A Group: Feb 17th

The A group was smaller than normal today - just 12 set off from Weybridge. Was it the weather forecast or my threat of muddy lanes?  The first part of the ride was straightforward heading out through Addlestone and Woodham Lane to West Byfleet and then through Pyrford and Poleden Lane to Send. From there it was Potter's Lane and the A3 to Burpham followed by some suburban ramblings through Merrow to minimise our time on the A25 and reach Tangier Road. Countryside returned in the shape of Halfpenny Lane to Chilworth and then on through Blackheath to the Bricklayers Arms at Shamley Green. Lunch was a bit slow and it was about 2.30 before we got away as the first spots of rain were falling. Never mind - a loop south to Run Common brought us back to the A281 for a few hundred yards and then left into Brookwell Lane, an access road and bridleway with a good surface leading to Gate Lane and Thorncombe Street. The latter tries to impersonate the Greensand Way in parts but it was drier than Sunday's recce and we were soon back on clear tarmac to Bramley. By now a steady but not heavy rain was falling and some had headed for the train. A climb up Echo Pit Road to Warwicks Bench behind Guildford Castle brought us to the A25 at the top of the town and the remaining 9 of us headed to Squires at West Horsley where 5 stopped for tea. The rain must have been moving eastwards very slowly because it was barely drizzling when I got back to Ashtead. 38 miles from Weybridge to tea.