Hello September: hello hills. A chilly start today but dry, and a good turnout at Cobham. Two new riders, Paula and Stuart, joined Dave Bartholomew, whose first ride was last week in the rain, but still came back for more. Welcome all, we were pleased to have your company. Fifteen riders set off with a gentle warm-up to East Horsley, followed by Chalk Hill and Green Dene for our first summit of the day. Down to Shere and then back up to Farley Green and Shophouse Lane for the second, before skirting Cranleigh for Ewhurst Green and the Scarlett Arms at Walliswood, where I received a telling-off from the landlady Tracey for not keeping my group under control. Is it even possible to keep a group of hungry and thirsty cyclists under control when they arrive at a pub?
Anyway we sat outside and good food arrived, and disappeared, promptly. A gentle prelude to the afternoon's hills as we ambled up to Forest Green in the sunshine. Then Tanhouse Lane - so much better since they resurfaced it but couldn't they have levelled it out a bit while they were at it? At the top we turned left for Abinger Common and then just for fun carried on to White Down and Ranmore Common before descending to Pilgrim Cycles at Westhumble.
Thanks to Mark for back Marking and to those who marked turns to keep us moving. Only 33 miles but 856m ascent from elevenses to tea, so I had done 1.005km of climbing by the time I reached home, very satisfying. A most enjoyable day's riding in decent weather and lovely countryside.
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