A Group - 3rd May. Cobham to Loxwood, tea at Westhumble.

Another (unseasonably) cold day for 16 A's today for our ride to Loxwood. Under leaden skies we made swift work of Green Dene, followed by descents of Combe and Barhatch, through Cranleigh and on to the Onslow Arms, via Tismans Common.

The promise of sunshine tempted the more hardy to sit in the blooming flower pub garden, but with temperatures still in single figures there was no time to linger. Our return took us through Rudgwick and the 'four Greens' -  (Cox, Ellen's, Mayes and Forest).

I had promised one hill-climb - as opposed to easy 'altitude gains', but with a little encouragement from Mark, opted for Tanhurst at 21%, rather than the modest Leith Hill Lane, up to Coldharbour. Still, Jenny found it a bit challenging, once again coming-a-cropper on one of my rides, but thankfully again to no obvious ill-effects. Relief! We made our fastest descent of the day down Coldharbour Lane, with Mark not quite hitting his normal max. of 50mph.

Tea was at Pilgrim Cycles for 11 of us at 4.00pm, aware that rain was forecast towards evening.

Simon's Garmin read exactly 1000m. of ascent - a fact! (But it was still only one hill!)

Thanks to Colin for back marking. It's going to be summer next week!