Some watery sunshine at the Vineries, with a definite touch of Spring in the air, as eleven of us set off to look for the Octopus. Crocknorth Lane, which we haven't done for a while, as a warm-up, then over the rolling road that leads to Ranmore, with the spire of St Barnabus on the horizon. Always a pretty run. Down to Dorking, also pretty enough, but very jammed with traffic and not much fun if you were in a car.
We wriggled through and turned on to Coldharbour Lane to start the real business of the day.
At the top we found that the newly-refurbished Plough is open, but only for drinks at the moment as the new kitchens aren't finished yet. We also found a slightly puzzling sign warning of toads - surely should have been octopi? Anyway, over Leith Hill in the sunshine and down through Abinger Common to Sutton Lane. This had been partly blocked with fallen trees on Tuesday, following the storm on Sunday night, but the Highways Authorities had done a good job and the lanes were generally clear.
Along Water Lane to a warm welcome at the Volunteer, which had been closed on Tuesday due, I think, to an interruption of the electricity supply. We sat together at a long table and were joined for lunch by Paul Kelly, dressed in civvies as he is recuperating from a skiing accident. Good food, quickly served, with poor old Paul last served, but first to order.
Just as we were about to leave Mike M turned up. He had a hospital appointment in the morning, but was joining us for the afternoon. This kept the numbers steady as Keith decided to peel off at this point.
An interesting wiggle back across Abinger Common, then Friday Street and up over Broadmoor back to the top. This is a good, quiet climb with very little traffic. Over to the corner of Tanhurst Lane, where we were treated to the noisy and exciting spectacle of Mike M flying by shouting 'I can't stop', but he came back a few minutes later. Then down Tanhurst Lane, which may have been re-surfaced but is still very wet and mucky. As we descended we were able to offer words of encouragement to the Bs, who were on their way up.
Leith Hill next, bigger than it used to be, I thought. Mike elected to give it a miss and head for tea, the rest of us did rather better than some of the London 100 riders do, so we were pleased enough at that.
Over the top and back to Coldharbour, with quite decent views from the viewpoint at the Landslip. Lancing College could quite easily be made out on the South Downs, the best part of thirty miles away.
At the turn for Anstie Lane Geoffrey decided that he would join Mike for tea, the rest of us heading down again through very different country. Leith Hill is heavily wooded on its North side, with typical incised Surrey lanes. The South East corner is quite different - open views and broad fields.
A nasty bit of A29 then back up again by Broomehall Road, good views again, with the tower on Leith Hill clearly visible. A growing sense of familiarity as we entered Coldharbour, and we stopped to discuss, amongst other things, octopi. Of the full Octopus we had completed four climbs and three descents. We could also award ourselves a bonus climb with Crocknorth, so we had done pretty well. The fourth descent, alas, was unavailable as Logmore Lane was closed - presumably still clearing fallen trees, but no-one seemed too worried about this. Honour was satisfied. Interestingly, no-one felt moved to tuck in three more ascents, or, indeed, even one. We must be getting old ...
Back down to Dorking - still jammed with traffic - but we wiggled through again and were in Pilgrim Cycles a few minutes later, where Geoffrey and Mike were taking their tea at a table outside. We got ours and joined them for a few minutes, before they set off over Box Hill for home. Not enough climbing, evidently.
My thanks to Neil, for acting as back marker, to all who marked corners to keep us moving, and to the group as a whole for rising to the challenge. Well done all. 3,911 feet of ascent in 36.7 miles, at a rolling average of 11.4 mph.
Not bad for the Surrey Hills.
Mark
1 comment:
I have to say Mark what an amazing ride though I did very little of it and doubt that I could have got round. I chickened out at the end partly because one rear brake block was worn down after the C&M Easter Tour causing the shoe to grind on the rim. I did not want to sacrifice the shoe anymore that I had to! (Joke- Rim I mean).
As an aside, there may have been trees down on Logmore Lane but the real reason for Road Closure was utility works (Gas?) yet again at the Wescott end as I observed on my way from hospital to the Volunteer. Thankfully we had a free run for the Hilly 50. Why can't these utilities coordinate their activities? It was previously closed for almost a year for a new water pipe.
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