My first mistake was to not have ridden the route closer to the ride day, although I had many ways of following the route I relied on my Garmin birthday present and either miss read it or just got it wrong.
After travelling round in circles for a while and having to double back, with the help from Angie and a bit of head scratching on my part we started the route BUT in reverse. Passing several of the other groups who noticed our alternative efforts.
The weather gods were against us (think they read my blog about the Holy Flint) the heavens opened several times and it felt it was directed at us only, sheltering was not really an option - the rain so heavy as we rode that it hurt as it hit our faces.
On our way back to Horley we travelled what seemed for ages over a newly gravelled length of road and the rain continued to fall. Ray left us after this to travel home, and phoned later to say he arrived safely. Into Horsley and Steph punctured and stepped into a bike shop to get it fixed telling us to continue. Steph joined us back at the hall.
David Cox said after the gravel, rain, loosing the direction what else could be crossed off of the list.
There was a decision by individuals that they would not take part in the afternoon ride due to the weather conditions,we had travelled through such terrible rain and it was still raining.
Many thanks to Mike B for back marking and all of the group for their support. Many thanks to the organisers of the day and especially to Maggie Gladwyn and Liz Lambourn, those two hard working suppliers of the cornucopia of food and drinks.
~ Geoff
PS. Geoff contacted his group last night to ensure they got home safely and reports that all were 'unbelievably positive' about the day.
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