C group riders could choose to take the high road or the low road this week from coffee at Leatherhead to our lunch destination, the Watermill at Pixham.
Lynda kindly stepped in to lead the low road cycle route alongside the A24. Her group of four duly got to lunch about 10 minutes early and had the choice of tables on the lovely terrace looking up towards Box Hill.
Meanwhile Helen and Eric took their pods up the challenge route. Confusingly, this involved taking the Lower Road...it goes up quite a long way☺. We followed up to Effingham...and then took High Barn Road/Lane on ever upwards to Ranmore Common Road. We headed towards Denbies viewpoint, then past the church at the top to follow the path down through the vineyards past Denbies visitor centre. Crossing the A24, we made our way to lunch just a few minutes late (Eric's pod) and 15 minutes behind (mine). The odd thing was, my group had set out ahead and none of us had noticed passing the others, that was a bit of a mystery.
After lunch, Eric kindly offered a short extension to our tour. Five went with him to Betchworth Castle, historic ruins just a few minutes ride away, along a secret path near the entrance of the local golf club. You would never know it was there! Three enjoyed exploring inside the ruins while the sensible tendency took the walk around the outside of the walls and fence!
From there it was a fast dash back with the wind behind us up the A24, over Ashtead and Epsom Commons, arriving just in time for tea and cake at Old Moat Garden Centre near Horton Country Park.
1 comment:
And a splendid ride it was, too, Helen (and Eric). Thanks
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