As some of you are aware, I quite enjoy some of the scenic off road sections and hopefully the weather next week will still permit some of that before winter sets in.
I have also plotted a fully "on road" alternative in case of adverse weather AND to offer an alternative for a sub group that is averse to the proposed off-roading.
The morning ride will be around 21 miles and 1300ft of climbing, a somewhat meandering route to increase the mileage to lunch via Stoke D'A, Bookham common, Norbury Park, Boxhill and Headley. Other than Norbury Park, this will be familiar territory to most. The off road sections (Bookham common/Norbury) are typical of the level surfaced tracks we often frequent which are fine for road bikes. It includes a minor 100m detour to a nice view point The on road alternative route via Fetcham and down Patrick’s infamous Chapel Lane Hill is well known.
The afternoon ride will be around 19 miles and 1300ft of undulating climbing via Epsom Downs racecourse, Walton, Lower Kingwood , Hooley, Farthing Down and Chipstead to tea at Pistachios Banstead. There is only one brief early off-road section across the racecourse. A short unsurfaced section dips steeply down a narrow path to the the bottom of the (poorly paved) tarmac Ebbisham Lane. Where footpaths and bridleways briefly cross the racetrack and gallops, the surfacing there is "horse friendly" which is less "bike friendly". This section is certainly slightly more swashbuckling than the morning sections, but very scenic. It is quite rideable on a road bike with "winter" tyres if taken reasonably steadily. We will need brakes that work. Previous A group rides have done similar short tracks. The on road alternative skirts around the racecourse via Tattenham corner and Tadworth to Walton which again will be very familiar to many.
Subject to weather, ground conditions and willing riders, Brian and I plan to lead am/pm off road groups. Frances will lead an on road only group.
I will double check the off road sections on the Sunday or Monday before the ride.
On the day, sub groups may decide to mix and match the alternatives, say "off-road" am and "on road" pm. There should be a ride to suit everyone.
There will also be a simple emergency "bail out" option at Hooley to cut 6 miles off the pm ride if circumstances dictate.
Please Email me by 17:00 on Monday 5 October if you wish to join the ride but in your reply, please include in the Subject line your ride preference as one of the following:
On road / Gravel / Either (no preference). Otherwise I will assume no preference
I will try to groups allocate accordingly, but currently can only guarantee 6 "tarmac only" spaces including Frances on a first come first served basis.
On road / Gravel / Either (no preference). Otherwise I will assume no preference
I will try to groups allocate accordingly, but currently can only guarantee 6 "tarmac only" spaces including Frances on a first come first served basis.
Ride sub leaders may nominate a particular corner of the "Fields" for their sub group to assemble. I was advised that the Bs are also moving away from the previously used corner. If in doubt, please be ready at the appointed time adjacent to the British Legion.
Lunch
As the weather for outside lunches deteriorates, choosing a pub that can cater for our needs has become a tad harder. I have therefore planned the ride around a pub, rather than the other way around, from the Leg of Mutton Fields in Cobham to the Leg of Mutton and Cauliflower in Ashtead. The pub is usually fairly quiet midweek lunchtimes but I have booked and arranged with the landlady (Natalie) that she will reserve two interconnected back rooms that could safely accommodate the worst case scenario of a brief overlapping of all sub groups. There is also a covered outside option. I am seeing her again on Monday to finalise details. Table service only will apply. She will open the gate from the car park to the back garden for parking bikes for us.
I trust there is no need to reiterate all the usual COVID precautions (hands, face, space, rule of 6) that should now be second nature. I know its hard to resist the desire to greet other sub groups at pinch points, but lets play our part to keep Surrey safe.
As the weather for outside lunches deteriorates, choosing a pub that can cater for our needs has become a tad harder. I have therefore planned the ride around a pub, rather than the other way around, from the Leg of Mutton Fields in Cobham to the Leg of Mutton and Cauliflower in Ashtead. The pub is usually fairly quiet midweek lunchtimes but I have booked and arranged with the landlady (Natalie) that she will reserve two interconnected back rooms that could safely accommodate the worst case scenario of a brief overlapping of all sub groups. There is also a covered outside option. I am seeing her again on Monday to finalise details. Table service only will apply. She will open the gate from the car park to the back garden for parking bikes for us.
I trust there is no need to reiterate all the usual COVID precautions (hands, face, space, rule of 6) that should now be second nature. I know its hard to resist the desire to greet other sub groups at pinch points, but lets play our part to keep Surrey safe.
~ Dave Ferrett
No comments:
Post a Comment