past Westhumble Station (& Pilgrim Cycles), it was a brisk ascent of Box Hill, where we stopped to inspect a better than expected view.
Having descended Pebble Hill, and crossed the A25, Toni had our first and only puncture –rear wheel naturally. An advance party continued through Betchworth and Leigh to our lunch stop at the Three Horseshoes, Irons Bottom, a well known Wayfarers watering hole, and the rear detachment arrived soon after.
With the nights drawing in, and cafes having an increasing tendency to shut up shop early, we took a direct route up Reigate Hill to our tea stop at Banstead, the leader taking full advantage of choice of tea stop, having a full 3 minute ride to get back home.
Mileage from elevenses to tea was 34, about all we could manage in the gathering gloom.
Rob
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