A Group 5 April: Cobham - Alfold - West Horsley

New rider Trevor

The day started with a touch of winter and a chilly northerly wind, prompting several to dash back inside to change from shorts to longs.  But there was plenty of sunshine and it turned into a glorious day.   Twenty set out from Cobham along the well-worn route through Ockley to begin the gentle ascent of Hungry Hill and Staple Lane.   It was very good to see Geoffrey back out with us again, seemingly back to full fitness, and also to welcome new rider Trevor to the group.

Checking directions at Blackheath

Instead of going through Shere we headed across to Albury and Chilworth, and another gentle climb through Blackheath before descending down towards Shamley Green.   Many people were saying what a kind leader we had, choosing all those gentle hills and such lovely sunshine.  Easy riding to the outskirts of Cranleigh where we turned off towards Alfold and the Three Compasses.   When I booked, they told me that they were expecting a crowd that day as Top Gear was filming at nearby Dunsfold Aerodrome, but most had already gone into the aerodrome when we arrived.   The food took a little while to arrive, but we were sitting outside in the sun (for the first time this year, I think) and nobody seemed to mind too much.

Most definitely NOT outside a pub

For the return journey I tried to have a lot of miles of descent.  Okay, this meant a few short miles of ascent too.   A few headed direct to Guildford, and a few headed Eastwards towards Weare Street so we were about 15 starting the return journey.  We headed back to Cranleigh and disappointed some by avoiding Barhatch and ascending Winterfold instead (only 1 in 7 - so kind) with a long descent to Shere and then again avoiding White Down by ascending Combe Lane, giving us another freewheel (mostly) down to West Horsley.

A good day out, and a foretaste of summer rides.  Thank you to all who marked corners to give us a free flowing ride, to those who left gaps for motorists to overtake, and to Mike Barrett who kept us all together as back marker.