Leaving 3 As behind at Redhill, but joined with new rider Alistair - (welcome Alistair!), 18 left for the shortish 18mile ride to Cowden. A sharp climb on Philanthropic Road got the legs working, and the rest of the outward trip via Outwood, Horne, Lingfield and Dormansland was easy rolling. Furnace Lane, just before Cowden, follows lakes and the Kent Water, was full of bird-song, with our progress only slightly disrupted having to walk through unforeseen road works.
Dave (W) departed, but we were joined by Geoffrey for our pre-ordered lunches in the lovely beer garden at the Fountain Inn. (Cowden is an interesting location, where the 3 counties of Kent, Surrey, and East Sussex all meet).
Our 26mile ride to tea at Banstead was interrupted by Dave's double puncture at Chat Hill, just before the climb up Tilburstowhill. Also with Hans's rubbing disc. However this gave the opportunity for the group to recover at the viewpoint after the climb - with Mike perhaps regretting his lunchtime pint of Harvey's! (Photo by Simon).
The short off-road section between Bletchingly and Merstham picks-up SUSTANS 21, Greenwich to Gatwick route, and like most of these routes is only good in parts. However it got us over the M25/M23 junction and on our way to Gatton Bottom and the climb up Markedge Lane. Avoiding the roadworks in Hazelwood Lane we arrived in Banstead just before 5.00pm - unfortunately too late for Pistachios Cafe. However, on Frances's recommendation, 12 of us made for Cafe Italia, where we were made very welcome.
Thanks to Mike (B) - as always, for back-marking, and for all corner-markers. (The only mishap was the very last corner into Banstead High Street, where without a marker, Mike took Hans and Steve on a detour before tea).
And finally, it looks like I'm trying to strangle Janice, but as Mike (R) has captioned his photo with "Would you mind holding these for me for a minute", I would never do such a thing. Thanks Mike!
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