B Group - 16th May

We had a pleasant surprise at Elevenses with Andy and Sandra Bowskill coming to join us for a cuppa. Less than four weeks ago he had major surgery, and to rebuild his fitness Andy has been going for walks in Bushy Park and in the not too distant future he intends to start riding again, gently at first of course. It was also very nice to have Irene riding with us again. She hasn't forgotten us after all.

Twenty two of us left the Elleray Hall at 11:08 and instead of the customary prologue touring Bushy Park we headed straight down Chestnut Avenue and across the Hampton Court Bridge.

One of the themes of the day was riding on a number of unpaved tracks and roads, starting with the path through Littleworth Common. Next, after skirting around Claygate, was Common Lane, leading on to Holroyd Road to connect with New Road. There were a few squishy bits of mud to negotiate but we all arrived without mishap at Fairoak Lane which we crossed and carried on along The Avenue in Prince’s Coverts. It was only recently that I found out that there are no longer the old locked gates and that via some rather awkward kissing gates we can ride in the Coverts, through to d’Abernon Chase and out on to the Leatherhead Road.

Apparently Prince, later King Leopold I of Belgium lived on the Claremont Estate in the early 19th century and acquired this nearby common land which became known as the Prince’s Coverts. Leopold I shouldn’t be confused with his nasty son Leopold II who achieved fame for his tyranny and appalling atrocities in Africa.

We crossed the Leatherhead Road and headed straight into the trees again, this time riding on the lovely path along the top of Ashtead Common, until Woodcock Corner where we turned south to ride through Epsom Common to emerge in Ashtead. We joined Farm Lane and made for Headley before turning into Slough Lane and Lodgebottom Road where we whizzed downhill all the way to the pub.

We had pre-ordered our food and as a result the service was very efficient. The food there is pretty good and I would look forward to going again. With a bit of time slippage and Theresa getting a puncture we didn’t get to the pub until around 1:30 and allowing for a slightly later arrival of Theresa, and Ed who had gallantly helped her with her puncture, it was not until 2:40 that we got away on the afternoon ride. In anticipation of the steep climb up Ranmore Common Road a number of people made excuses, saying they would rather ride up Box Hill. John Scott had a more acceptable excuse which was that he was going to head for home so that he could go and visit Robin who is now in the Nursing Centre in Chiswick.

So a considerably diminished team zoomed up the hill, unfortunately losing Terry to a puncture. But from the entrance to Denbies the rest of us had a great ride along the top eventually to descend at speed down Crocknorth Road. Thence, via Dirtham Lane and Bookham Common we arrived at Bronte’s for coffee and cake. I still don’t know why the name is spelled like that but at least their coffee is good.

Thank you to John Austin for what was a quite complicated tour of duty as back marker, and to several people who marked corners and did a lot to keep the show rolling. It was jolly cold later in the day, but a good day out all the same, with some unfamiliar paths explored and a hilly challenge to warm us up in the afternoon.

Thanks to Steph for this photo

~ Tim