A Groups - 16th September

 Today we had three groups led by Frances, David Jackson and myself. So in the order of riding...

Frances:

Our group was ready to roll very promptly at the start and were great at sticking to the new rules.

We had a brisk pace to the pub aided by my experienced back marker, Neil for which many thanks for keeping us on the straight and narrow. We arrived ahead of schedule just before noon and the pub location, organisation and staff were fabulous. Definitely a place to go to again.

Having had a leisurely lunch we set off again around 1pm and important information such as how many hills awaited us before Denbies added to the excitement of the return journey! We said hello to Ken and Anne on Friday Street as we passed by. We enjoyed lovely lanes, undulations and quiet roads before making it to tea around 3.30pm where everyone enjoyed a well earned refreshment stop.

Thanks to the group for their lovely company and support. Also to the backmarker, Neil for all his help.

 

David:

 

After leaving Walton Brian’s ingenious route managed to get our group of six around Woking and on towards Guildford where we climbed the first hill at Tangier Road and onto Halfpenny Lane, here Garmin wanted me to head off up a track, fortunately only two others followed me. Suitably contrite we managed to arrive at the pub 15 minutes before our allotted time.

After a good but slightly leisurely lunch, Dave Ward left the group to attend to his allotments and the remaining five proceeded to spend the afternoon either climbing up hills or descending them.

For whatever reason, there does seem to be more traffic on the narrow lanes in the Surrey Hills and on a couple of occasions we were forced to pull in to the side and on one occasion stop close to the summit and walk around a vehicle.

However, we finally made it to Westcott down the lane and into Denbies, where three of us took refreshments.

A wonderful day out with great company and thanks to Brian for working out such a challenging and different route.

Brian:

I don't have a lot to add. I was glad I had ridden the complicated bits twice when my Garmin died soon after Pyrford. We noted that the new bridleway sign for Muddy Lane had been vandalised - clearly the "antis" are still fighting.

I also thought the Grantley Arms at Wonersh did us very well. One of the few places that still seem to have a full menu. We were finishing lunch as David's group prepared to leave so we ordered coffees to give them some space and linger in the sun. Service became a bit slow at this point and it was nearly 2.45 before we set off.

It was lovely to ride Thorncombe Street in such perfect weather ( it rained last time I led there) with the added bonus of a traffic free Run Common Road ( though someone had moved the barriers since Friday leaving less room for cyclists).

By Abinger it was clear that time was running out for tea so at Wotton we cut out Balchins Lane in favour of a dash along the A25 arriving at Denbies about 4.40.

 My thanks to Frances and David and all my group for a great day out.

 

The route is here