B Group February 3

With a quite cool, but dry morning, what better than a ride into the Surrey Hills to warm you up and give you an appetite? Twenty two Bs left Cobham, passing Effingham Junction and East Horsley en route to Combe Bottom and the A25. Heading towards Shere we turned right into Rectory Lane soon to be confronted with a ford. I think all chose the alternative bridge. By now numbers had dropped by seven (all pre-arranged) and we proceded south up out of Shere. Beyond the railway bridge we turned left into Hook Lane and continued eastish to Hoe (Holey?) Lane. After turning right onto the B2126 it was a short distance to lunch at The Volunteer, Sutton Abinger.

Here food was good and served quickly, we left just within the hour. Heading along ominously named but reasonably dry Water Lane we soon reached Abinger Common then via Friday Street and a few challenging hills (down and up) to the A25 at Wotton. Briefly riding along this busy main road, we turned left into Balchin's Lane and followed N22 to the outskirts of Dorking. By turning into Station Road and Ashcombe Road we avoided the town centre, then to satisfy the off-road enthusiasts turned into Calvert Road and the short track through Denbie's to join the cycle track just short of Denbie's roundabout. Some of us stopped for tea at Pilgrim Cycles.

Good to see daffodils, crocii and catkins - hope they don't regret it.

Welcome to William Ward and John Morris on their first rides with us - hope to see you again.

Thanks to corner markers and tec Tim - it all helps, and to everyone for your company.

Terry