B Group - 6th April

Many of us got quite wet riding to Elevenses at Cobham but the only other serious shower was during lunch so in that respect we got off quite lightly. About eighteen of us started out and took a direct route, including The Drift and East Lane to reach West Horsley. After a brief stretch along the A246 we rode along Blake’s Lane which would have been the original A road. At East Clandon we turned off and pedalled up Staple Lane and down the other side to Shere.

From Shere we took the long slow climb due South along Hound House Lane which, unaccountably, has rarely, if ever, been visited by B Group. The gradient is quite modest, even in comparison with Staple Lane but by persevering we ultimately attained the lofty altitude of 921 feet before zooming down Pitch Hill into Ewhurst. Despite a slightly tardy departure from Cobham we reached The Bulls Head at one o'clock.

The customary assortment of soups, sarnies and salads was served to us fairly quickly in the friendly ambience of this popular pub. We were on the road at 2:15, heading East then up Cotton Row to join the Horsham Road to Holmbury St Mary. At Sutton Abinger we turned past The Volunteer for the brief climb up Raikes Lane. At the A246, some decided to ride to Dorking on the A25, having been warned that the official route was along the muddy and otherwise fairly dreadful Route 22. But nine of us persevered with the mud and bobbled our way over protruding tree roots through to Park Farm where the route transforms into a much more respectable cycle way. The reward, apart from the lack of traffic, is the very beautiful downland scenery.

Terry's photo taken at Park Farm

We took our well-worn route along Balchins Lane through Milton Court and after debate about whether to go through or around Dorking we rode through it and on up to Leatherhead for Tea and cake at Costa. The Tonys and others, who didn’t want any mud splattered onto their posh bikes, and had taken the A25 route, were just leaving as we arrived for Tea. But of course they still get their two points.

Thank you to Tony Hooker for holding the group together and chasing everyone up the big hills and thank you to various people who marked corners and to everyone for their cheerful enjoyment of the day and for not moaning about the 2,251 feet of climbing the ride entailed.

~ Tim

Links to ride profiles:
Morning ride to Ewhurst
Afternoon ride to Leatherhead