Friday, January 24, 2014

A Group, 22nd January

Dorking - Woodmansterne - Bike Beans Café


There was a good turnout of some 19 riders for today’s ride to Woodmansterne. We welcomed Angie and David A, as well as Dave, to supplement our regular throng. The first part of our route was along the well travelled cycle path to Leatherhead. Fortunately, this was now rideable, in marked contrast to how it had been the previous weekend, when a deluge of biblical proportions had swamped the flood meadows and part of the path, with the water lapping at the edges of the road.

Passing through Leatherhead and then upper Ashtead, with its picturesque Park, we ascended Chalk Lane to reach Epsom Downs. From there, our route took us through Tadworth to the A217, after which we turned off down Chipstead Lane, past the Well House Inn (highly recommended), to White Hill, which qualifies for one chevron on the OS map. From there, it was a short stretch to the Woodman, who provided a decent lunch, with Ray collecting the ‘Last to be Served’ award.

Our tea stop lay due West, at Ashtead, so for those living in a more Northerly direction, the pull of the compass in that direction reduced our numbers somewhat, with about a dozen of us heading back through Walton-on-the-Hill, finishing up at Bike Beans café, where Mike M joined us.

We enjoyed a decent workout today, in dry weather, with a special mention going to Pete B, both for keeping an eye on the rear, and also for completing the ride, which had a couple of decent hills, on a single geared bike.
Rob

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