A group 29 April: Dorking - Red Sea - Turner's Hill - Fanny's

Last week Hans led the Israelites through the deserts.  Today we tried to cross the Red Sea, but failed to part the waters.

It was good to see Jeff at elevenses, looking well but not allowed to cycle or drive for another few weeks.  We hope it all goes well Jeff.  And we have been missing a few other regular A group members recently too: Peter Betts, Toni d'Italia, and John Bassett.  Best wishes to you and we are looking forward to you re-joining us as soon as you can.  Read on to see what you're missing!

The forecast promised heavy showers this morning.  A shower on the way to elevenses, followed by sunshine, led to optimism, but it started raining again before we set out, a hardy group of ten riders.   Up Dene Street and along Tilehurst Lane, perhaps not fully enjoying the beautiful countryside all around us.  Over Root Hill and lo! a land flowing with milk and honey!  Well okay, the Wayfarers budget wouldn't stretch to milk and honey, but it was certainly flowing with rain, which seemed to be on special offer today.  On the way to Charlwood, Ged punctured, and rather than hold us up he decided to head for Horley and the train home, while Geoff who was pretty wet and cold by then stayed with him.

Then there were eight.  We went round two sides of Gatwick, surprisingly traffic-free, and then through Crawley, surprisingly busy with traffic and a bit of an endurance test till we got to Three Bridges station and turned onto the Worth Way, a cycle track with a reasonably good gravel surface which took us to within a couple of miles of Turner's Hill: up the hill, still in the rain, and smartly into the Crown Inn to dry out and warm up.  They had reserved tables by the open fire and served good portions of good food.

The rain stopped for the return journey and the sun even came out a bit:  down the hill and then through the lanes past Rowfant, Copthorne, Smallfield to South Nutfield, where a few hills awaited us (and it started raining again) en route to Fanny's, where Keith and Ralph went straight on and six tried to dry out again.  The sun came out as we were inside, and I for one had a dry, sunny and warm ride home!  Thankyou to Brian for back-marking.