A group ride Dorking - Slinfold - Effingham Vineries 14 October

 It was a mild sunny autumnal morning and 20 met in 4 separate groups. It was great to see Ged, who had ridden out to the start, looking fit and well.

The route to Slinfold and onward to Effingham Vineries was one that I'd ridden with Cheam & Morden in 2013 and it used some roads, part of the Downs Link and a pub that we Wayfarers have rarely used. In the case of the South to North ascent of Whitedown there's good reason for that! 

Mike Reynell led a speedy group, so fast in fact that they arrived at the pub early.

Dave Vine led the next group and reports a scenic route with some nice viewpoints, and a bit of variety on the Downs Link. For a sub-leader it had the benefit of being more or less in a straight line out and back which simplified navigation.

Our group left about 5 minutes late, after pausing to welcome the return of Ged who had just arrived. After a brisk ascent up to Coldharbour we had our only puncture. No matter, with lots of help we were on our way after around 15 minutes. 

The Leith Hill descent was more like a river bed than a road, but the nicely resurfaced Mole St is always enjoyable. We took an alternative to the A281 through Broadbridge Heath which was greeted with relief from a peloton preferring quieter roads.

We made good progress helped by a tailwind and rolled into the pub around 12.20, just ahead of the following group. The staff invited us to sit next to the carvery, but its delights are not for the cyclist, and the only use we made of it was to supply extra horseradish for my beef sandwich.

Back on the road around 1.35 we made good progress on the Downs Link, though the bumpy surface was not universally popular. Off the Downs Link the headwind made itself felt, to be followed by a succession of climbs becoming progressively more taxing on tired legs. So it was with relief we rolled into the Vineries. Three of us stopped for tea and rather nice flapjacks.

Thanks to my fellow riders for being such good company and especially to Keith for back marking.

Brian reports a really nice ride and good to go somewhere we haven't visited for a long time. Thank you.

We made good progress on the outward journey, avoiding the A281 via the lanes to Broadbridge Heath and navigating the new traffic arrangements at the roundabout. My plans for a tidy right turn into Lyons Road for Slinfold were put into disarray by the sound of a siren and an ambulance heading south. So we had to pull in and stop, then wait for the accumulated traffic to pass.

We arrived just after Dave's group so most of the team decided to follow their sandwiches with apple crumble to give Dave time to get away. Little did we realise that this would also allow Janice's group to overtake us as our lunch was quite a long time coming.

Any chance of getting home with a clean bike was destroyed in Spring Lane - covered in mud from a building site. In contrast most of the Downs Link was bone dry. 

Somersbury Lane showed signs of a recent downpour but we only had a few spots of rain. ( Did any of the groups get wet?). Whitedown was tough though the traffic was fairly considerate. 

My group finally left and arrived in reasonable time at the Red Lyon. A quick sandwich appeared to allow us to jump the queue in the kitchen and we were just about ready to leave by the time Brian's group had been served their mountains of food. Eager to leave in order to avoid the forecast 3 hours of showers we set off and happily the sun stayed shining. The Downs Link was less gritty and muddy than some of the roads and the descent of Whitedown was busier than the A281 had been, particularly worrying was a wide and very speedy tractor. The descent of Critten Lane made up for it as it was wide with good tarmac and visibility. 

A good day out in lovely sunshine and thanks to those who gave some great feedback. Particular thanks to Brian, Dave V and Mike for sub-leading and Dave F for back marking my group.