After the rain apocalypse forecast by the Met office it was with some trepidation that eleven riders decided to take the plunge and ride. Ged, Dave Vine, Steve Wiltshire and I met at a grey rainy North Cheam at 8 am to ride to Tesco Hookwood. We were joined by Janice in Epsom. I was amazed because she is riding her route in preparation for leading next Wednesday's ride (with Brian who was also riding today) tomorrow. Anyway we arrived at Hookwood at 9.35 am, but Tesco was a little busier this time and the 'elite group' led by Ged and comprising Janice, Brian, Steve W. and Patrick left at 10.20 am. By this time the rain had reduced to fine drizzle and so we abandoned a shorter route plotted by Dave Vine for emergency bailout and opted for the entire off road route to HK. Group 2 left 20 minutes later comprising me, Dave Ward, Dave Vine, Dave Ferrett, Neil Warland and Geoff Gregory as back marker. Well it all went swimmingly. We arrived at 12.45 after Dave Ward left to return and took up seats inside for a drink and meal - like normal, but with 2 metre spacing.
We saw the first group in the covered area at the back, which I had reserved because of the rain and met some other cyclists who happened to be there from East Sussex CTC!
After lunch we left at 2pm and made our way North to Banstead in patchy, misty, rain that did not justify a waterproof, eventually arriving at 4.30 for a coffee.
It was a nice ride, but not at its best due to the rain. Next year will be better! My thanks go to Ged and Dave Vine, the key workers of the club, who volunteered to recce the ride and lead. I have learned much about the effort and experience they both put in to make the club work well. Thanks also to Geoff who seems to be flying along after a four month break, who was my trusty back marker.
Ged also provided some of the pictures and the following:
''Steve's meticulous planning paid-off. Many thanks for a well researched - and endlessly recced ride. (More trial runs and route options tested than a rides leader would do in an average year!).
Whilst I was notionally sub-leader for the first group to depart elevenses at Hookwood, (comprising Janice, Brian, Patrick and Steve Wiltshire) Brian was able to correct my errant navigation on numerous occasions. His Garmin-loaded route saved us from circling around Three Bridges, as well as getting us on-track along Worth Way. Thanks Brian.
Thanks also to Janice for backmarking: still an essential job, even in the new normal small groups.
(Despite being at the back Janice was first in The Green Man pub-thoughts of picnicking forgotten in the cool and rather damp conditions!)
In all, despite dire weather warnings, it was a long and rewarding ride, deserving of the surprisingly kind weather conditions that ensued. And a pint never tasted so good!"
4 comments:
I forgot to mention Steve’s thoughtful surprise of a real money bar-tab left with the landlord of the Green Man. It did nicely for coffees. Thanks again Steve.
Steve, you make it all sound so easy to organise. This was not an easy job for you, longer distances, less familiar roads, unpredictable weather, and our first venture inside a pub. Congratulations on a brilliant ride.
Thank you Steve, it was good to be back riding with a group, with the restrictions in force it still made for a good time. So good to see so many smiling faces.
As back marker (little to do with such a small group) it made for a very easy ride, only one incident? Dave V stopped to answer a phone call, saying to me to "go on" but as all back markers do I slowed down but as Dave was not soon in sight I phone Steve ( better known to me as Dave on the day) to say I had stopped, a short while later Dave V appeared and we rejoined the group.
Thanks again STEVE
What a brilliant ride and worth every penny! Many thanks Steve and leaders. I can highly recommend the sumptuous chocolate cake at the park café in Banstead - went down a treat.
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