B Group - 1st October

Cobham – Westhumble – Cobham

An unusual day

From the title and with a lunch time destination of The Stepping Stones at Westhumble one would think there was nothing odd about the day. Indeed one of the 18 who left Cobham expressed the view it wasn’t far enough – a view that was reinforced by going over Bookham Common, up Blagden Hill and down Chapel Lane and actually stopping at the pub to confirm numbers.

However it was onwards and upwards but not the zig-zag this time. I had a number of “firsts” to achieve. For roads so close to home I have never cycled up Headley Lane, never been to Walton on the Hill up Hurst Road or for that matter never descended the zig-zag!

Somewhere en route a car passed us in the opposite direction. I heard a familiar voice, those behind heard the voice and saw the wave and those even further behind saw Jeff. Was it really him on his way to Heathrow or was it someone else doing a very good impersonation? Did we imagine it? Time will tell!

After lunch the climb up to Ranmore Common was the main event but how to do it? Various opinions were expressed and eliminated. I had planned the more gradual ascent via Dorking and Ashcombe Road. Thereafter it was familiar territory running down to Sainsbury’s at Cobham via Crocknorth Road and Chalk Lane (Another first for Pam – not having done the lane in that direction before).

We lost numbers during the day with VAT Returns and recovery from injuries being cited. 8 made it to tea. And Tim ended up in Giro! in Esher.

We did a very modest 32 miles but nonetheless it was a good workout on a warm Autumn day.

Peter T

Peter's route from Cobham to Westhumble (19.4 miles) then back to Cobham for Tea (12.5 miles approx)