First of all I would like to thank Tim and all the sub leaders (John A, Ken, Tim G) for their input towards this ride to Guildford, especially regarding closed roads etc. Thanks also to everyone who took part in the ride from the Vineries in the tropical conditions.
Over the years I have gained knowledge from the older and experienced leaders who have shown the way and I have added my little input into their rides, so I would like to thank them all.
Our group made it to the end of the line and we were ready for refreshments at the Kings Head Pub where they did us proud including the government discount, meanwhile other riders enjoyed a picnic in the Castle grounds.
Our group managed to avoid the worst of the downpour and although wet we soon dried out again when the weather returned to the heatwave. Paul left us at Cobham and we continued to the afternoon tea stop at the Prince of Wales in West End .
Regards
Tony
PS bring your swimming costumes next time!
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Ken writes:
Our group became three as Martin did not feel well at coffee, and as we climbed High Barn Lane Ian decided he would prefer to take a more direct route to Guildford as he has done very little riding recently. So Terry and I decided to pedal on, taking the familiar route down Crocknorth Road and up to Combe Bottom.
The diversion through Shere added more climbing and more traffic than normal but the road through Chilworth was unusually quiet. We enjoyed the bridleway to Tangley Manor, a first for both of us.
The Downs Link offered welcome shade and I think we took the right track (path) from Stone Bridge to meet the River Wey although it didn't seem to be on my map. From there the towpath was easy riding but busy.
Castle Gardens was very pretty and an ideal picnic stop. We met Ian on the High Street who was going to find a drink and then consider his options - maybe a train home.
Our twosome enjoyed the route out of Guildford and the section through the nature reserve was also a first for me.
Terry and I parted company at Ockham and I got to Cobham (home) just as the skies opened.
Ken
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Tim writes:
According to the map it wasn't entirely necessary to ride to the top of High Barn Lane to reach the bottom of Crocknorth Road before climbing up through Green Dene but we followed Tony's route as prescribed. Brenda suffered superfical damage to her arm when she fell during the descent of Crocknorth, due she thinks to not yet feeling very confident when coming down these steep hills where the rest of us have had many years of experience. But she rides up them with ease.
With major works on the wee bridge over the Tilling Bourne in Albury Street Tony had planned an alternative route to Albury involving Sandy Lane, Park Road and New Road, a very pleasant excursion.
In Chilworth, just beyond Tangley Mere we crossed the railway line and took a minor track through to Great Tangley Manor Farm and Wonersh Common to join the busier road to Wonersh and the Wey South Path on the Downs Link. Near Peasmarsh some in our group took a more direct route alongside the A248 while I decided to press on with the narrow paths leading to the Wey Navigation where large numbers of people were spread out along the river banks, picnicking, sun bathing and swimming.
The Kings Head was a good choice of pub with the Castle gardens just through the arch for those who wanted to sit outside and eat their packed lunches.
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| Guildford Castle (Brenda) |
After lunch we took the well-known route through Stokes Park and the Riverside (Wey) Park Nature Reserve. The atmosphere became increasingly heavy and brooding and when we reached Hungry Hill there was an almightly rumbling up in the firmament accompanied by flashes of lightning and down came the rain. By the time we were riding up Guileshill Lane we were enduring high gusty winds and a deluge. We pulled over in order to shelter under the trees but after a few minutes they ceased be of any use. At that moment a kind man emerged from one of the small cottages at Guileshill Farm and offered shelter to two wet cyclists inside and shelter for the rest of us under the umbrella by his front porch.
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| Waiting out the rain storm (Brenda) |
And so to Esher but unfortunately the terrace was closed by now so we skipped Tea and pressed on towards home.
Thanks to John for leading us and to Tony for coming up with such a challenging and interesting route.
~ Tim
3 comments:
I see now how the route came into being. As Isaac Newton said “it’s because I stood on the shoulders of great men” I guess for some riders, the decision not to ride, was harder, than the decision to ride.
Don't know why I got it so wrong! Sorry I did not make the kings head, I went to 3 pubs up the hill including the Robin Hood but they were all shut. I was trying to communicate my dilemma with my old Wei Wei forgetting that O2 had now commissioned my new I phone and the SIM etc was now dead. Three cheers for technology and the fact that I a nerd. Crossed with Ged on way back through Ashtead!
29 miles back to Walton le Hill and 14 miles to complete a KPRC 10 TT at 8pm.
Well done Mike, it's obvious that you had quite an adventure anyway, both on the road and with engaging in mortal combat with your 21st Century technology. But sorry we didn't see you at The Kings Head.
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