B Group ride out of Redhill on 23 September

 

Wednesday’s B Group ride is from Redhill.  The course is thirty miles and includes a few exciting features. 

We will use the country park exit from Redhill, through Nutfield to Wasp Green and Outwood, through Whitewood and up Byers Lane to the A22 just north of Blindley Heath.  So far, so fairly familiar.  At Brindley Heath, however, we will go left on the A22 and immediately right on Danemoor Lane; this will eventually, after a half mile or so of off road, take us to Tandridge Lane, where we will turn north.

Lunch at the Barley Mow at Tandridge, which is open but not serving food, so we will have to take sandwiches.  The landlady is happy for us to eat our sandwiches if we buy drinks.

Thus far about 14 miles over rolling roads, the only real hill being Church Hill out of Redhill.

The afternoon is 16 miles and tougher.  First we cross the A25 and climb Tandridge Hill Lane and then Gangers Hill (less steep) to the top of the North Downs.  We coast down through Woldingham to the A22 roundabout below Caterham, where we go under the road and avoid the grind of climbing Burntwood Lane by going through Manor Park and climbing Salmons Lane instead.  This is also steep.  At the top of the hill we spend a little time, weather permitting, visiting the RAF tribute at Kenley.  Then we descend Old Lodge Lane to Purley fire station before climbing through the private millionaire’s estate to Woodcote Village Lane.  Climbing done, it is along the ridge past Clock House, through the woods to Woodmansterne and along the road to Banstead, where we can have coffee either at Pistachio’s or at the Italian coffee shop on the High Street.  If it's a sunny day I could be persuaded to end the ride at the Woodman in Woodmansterne for a well-earned pint.

Three serious hills, all in the afternoon.  Three pieces of off road; the drove road out of Brindley Heath is rough going clay and grass for just over a half mile.  Manor Park at the bottom of Burntwood Lane is a gravel track for a few hundred yards.  The path through the woods between Clock House and Woodmansterne is fairly straightforward, less than half a mile.

The route can be found on Strava but note this includes my ride to Redhill (which includes another big hill) and my ride home.  https://strava.app.link/HBZtT3PIS9

If you want to come, please e-mail me at Paulandrewjames1949@yahoo.com before bedtime on Monday.