B Group - 29th August

Overnight rain which was gradually moving eastwards with fine weather behind it, was still coming down at 9.00 a.m. for some and must have deterred a few from coming out to play.  However, despite these conditions, a fair number turned up at Leatherhead Day Centre and the weather did improve.  Indeed the sun was even trying to come out as B Group set off with a total of 16 riders, including newcomer Stephen, at approx. 11.30 a.m.  We headed straight to the path alongside the Dorking Road but soon turned off to go through the farm & came out on the path again, opposite Mickleham.  Taking the Mickleham Road, we rejoined the Dorking Road, crossed over via the underpass and continued to Deepdene Station where we re-crossed and headed up to the A25 roundabout.  After yet another crossing to the cycle path on the A25, we turned due south and straight up Punchbowl Lane.  Steep climbs are usually rewarded with good downhill runs and this one took us to Blackbrook Road.  We continued south to the Red Lane turn-off and another, lesser climb!  Now came the really enjoyable bit as we travelled due east along pleasant, flat, country lanes to the Tapners Road junction.  Turning left and heading northwards, we completed the square by going westwards on to Wellhouse Road, from which a right and a left brought us out on to Middle Street with the Brockham Cricket Club just up ahead at about 12.45 p.m.

Tables and chairs had been put out in the sunshine by Simon and were already being occupied by early arrivals.  We soon joined them & brought out our BYO picnic lunches. Tea & coffee were on offer in the clubhouse, also two cakes and a quiche kindly provided by Geoff and Carolyn.  After last year's rain, this year's picnic in the sun was a great success and much enjoyed - thank you to Simon and others involved. Thank you too to Frances and Mike B for more nice cakey things.

We are also very grateful for the donation given to the club by Ted Cole in May to remember his late brother George. The fee for the hire of the Cricket Club pavillion was met from his kind gift.

The afternoon ride was very straightforward - the usual route via the Golf Course, Pixham Lane, back to Leatherhead where traffic was heavy due to the closure of Young Street (road up to Bocketts).  We quickly escaped by going across on the path to the Fetcham Road, through Fetcham, up the hill (yes, another one!) with its glorious long downhill past the Yehudi Menuhin School, through Stoke D'Abernon, turning off to go via the Fairmile to the Portsmouth Road and so to the National Trust Cafe at Claremont where eight of us stopped for tea.  Thanks to Tim for back-marking and to all who came on the ride.

Gill Finlay

Panorama of lunching Wayfarers by Simon

 

Munching our way through the contents of our tuck boxes

Mmmm! Don't like the look of those black clouds

The new Stephen with Ian and Steph