A Group 4th November

Photo - Jeff Tollerman

An uncertain forecast this morning.  Well, the forecast was actually fairly certain, but it didn't match the weather.  Rain, followed by showers, followed by a bit of sun was the offer; in fact we got no rain, a bit of scotch mist and no sun.  But the generally grey and damp conditions did nothing to deter the A Group - nineteen of us set off from Cobham, climbing steadily up the dip slope of the North Downs to the top of Staple Lane, down again to Shere then back up, variously, until we reached the top of the Greensand Ridge at Winterfold.  Not quite the highest road in Surrey, but almost. The Autumn colours have passed their peak, and the damp conditions were no help, but it was still very attractive riding through the woods.

A brisk descent and we were at lunch on time, to a good welcome and prompt service at the Park Hatch.  The refurbishment is a great improvement, and the food was good, too.  We were back on the road just after two, making steady progress through Walliswood, Mole Street and Ockham to Capel.

Just past the Crown I felt the tedious bump bump bump of a puncture and had to stop to fix it.  Tea beckoned, so most of the group went ahead, with Dave Vine kindly staying to give me a hand.  The puncture was a small sharp flint, exactly the sort of thing that a tubeless system would shrug off.  Except that this bike hasn't got tubeless tyres - not yet, anyway.

A quick fix and back on the road, joining the others at Pilgrim Cycles for tea and conversation, before we all set off in what was by now quite a dark evening.  Just after four o'clock and still six weeks to the solstice ...

My thanks to Mike for acting as back marker, thanks to all who acted as corner markers, and personal thanks to Dave for his help in my hour of need.

37.3 miles at a rolling average of 13.3mph.  A good ride with a good crowd on a damp November day.

Mark