B Group - 1st May

The B group (13 strong) route took us to Effingham and then up High Barn Road to Ranmore Common, and then more up to the top of Whitedown. A quick descent to Raikes Lane and then even more up Abinger Lane to Abinger Common and up yet again up Leith Hill Road to finally a great descent to pick up Mole Street and on mainly downhill to Walliswood.
 
Our group was 1 down at lunch as Arwyn had a double puncture and decided that it was prudent to head for Coldharbour and Dorking and the train.
 
The Scarlet Arms had the tables laid for us and service was good and the food excellent, definitely a pub to revisit.

The return route took us along the delightful Weare Street which has been partly resurfaced, a great improvement after many years of dodging potholes. At the duck pond at Paynes Green we were hustled by a gaggle of geese (actually mainly ducks) and luckily we (Ian) had some food for them so we were allowed to pass.

Thanks to Robert for these photos and the one taken in Pilgrim Cycles

I reminisce but I used to sit on the bench by the pond and have my elevenses and share with the ducks, but over the last few years the attitude of the ducks has definitely deteriorated as they now help themselves to my food; must be bad influence from the geese.
 
On to Capel and Newdigate and then along the billiard table smooth Henfold Lane (resurfaced at last) to take Punchbowl Lane and Pixham Lane to tea at Pilgrim Cycles.
 
The Surrey Hills was at its best as promised - bluebells, blossom and the vivid fresh green of the trees and hedgerows - good weather and plenty of hills. I have noted to find some steeper hills next time as Dave 'Fixie' needs a challenge.
 
Thanks to Tim for back marking and for the corner markers and for the company.

~ Ken Day 

Note that North of Newdigate the map above does not show the actual route of the ride, due to the back marker/cartographer stopping to sort his chain out and failing to notice a corner marker at the junction of Henfold Lane. 

It was very nice of Ken to forgo the pleasures of riding with A Group to take us on a merry jaunt through the leafy greenery of the Surrey Hills. Good pace and distances for B Group over a well planned route, and a good pub too which for no good reason has not been visited by B Group for quite a long time. Thanks Ken.

~ Tim