A cold
bright day to explore Brian’s route to Warnham.
15 of us
left Redhill via the Asylum Arch Road path past the hospital. We crossed the
A23 at Salfords using the new cycle friendly path, and the A217 at the not so
friendly Hookwood roundabout. The route took us on roads which were not so
familiar to me, taking in the views from Russ Hill, and the nearby postmill, curiously
situated in a hollow.
We made
good progress with the help of a slight tailwind, arriving at the Sussex Oak
shorty before 1pm. Helpfully the pub had reserved tables for us in front of the
log fire. Lunch was served promptly for most, but not all, with a bit of
confusion over who got what sandwich. Even so we were finished by 2pm.
Brian had
warned me about a cyclist unfriendly “No Right Turn” sign onto the busy A281
from Strood Lane, so we took a direct on the quieter A29 for a mile, as far as
Okewood Hill. Our route was directly north, into the wind, to Holmbury St Mary,
before a slightly unwelcome ascent of White Down. Critten Lane was at last unobstructed, so we made it to Carolina’s in Bookham shortly before 4pm. This was a new venue
to me, and well worth a revisit, with cycle parking in the ally to the side.
Distance
22 miles before lunch at a wind assisted 13.9mph, 17 miles to tea at a wind and
gradient challenged 12.2mph. 2,300ft climbing. Thankfully no punctures or
mechanicals, but Geoff sadly could not join us due to a clicky wheel bearing at
Redhill.
Thanks to
Ged for patiently back marking, and all corner markers; and thanks Brian for
excellent route preparation.
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