A Group ride from Redhill

 

A reduced number of eight riders left Redhill in two groups on a day that promised a sprinkling of rain. Mark has described the route very well in his report (see below) so I won’t go into any more detail other than to comment on the fact that we encountered a number of new patches of tarmac on route. So great to ride on but they only serve to highlight the sections of potholes filled in with bits of road. The rain held off until lunch when Charlwood appeared to be the epicentre of a deluge, not a sprinkling. Thankfully, buoyed by a good lunch both groups made it to Box Hill/Leatherhead without any more rain. 

Many thanks to all who rode with me, Patrick, Dave, Frances and Steve and a special thanks to Mark for leading his group.

Mark’s report: Five of us, Dave F, Dave W, Geoff, Gina and myself made a brisk start from Redhill, hampered after a mile or two by road works.  However, the delay was slight, and we were soon over Tilburstow and taking the Eastern loop of the Surrey Cycleway at a good clip.  The weather was generally OK, some milky sunshine from time to time, and we made the traditional stop at Crowhurst to see the Yew.

Through Horley on the Avenue Verte, a passer-by asking admiringly if were going to Paris, round the top of the airport where we saw a plane - rare enough, these days, and in to the pub at Charlwood in good time.  We were expected, made welcome, and enjoyed our lunches.

Leaving after lunch it was pretty wet, but we rode away from the rain quite quickly, and had a good run through Parkgate and then down Root Hill.  A bit of route revision was needed here, as the ‘Road Closed’ signs turned out to be true, with some heavy machinery working on the railway arch and making the road impassable.  Back round through Brockham, Dave W took the Coach Road and the rest of us took the cycleway alongside the A25.

Just outside Denbies Gina punctured, and Hans’ gang went past as we fixed it. Back on the road a few minutes later, Dave F and Geoff heading off home leaving Gina and me to ride up Box Hill.  At the top, we met Hans’ group, and had a short chat before making our farewells.

A good ride that made the best of an unpromising day.